The Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Neighborhood Advocacy program has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to provide legal representation to neighborhood groups working to combat vacant and deteriorated properties in St. Louis.
There are about 9,000 vacant building in the city of St. Louis, with most being located in predominantly African American neighborhoods that have dealt with decades of disinvestment.
Established in 2018, the Neighborhood Advocacy program has partnered with neighborhoods and local developers to turn liabilities into assets. The partnerships have helped to revitalize 727 formerly vacant housing units—representing over $10 million in private investment.
The Wells Fargo grant will help expand legal resources in two high-need neighborhoods, building on the program’s proven success. LSEM will designate a full-time attorney to “sustained, place-based work,” according to Peter Hoffman, managing attorney for Neighborhood Advocacy.
“We can increase the number of properties addressed from a handful each year to more than a dozen within a single neighborhood, while ensuring that neighborhood leaders—not lawyers—set the priorities for which properties to target
“This grant is a testament to the power of community-led change. By investing in neighborhoods and empowering residents to take control of their environment, we’re not just addressing vacant properties—we’re fostering resilience and opportunity.
This grant represents about 20% of the program’s budget and can help reduce vacancy, improve quality of life, and grow the tax base for the entire city.
“At Wells Fargo, we are deeply committed to investing in St. Louis and strengthening the region through our housing initiatives. By supporting affordable housing and empowering local communities, we strive to create lasting impact and help build a brighter future for everyone who calls St. Louis home,” said Vianey Beltran, Wells Fargo vice president of philanthropy and community impact.