History

Incorporated: St. Margaret of Scotland Housing Corporation. Certificate of Incorporation issued by Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick. Corp. No. N00025409. Original registered office: 3854 Flad Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Founding incorporators: Rev. Richard Quirk (Registered Agent), Tom Callahan, and Kenneth W. Nuernberger.

Three parallel organizations serving South St. Louis. St. Margaret of Scotland Housing Corporation (later Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation) worked in Shaw — housing preservation, emergency home repair, CDBG programming, partnership with St. Margaret of Scotland parish. Southwest Garden Housing Corporation created the Landlord Training Program under board member, Floyd Wright; administered by Dana Gray. Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation developed the Management Assistance Program (MAP) Originally led by Kristan Nickels — professional tenant screening for St. Louis City landlords.

St. Margaret of Scotland Housing Corporation adopted the name Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — broadening its identity after 30+ years of community impact across the Shaw neighborhood, while retaining the same EIN (43-1220525).

Due to CDA CDBG funding being in jeopardy and with support from local Aldermen, Stephen Conway and Jennifer Florida, Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation, and Southwest Garden Housing Corporation consolidated as Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (TGNCDC). Sean Spencer named Executive Director. Combined staff: Ella Gross, Dana Gray, and Kristan Nickels. The transition was led by TGNCDC Board President Tom Sweeney.

Based on the framework and vision plan, TGCDC purchases its first rental property as a combined entity at 3600 Bamberger in ‘The Wedge” (Area in the Tower Grove South neighborhood bound by Chippewa Ave to the South, Gravois Ave to the North and South Grand Blvd to the East). Over the next decade, this acquisition catalyzes the development of 20+ buildings in the area, infrastructure improvements including a new substation, comprehensive neighborhood cleanup efforts, and the creation of affordable housing with rents at 60% AMI or less.

Community Vision & Development Framework adopted. Board approves the Community Vision and Development Framework (H3 Studio) — the first unified 25–30 year plan for Shaw, Tower Grove South, and Southwest Garden. Over 500 residents and stakeholders engaged.

〉view the plan

Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC Named Excellence in Not-for-Profit Award By Community Builders Network, Saint Louis City.

TGCDC facilitates a $10 million redevelopment project on the 4100 block of DeTonty in Shaw, demonstrating capacity to steward major community development investment in partnership with institutional developers.

TGCDC invests $2.2 million to purchase 34 units in the Shaw neighborhood with financial assistance from TIAA Cref ($200,000 in support), establishing a permanent rental portfolio to sustain long-term housing affordability in an area of opportunity.

TGCDC, in partnership with STL Programs, created and launched the first Community Resource Guide—a comprehensive reference connecting residents to services and support across south St. Louis neighborhoods.

Led by Ella Gross, HomeScreen Tenant Screening web-based software created through $350,000 in grants from the Equifax Foundation, offering comprehensive tenant screening services to landlords throughout the country at no cost to the landlords.

Draper Kramer donates building at 2335–2337 South Kingshighway Boulevard — TGNCDC restores and relocates to the space.

TGCDC facilitates the Tower Grove Park pedestrian access initiative, addressing critical infrastructure improvements including pedestrian crossings, ADA ramps, and bus stops on Arsenal, Magnolia, and Center Cross.

The business plan detailed in this document has been created to fulfill TGNCDC’s mission, reflect the role that board, staff and community stakeholders believe TGNCDC should play, and to outline the priorities to be addressed over the next 5 years.

〉view the plan

HomeScreen launches ARCH by HomeScreen: At-Risk Renters Connection to Housing, allowing nonprofit organizations to find housing for their clients through our software.

TGCDC completes development facilitation for Bailey's Range in the Shaw neighborhood. TGCDC orchestrates site cleanup, releases the RFP, and selects a redeveloper to activate the long-vacant gas station site. TGCDC has also helped facilitate developments at Fiddlehead Fern and Wild Carrot Event Space.

TGCDC completes its seventh and final single-family development in Dutchtown as project manager for the St. Joseph Housing Initiative, contributing to the neighborhood's affordable homeownership capacity.

HomeScreen joins St. Louis Built for Zero team to help get homelessness to "functional zero," learning how to make homelessness in St. Louis rare, brief, and nonrecurring.

Sean Spencer is awarded the St. Louis City Impact Award from Park Central CDC.

TGCDC opens a coworking facility on the second floor of its office building at 2335–2337 South Kingshighway Boulevard, providing workspace and community gathering space.

After years of consulting, planning participation, and community outreach, TGCDC celebrates the completion of construction on the Brickline Greenway along Tower Grove Avenue, creating green infrastructure and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.

TGCDC concludes the final CDA CDBG-funded Landlord Training seminars, marking the end of a decades-long community education initiative started by founding board member, Floyd Wright.

After ten years as Board President, longtime community activist, investor, and advocate Janice Drake passes leadership to Jason Kempf, a long-time Shaw resident and neighborhood advocate who assumes the role with deep appreciation of the community TGCDC serves.

HomeScreen reaches 20,000 applications processed.

250 households housed through ARCH by HomeScreen.

Grand opening of EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill — a $22 million investment in 64 affordable housing units for older adults in partnership with EverTrue, representing TGCDC's capacity to steward complex financing and construction to completion.

SLDC names Evertrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill Development of the Year at the Mayor’s Business Luncheon

TGCDC completes its first Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines-funded two-plex for larger families in collaboration with Midwest BankCentre and the International Institute of St. Louis, expanding affordable housing options for families.