Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (TGNCDC) was one of only five organizations in 2015 awarded a Capacity Building and Collaborative Grant from RISE (www.risestl.org). The announcement was made at the 3rd annual Community Builders Network Awards Ceremony (www.communitybuildersstl.org) last night at Cortex. Over 300 people attended. The grant is dedicated to enhancing and growing the TGNCDC tenant screening program and to create a summary landlord training program with the Saint Louis City City Counselor's office.
Prior to the Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation, Southwest Housing Corporation and Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation consolidating in 2013, the tenant screening program was funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. TGNCDC wasn't funded for the program in 2014. With CDBG funds declining and more competitive than ever, TGNCDC focused attention on building the tenant screening business into a self-sustaining operation. The RISE grant will help us achieve our goal. The grant will be used to develop an online application, new marketing plan, update our technology and help pay for salaries. RISE is also providing technical support for the creation of a tenant screening business plan.
The summary landlord training program has the opportunity to educate nuisance building owners about proper property management including the importance of tenant screening, property maintenance, lease creation and enforcement, evictions and other topics. The option to take the course could be in lieu of fines that absentee landlords tend to pay without pause. A successful completion of the course could also eliminate any legal proceedings/ramifications related to the nuisance properties. TGNCDC believes face to face interaction with landlords, setting high expectations for management and providing resources to the property owners helps stabilize buildings and, ultimately, neighborhoods.
TGNCDC is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents in the City of St. Louis. The RISE grant will help financial support our organization, build organizational capacity and achieve community development goals. Thanks to Central Bank of St. Louis, Citi Foundation, Commerce Bancshares Foundation, Commerce Bank, First Bank, and the PNC Foundation for financially supporting the RISE Capacity Building and Collaborative Grant.
