ST. LOUIS — Mayor Tishaura Jones stopped by the Heritage House Housing Fair at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Wednesday afternoon. The City of St. Louis organized the fair in partnership with numerous public agencies and housing groups.
Jones told 5 On your Side it is unusual for city government to organize emergency housing fairs, "this is outside of our scope but there were so many residents that were affected by the water main breaks during the cold snap that we had that they were put out of their homes. Almost a 150 seniors now have no where to live."
Nearly 90 seniors were served at Tuesday's housing fair. Anneliese Stover of the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging told 5 On Your Side, "it's been amazing to see the housing community really rise to the occasion of providing assistance."
5 On Your Side spoke with many residents in attendance on Wednesday. A majority of them said they were grateful for the help, but they wished there was some way they could just go home to Heritage House.
Through Feb. 6, displaced Heritage House residents are staying at the Hilton St. Louis Airport. Aid agencies are providing breakfast lunch and dinner. Heritage House management is paying for their stay.
Jones said while she would love for residents to say in St. Louis, "our goal is to make sure people get housed no matter where they go." She acknowledged the city may not have the capacity to accommodate everyone.
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