We are a coalition of partners dedicated to
reducing the negative impact of vacant property in the City of St. Louis
reducing the negative impact of vacant property in the City of St. Louis
Understanding the Impact of VacancySince its population peak in 1950, St. Louis City has experienced a 63% decline in population that has left behind some 24,000 vacant properties. Our community has one of the highest vacancy rates in the country. Read more
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A New Partnership for 2023-2025: The Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI)
The Vacancy Strategy Initiative is a two-year-long partnership between the City of St. Louis's Community Development Administration and the STL Vacancy Collaborative (VC).
This initiative is the culmination of years of grassroots engagement, research, and work done by the VC to develop resources and enable communities to more effectively, efficiently, and equitably address vacancy. This effort will solidify the intended partnership between the City and the VC and will ensure that solving the vacancy crisis in St. Louis happens intentionally, with all stakeholders at the table.
This initiative is the culmination of years of grassroots engagement, research, and work done by the VC to develop resources and enable communities to more effectively, efficiently, and equitably address vacancy. This effort will solidify the intended partnership between the City and the VC and will ensure that solving the vacancy crisis in St. Louis happens intentionally, with all stakeholders at the table.
Goals of the VSI
- Interagency Coordination & Community Engagement: This pillar includes interagency planning, implementation, and coordination meetings with various City departments and agencies responsible for administering vacancy prevention and reduction programs. The VC will also expand on their community engagement efforts and hold at least 4 public meetings a year articulating and soliciting input on the City’s vacancy strategy.
- Metrics, Maps, and Cost Analysis: This pillar involves the creation and maintenance of public-facing metrics and maps that track vacant properties and associated city expenditures, building on the VC’s existing tools and with the support of the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance. Additionally, a comprehensive cost of vacancy analysis will provide insights into the direct and indirect costs of vacancy, including impacts on property values and tax collection, impacts on neighborhoods, and the cost of City services.
- Vacant Lot & Building Management & Redevelopment Strategy: Based on the engagement and data analysis conducted (see above) the vacancy strategy initiative will develop prioritization models and policies to support the equitable and efficient allocation of resources for building stabilization, demolition, lot maintenance, and beautification. In addition, at the conclusion of the engagement, the VC will deliver a final report including operational, programmatic, and policy proposals with broad support from City stakeholders and the public.
In Memory of Sundy E. Whiteside
Photo provided by Humans of St. Louis. Original from the 2021 CBN Award for Resident Leadership.
Sundy Whiteside, resident of the Walnut Park East neighborhood, Co-Founder/Co-Chair of the St. Louis Vacancy Collaborative's Steering Committee, and Board President of the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) passed away on December 6, 2023.
She was an inspiration to many for her ceaseless desire to collectively work towards an "ideal St. Louis" in which "we create excellent and racially just outcomes through responsive government, strong communities, action that promotes socioeconomic and racial equity, just development, affordable housing, connective technology, and the highest quality free schools in the country."
Sundy will be greatly missed, and we will continue to follow in her footsteps along the path to fulfilling her vision.
She was an inspiration to many for her ceaseless desire to collectively work towards an "ideal St. Louis" in which "we create excellent and racially just outcomes through responsive government, strong communities, action that promotes socioeconomic and racial equity, just development, affordable housing, connective technology, and the highest quality free schools in the country."
Sundy will be greatly missed, and we will continue to follow in her footsteps along the path to fulfilling her vision.
