ST. LOUIS — Affordable housing continues to be in dire need across our city and thanks to federal funding, more options are available.
A ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning will celebrate new affordable apartments in The Ville Neighborhood. The new Alumnus Gardens Apartments is a collaboration between the Nash Group, Vecino Group and CareSTL Health.
The 60 mixed-income apartments on St. Louis Avenue in North St. Louis will be near the Ville Wellness Campus. Developers said this is a crucial part of the project, since it will provide neighbors immediate access to health care.
A portion of the apartments were made possible thanks to $2 million in ARPA funds. This all comes as the clock is ticking for the City of St. Louis and the rest of the country to earmark its pandemic funds.
Local governments must return ARPA grants that remain unassigned by the end of this year. The funds must be spent by the end of 2026.
St. Louis received nearly $500 million. According to the city's website, more than $300 million have been delegated, but only $155 million have been spent.
The 60-units opening up Tuesday in North St. Louis is just a small piece of what's been developed and what's to come. Thanks to ARPA funds and housing projects grants, the city committed $20 million to develop 952 affordable units across the city.
The ribbon cutting ceremony is on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at 4409 St. Louis Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115.