The 2023 St. Louis housing summit

The 2023 St. Louis Housing Summit took place at the First Lutheran Church Thursday. Community members gather to listen to a panel of tenets and landlords to discuss barriers the homeless face to secure stable housing. Housing insecurity is a growing issue in the northland, often those who are in the most need don’t know where to begin looking, this annual summit offers provides a space to start the journey.

“There are many things that go with housing stabilization that could include recovery, that could include getting your kids back, that can include jobs, that can include housing, mental health. ” says Valerie Joeckel, Family Coach with Chum.

The goal of the event was to share the resources that are available within the community to help get those in need into secure and affordable housing here in the Northland.

“It’s a collaborative of people have a lived experience and then bridging the gap of homelessness, education, resources, knowledge and next steps.” Said October Allen, founder and executive director of Grace Place. “People that have lived experience that can offer hope to people that are current in a situation of homelessness to provide like to provide steps and education on services that would bridge the gap from homelessness to having housing.”

St. Louis county housing resources

Arc Northland: https://arcnorthland.org/
Coordination Entry System: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/public-health-human-services/housing-and-homeless-programs/coordinated-entry-system-ces
United Way 211: https://www.211unitedway.org/
Grace Place/Zachary Place: https://graceplacehousingsupport.com/