The City of St. Louis has begun accepting applications for the new Impacted Tenants Fund, a relief program created to support renters who were forced to relocate after their homes were condemned or damaged beyond habitability during the May 16 tornado. The program provides a one-time payment equal to one month of rent, calculated using the 2025 HUD Fair Market Rate for the size of the former unit. Applications are processed through Employment Connection.
The fund was established under Ordinance 71840 and financed through federal American Rescue Plan dollars. Although the program was authorized in 2024, application intake did not begin until November 21, 2025. City officials describe the fund as a way to offer short-term stability to residents who had no choice but to leave their homes.
Who qualifies
Applicants must meet specific criteria outlined by the city:
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The displaced rental unit must be located within the City of St. Louis.
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The home must have been condemned by the City Building Division on or after January 1, 2025, or made uninhabitable as a result of the May 16 tornado.
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Renters must provide a signed lease for the impacted unit, a valid photo ID, and proof of occupancy such as a utility bill, voter registration card, bank statement, or government-issued mail tied to that address.
Applications may be submitted online or in person at Employment Connection’s office at 2838 Market Street. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The city has not announced an application deadline or published the total amount allocated for the program.
How much assistance is available
The Impacted Tenants Fund offers a one-time payment equal to one month of rent. The amount is determined using HUD’s 2025 Fair Market Rates rather than the tenant’s actual rent. The intention is to help displaced households manage immediate expenses like moving costs, security deposits, or temporary housing needs.
A helpful boost, but not a full solution
While the program provides meaningful support, it does not resolve the larger challenges facing renters who suddenly lose their housing. A single month of rent can help bridge a critical gap and give families room to regroup. It can also prevent a sudden crisis from turning into a deeper spiral.
At the same time, the long-term impact of displacement reaches far beyond what a one-time payment can cover. Many condemned units suffer from chronic deferred maintenance, and tornado-damaged buildings may remain offline for extended periods. Reentering the rental market often means higher housing costs, application fees, transportation expenses, and the emotional strain of navigating an unexpected move.
The program’s limitations stem from the rules attached to federal rescue funds. Because the city is using American Rescue Plan dollars, the money must be distributed in a specific way, must avoid overlapping with FEMA assistance, and must be administratively simple enough to deliver quickly. Within those constraints, a streamlined, single-month benefit was the most feasible approach.
Regional impact
Although the fund applies only to renters within the City of St. Louis, the effects of displacement typically ripple into surrounding communities with similar affordability levels. When lower-cost units are suddenly taken out of circulation due to condemnation or storm damage, displaced households often seek new housing in neighborhoods like Ferguson, Jennings, Dellwood, Florissant, or South City. These areas already carry much of the region’s naturally occurring affordable housing, so an influx of renters can further tighten inventory and increase competition. Understanding how the Impacted Tenants Fund works helps housing providers and community members anticipate these shifts and support families facing sudden instability.
Karen Moeller
🌐 STLKaren.com
📧 Karen.McNeill@STLRE.com
📞 314.678.7866
About the Author:
Karen Moeller, REALTOR® and St. Louis Real Estate News writer, holds AHWD, SRES®, and ABR® designations. Her renovation & rental background helps clients navigate the St. Louis market with confidence.
