Homelessness

The law bans sleeping, camping or setting up long-term shelters on state-owned land. Multiple lawsuits against the measure by homeless advocates have been filed, though no rulings have been issued.

The nonprofit Doorways, which connects people living with HIV/AIDS with housing, is celebrating its expansion on a brand-new $40 million campus in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood.

On Dec. 1, the City of St. Louis launched winter operations to help support people without housing during the coldest months of the year. Community volunteers and organizers who work to support those who are homeless, however, have serious concerns.

A St. Louis ordinance lets courts banish people from huge swaths of the city as a punishment for petty crimes. These neighborhood orders of protection often prevent people from accessing the services they need and raise constitutional questions.

Doorways opened a 50-apartment complex in Jeff-Vander-Lou, and St. Patrick Place is making 24 apartments available for homeless people in the Greater Ville. But advocates say more help is needed.

Homelessness in the St. Louis region has been increasing over the past few years because of the lack of affordable housing, the coronavirus pandemic and increased rent. Advocates for homeless people say a new Missouri law that will make living on state-owned property illegal on Jan. 1 will exacerbate the problem.

The elections bill was just one piece of legislation Parson signed into law on Wednesday. Others included funding charter schools, bills related to utilities and another barring homeless people from sleeping on state-owned land.

Some members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen want to bar people from pitching tents in public right of ways in St. Louis.

City officials canceled plans to fund a low-barrier shelter with Bridge of Hope and are looking for a new provider. In the meantime, providers are relying on private donations for pop-up shelters.

Washington University instructor Quinn Tyminski and her students have made big inroads with St. Louis’ homeless community. Their weekly occupational therapy clinic seeks to help people move from surviving to thriving.