Homeownership is a major milestone, offering security and building equity, but it remains out of reach for many in our community. At the same time, many homes and neighborhoods around St. Louis are falling into disrepair. St. Joseph Housing Initiative (SJHI) aims to address both of these problems. Since 2019, the nonprofit has acquired and restored homes in the Dutchtown and Carondelet neighborhoods to help first-time homebuyers of low and moderate income purchase them. We spoke to executive director Christy McCutcheon to learn more about the nonprofit’s work.

What is the mission of SJHI?
As a faith-based organization, we create vibrant communities where low- and moderate-income families can thrive and prosper. We revitalize vacant and dilapidated properties in our footprint neighborhoods and sell exclusively to this community. We want to help families build generational wealth and strengthen neighborhoods.

Where did the idea for organization come from?
Bridget Flood, executive director of the Incarnate Word Foundation, and Mike England, president of St. Mary’s High School, were inspired by the Ferguson Commission, which revealed long-standing housing discrimination and inadequate lending. They approached Archbishop Robert Carlson for the initial seed money, and their efforts turned into SJHI. Since 2019, we have sold 17 homes–14 in Dutchtown and three in Carondelet. We’re currently working on five properties, and we hope to have four completed in 2026.

Why is affordable housing an important issue in the St. Louis region?
Homeownership provides stability, opportunity, dignity and financial security. More homeowners on a block also builds a stronger neighborhood, leading to more long term investment and revitalizing the community. UMSL did a crime study and found that in Dutchtown, there has been a 50% decrease in crimes against property and a 30% decrease in crimes against people. That’s one significant way SJHI’s work impacts neighborhoods.

What kinds of homes does SJHI renovate?
We acquire properties in a variety of ways. We purchase them from owners who have left homes unoccupied, we partner with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, and sometimes properties are donated. Once we have ownership, we put together a comprehensive plan for renovation, which typically involves all major systems and structures—new roof, electric, sewer, plumbing, flooring, heating and cooling, structural improvements, appliances. We want to set our first-time homeowners up for success. We don’t want them to have to choose between paying their mortgage or replacing the HVAC system. A renovation takes nine to 12 months. We take a loss on every property. It’s not a great business model, but we’re really fortunate to have the support of the community.

How do you work with people to prepare them for homeownership?
We offer a Homeowner Readiness Academy. It’s required for anywho who purchases a SJHI property, but it’s also open to anyone who is interested in homeownership. The four-part series covers topics like building a budget, understanding credit, the closing process and basic home maintenance. We bring in other homeowners in the neighborhood to share their knowledge and create connections. SJHI also provides $5,000 in down payment assistance through a five-year forgivable loan. We sponsor a trip to Home Sweet Home, so they can furnish their home without having to go into more debt. We provide a homeowner start kit, which includes things like cleaning supplies, towels, a shower curtain, an electric lawnmower, a dehumidifier and a Ring doorbell system.

How can people support SJHI?
We rely on volunteers to reduce the cost of our renovations. Along with skilled volunteers for various projects, we need people to help with cleaning, yardwork, sorting and more. We also can always use financial support or in-kind donations of construction materials. We cannot do our work alone. We count on the community to support us in many ways. Together, we can bridge the gap between low- and moderate-income families and homeownership.

For more information, visit stjosephhousing.org.

Photos courtesy of St. Joseph’s Housing Initiative