Repairing Homes, Preserving Generational Wealth– Mission: St. Louis’ Healthy Home Repair Program and CDA in Action

By Michelle Kim, Washington University Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement 2025 St. Louis Fellow

Working hand in hand with the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration (CDA), and City of St. Louis Building Division, Mission: St. Louis' Healthy Home Repair Program stands as a cornerstone effort to protect generational homes and keep city residents safe in place. This public-private partnership between Mission: St. Louis and the City helps low to moderate income homeowners—who own and live in their homes—make repairs that bring properties up to code, address health hazards, and meet vital safety standards.

Led by Jane Basler, Director of Construction Project Management, the Healthy Home Repair team tackles large-scale projects such as roof replacement, two-story porch rebuilds, and exterior restoration.

But their mission extends far beyond construction. As Jane explains: “Our work isn’t just about fixing homes—it’s about restoring hope and maintaining generational wealth. Every project is integral to both the homeowner and their city neighborhood, preserving the home for both the present and the future.” 

Many of the Citywide program’s clients are elderly or living on fixed incomes and unable to address urgent repairs without assistance. From mitigating electrical hazards to rebuilding collapsed roofs and porches, the program delivers the critical work needed to make homes safe and livable for years to come.

Since its inception, the Healthy Home Repair Program has completed thousands of homes—a milestone that reflects both the scope and the complexity of the work. Every project requires balancing multiple moving parts: historic preservation, federal regulations, limited budgets, challenging homes that need extensive work requiring coordination among multiple contractors across trades. CDA serves as the central hub. Jane’s team is one of the spokes in the hub to develop project plans, closing loans and grants, and managing the project and working with the homeowners through each step. The process begins with an application and eligibility screening at CDA, followed by a full home evaluation and inspection conducted by the City of St. Louis Building Division and Mission: St. Louis. Weekly coordination meetings with CDA staff ensure that challenges are addressed quickly, allowing the program to keep moving despite its complexity.

While the numbers are impressive, the heart of the program lies in the stories behind them. Each completed project represents a family, a history, and an emotional bond to their place.

Take Ms. Hudson, for example. Her home’s needs exceeded the program’s typical limits, the result of years of compounding issues. Even when repairs stretch the budget, the team finds ways to move forward—striking a balance between funding constraints and the non-negotiable priority of making the home safe. Her project reflects the program’s core philosophy: commit to the long term and walk with homeowners through difficult repairs, not just quick fixes.

Back view of Ms. Hudson’s home, currently undergoing weatherization and backyard repairs.

Or consider Ms. Holmes, who lives in a multigenerational home with her children and grandchildren. After a tornado caused severe structural damage, her home became unsafe. The repairs completed through the program didn’t just restore walls and ceilings—they made it possible for her family to remain together in the place they’ve always called home.

Front street view of Ms. Holmes’ home, which was severely damaged by the May 16th tornado.

Ms. Holmes and Jane Basler discussing repairs to be made.

These are just two of many examples showing what the Healthy Home Repair Program is truly about: stepping into homes, listening to the people who live there, and delivering solutions that honor both safety and legacy.

Behind the scenes, the program’s success depends on a strong, ongoing partnership with the City’s Community Development Administration.

As Nahuel Fefer, CDA’s Executive Director, puts it:
“We’re focused on making sure people can live with dignity in the homes and neighborhoods they’ve always called home. The Healthy Home Repair Program shows what’s possible when organizations and local governments work together with a shared mission—preserving housing, stabilizing families, and investing in the future of St. Louis.”

That shared mission—between city and community—gives the program its strength. Together, Mission: St. Louis and the CDA are preserving homes, protecting legacies, and ensuring that the heart of St. Louis remains in the neighborhoods where families have lived for generations.

About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The CDA serves as the City of St. Louis' hub for federal, state, and local funds, implementing the Mayor's economic justice agenda. By funding public and nonprofit entities, the CDA supports a wide range of initiatives, including public services, affordable housing development, blight eradication, and other community development activities.