A Caring Plus is building 31 affordable single-family homes in the 4th Ward of Jennings. The non-profit started phase one in 2012 building homes in support of seniors in the St. Louis region.
The non-profit promotes services that enhance the quality of life for seniors. Their programs focus on the overall health and wellness of seniors in Jennings and surrounding communities, while also serving underserved families.
This is a commitment we have for seniors and families in need,” said A Caring Plus Executive Director Alice Logan.
“The 4th Ward has been neglected and blighted. Adding the 31 single-family homes will revitalize that area of Jennings.”
In December 2016, the development project opened a new 44-unit senior citizen housing center in the city’s disenfranchised 4th Ward. Lewis McKinney, a certified minority-owned business enterprise developer and founder of A Caring Plus told the St. Louis American in an interview in 2016.
“We built the building because we wanted to provide support for the need in the community, which is residential housing – safe, affordable, and decent housing for seniors in this community,” he said.
The three-story living space includes rooms for recreation, and wellness activities, a library, a fitness center, computer facilities, a coffee room, and a community lounge. Back then McKinney knew he wanted to revitalize the communities of Jennings for all families.
He foreshadowed the Alexandria Place housing development before it came to fruition.
“We saw a need to provide something that was very much needed, which was economic development in this area, as well as providing housing for the underserved population,” he said.
“This housing project was a part of Phase Two.”
The neighborhood revitalization project is a part of low-income housing tax credit properties.
A Caring Plus has partnered with Missouri Housing Development Corporation (MHDC,) St. Louis Equity Funds, and Castle Law Housing Authority of St. Louis County.
Area Property Manager Jacquline Roberson hopes the project will bring more diversity to the community of Jennings.
“This development project will help bring more momentum to the county,” she said.
“As a resident of Jennings I’ve seen the good, bad, and the ugly.”
A Caring Plus has an agreement with MHDC to lease the new homes for 15 years, after the 15 years the current renter has the option to purchase the property at a low-cost price. Roberson said the family would receive a credit to buy the house.
Qualifications to apply:
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Applications are accepted by non-Jennings residents
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Income must be 2 times the rent–rent is $765
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Section 8 vouchers are acceptable
The organization plans to partner with the International Institute bringing in newer immigrants to Jennings. The 1,350 square foot homes have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
They are furnished with a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and washer/dryer hookups.
Five houses have been completed and eight more will be finished by the end of June.
Thirteen houses will be available by July, and five more will be ready by August.
“By the end of September the whole project will be done,” said Logan.
The organization plans to partner with the International Institute to bring immigrants to Jennings.
Two years ago the non-profit opened the Webster Senior Apartments located on the north end of downtown on North 11th Street.
To learn more call [NEED FULL NUMBER] 314-2234
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
The phone number is not correct