The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has awarded nonprofit Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) nearly $3.5M in a combination of federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and of Missouri Affordable Housing Assistance Program tax credits plus $3M in federal funding to begin construction on the redevelopment of Clinton-Peabody, one of St. Louis’ original public housing developments. Built in 1942, Clinton-Peabody has significant challenges with existing buildings, systems and public safety and is in need of substantial improvements. The awarded Clinton-Peabody Redevelopment – Phase 1 is in partnership with St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA), Clinton-Peabody residents, and the Clinton-Peabody Tenant Advisory Board.
In November 2022, SLHA and a committee of residents and community stakeholders chose Chicago-based POAH to lead the resident-centered redevelopment plans for the multi-phased redevelopment which will eventually create 350 new mixed-income apartments and affordable for-sale homes around a reconfigured street grid, renovated Al Chappelle Community Center and new central park.
All current Clinton-Peabody residents will have the opportunity for new housing in the redeveloped community. Temporary onsite transfers of current residents to refreshed on-site units began in 2023 to help make way for the proposed Phase I redevelopment site.
The LIHTC program gives State and local LIHTC-allocating agencies budget authority to issue tax credits for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of rental housing targeted to lower-income households. MHDC’s 2025 funding award consists of:
- $1,470,000 in federal 9% LIHTCs
- $1,029,000 in state 9% LIHTCs (State LIHTC Accelerated Redemption Pilot Program)
- $3,000,000 in National Housing Trust Funds
- $1,000,000 in state Affordable Housing Assistance Program tax credits
The total development cost for Clinton-Peabody Redevelopment – Phase 1 is approximately $32 million.
“POAH is very excited to be working with such a dedicated group of partners and funders to create a development built on the vision of residents and local community members that honors the past legacy of this housing and that will allow everyone to flourish in the future and be proud to call home,” said POAH President/CEO Aaron Gornstein.
Phase I includes 89 multi-family housing apartments with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms serving households with a range of incomes, primarily households at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). Later phases will include an additional 259 mixed-income apartments in a mix of garden-style and townhome buildings, creating a diverse array of housing options.
Although existing housing subsidy will be preserved, all apartments will be new construction with access to community amenities and designed with best practices in sustainability, traumainformed care and universal design by St. Louis-based design firm Trivers.
“SLHA is thrilled about the redevelopment, which will meet the modern needs of our families while honoring Clinton-Peabody’s legacy as a cornerstone of the community,” said SLHA Executive Director Latasha Barnes. “This historic neighborhood has been home to many of St. Louis’s most accomplished residents, and we look forward to a bright future as we work alongside our residents and partners to further strengthen this legacy.”
POAH’s property management company, POAH Communities, will manage the properties and provide service-enriched programs to residents in coordination with local partners, including financial education, youth and senior programs, health, housing stability and homeownership readiness. The development is close to employers, service providers and anchor institutions in the downtown and central corridor including the headquarters of Ameren and Purina, and will enhance other nearby reinvestment plans for Gateway South, King Louis Square, Old Frenchtown, the Brickline and the planned Metrolink expansion.
Key development partners include: POAH; SLHA; Clinton-Peabody residents; Clinton-Peabody Tenant Advisory Board; Trivers; Roanoke Construction; David Mason & Associates; Custom Engineering, Inc.; Central Energy Audits; Arbolope; Key Strategic Group; Unicorn Group; and Lamar Johnson Collaborative. Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Prosperity Connection, Employment Connection, St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center and an array of leading service and economic empowerment partners will be engaged in a robust service plan focused on helping residents maintain housing stability and access new opportunities to achieve their goals for success.
“After 56 years living at Clinton-Peabody, it’s more than a home to me,” said Pamela Emrick, a long-time Clinton-Peabody resident and Clinton-Peabody Tenant Advisory Board President. “To others it may just be public housing, but it’s more than that, because we all became a family.
More information on the project, visit clintonpeabodystl.org.
Posted: January 14, 2025