Evictions

St. Louis aldermen are planning to bring back a proposal that would provide tenants facing eviction with legal representation.

The City of St. Louis is disbanding a homeless encampment on Friday at the Laclede’s Landing Pavilion behind the Horseshoe Casino.

The measure directs $5 million from the remaining pot of federal COVID relief money toward contracts with individual attorneys and legal aid agencies. Tenants facing eviction or utility shut-offs would be entitled to an attorney.

Local shelters are overwhelmed and at capacity. Inflation and evictions this year are increasing the number of pet surrenders.

St. Louis cleared two homeless camps on Monday. The fate of a larger encampment is unclear.

Residents of four St. Louis encampments are now packing up their belongings in anticipation of a May 2 eviction. City officials cite health concerns, but residents question the timing of the city’s notice to vacate.

Backers of the legislation claim it's a way of protecting property rights and contract law.

Over 2,300 households have been evicted in St. Louis and St. Louis County since the beginning of the pandemic. Some people have received rental aid from federal programs, but city and county officials say if not for eviction moratoriums and rental assistance programs, more people would have lost their homes.

Action St. Louis and Arch City Defenders will host a town hall for renters at 6 p.m. today. Renters from the St. Louis area can speak with housing advocates about housing issues, eviction questions and how to build a tenant-led housing movement in St. Louis.

St. Louis County Council passed a bill to pause evictions during the holidays. The council also approved $5 million of federal funds to provide about 30 days of emergency rental assistance.