Residents of Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments say they have endured heating, cooling and other maintenance problems for years, but a disagreement over how to address those conditions has become intertwined with a political dispute over the property’s future.
“I came to the STL American because I wanted people to know the residents of Homer G. Phillips Dignity House are being held as hostages in a political battle,” resident Rosalind Guy said.
At issue is a proposed transfer of the lease for the city-owned senior apartment building at 2601 Whittier Street. The current leaseholder, EPV2 Dignity House, LLC, wants to assign its interest to CIG Homer I LLC. The transfer requires city approval.
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, who represents the 12th Ward, wants financial scrutiny before the transfer. Guy says seniors should not have to wait for those questions to be resolved before the lease transfer and needed improvements move forward.
“I want the city to make them account for the money,” Tyus said.
The property’s long-term lease dates to 1998. The legislation authorizing the proposed transfer does not specify a repair budget, deadlines or changes to day-to-day management. It remains unclear whether CIG Homer I has committed to funding the improvements residents seek.
Tyus introduced Board Bill 27 in May to authorize the lease assignment. On Sept. 18, 14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Aldridge introduced Board Bill 80, seeking authorization for the same transfer. Both bills were referred to the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee.
Tyus accused Aldridge of “conspiring to conceal the fact that there was millions of dollars that were unaccounted for” by introducing legislation concerning the property.
That same day, Tyus introduced Resolution 122, calling on EPV2 to submit audited financial statements from 2020 through 2026 to the Board of Aldermen, the St. Louis Development Corporation and Tyus for expert review before the Board approves a lease transfer.
Tyus said she began seeking information after the property became part of her ward in 2023. She alleges required financial reports were not provided to the Board or SLDC.
She cited $113 million that she believes should be accounted for under the lease arrangements. What the figure represents, how it was calculated and whether any money is missing have not been independently verified.
“The issue is, where’s the $113 million?” Tyus said.
Tyus said the financial questions matter because of residents’ living conditions. She said residents previously went without adequate heat and were given space heaters, which she considered dangerous. She and her assistant instead helped provide electric blankets.
“That’s how we got the electric blankets, because they were putting dangerous, dangerous space heaters,” Tyus said.
Residents also have raised concerns about malfunctioning doors, sidewalk hazards and packages arriving after the main office closes. Tyus cited trash in hallways and broken glass near trash bins, while Guy said residents have dealt with bugs.
Guy opposes holding up the transfer while the city seeks financial records.
“I don’t feel Sharon Tyus has the right to hold Homer G. Phillips Dignity House residents hostage until the documents she has requested” are provided, Guy said.
Guy has proposed approximately $3 million for heating and air-conditioning upgrades, along with water system improvements, gated parking and surveillance cameras. She also proposed about $150,000 in common-area improvements and wants someone within SLDC designated to oversee repairs and payments.
Tyus said she wants documentation showing whether the leaseholder met its financial and maintenance obligations. Resolution 122 describes $4.95 million in total base rent, payable in annual installments of $50,000. It also cites an agreement to defer ground lease payments to help cover operating costs, maintain services and minimize rent increases.
“We must stand up for seniors,” Tyus said. “We must make sure that they complete repairs at Homer G. Phillips.”
The dispute drew wider attention after remarks Tyus made about Aldridge during a resident meeting circulated on social media.
While discussing why she does not trust Aldridge, Tyus said, “If you was in my Black Caucus, you would be the first person I would put a bullet in your head because you are not trustworthy.”
Tyus said the recording took her comments out of context and referred to a conversation with Aldridge from about three years earlier. She described the remark as a hypothetical “foxhole” analogy.
On Sept. 18, the Board of Aldermen adopted Resolution 125, calling on Tyus to issue a written public apology to Aldridge within seven days and referring the matter to a committee for consideration of censure.
Tyus has said she will not apologize and disputes the Board’s authority to censure her. She said she is prepared to take legal action if the Board moves forward.
“If this board goes outside of their authority … then I will personally sue them individually,” Tyus said.
Guy said she wants the attention returned to residents and believes improvements are more important than the disagreement among city officials.
“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem,” Guy said.
Aldridge did not respond to a request for comment.