Metro St. Louis Coalition for the Homeless
  • HOME
  • METRO AREA NEWS
  • COALITION NEWS
  • SOME OF THE FACTS
  • FAQs
  • ADVOCACY
  • RESOURCES
  • NEED HELP?
  • IDEAS
  • CONTACT/JOIN/DONATE
​Learn more about the National Coalition for the Homeless HERE.
Picture
Picture
P. O . Box 771554            St. Louis. MO   63177              Phone: 314-881-3283            metrohomelesscoalition@gmail.com                                    
HOMELESS COALITION MEETING ARE HELD AT THE
​ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1300 OLIVE 63103  
SECOND FLOOR MEETING ROOM  #
2.3

All meetings are on Saturday afternoon from 1 - 3pm
MEETING DATES FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS:
April 21
May 19
June 16
_________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE:
"FREE SOURCE WEEKLY JOB DIGEST".

 Current job listings and more in printable PDF format.
MARCH 11 - MARCH 17, 2018


CLICK HERE for a comprehensive series of articles about homelessness
published by the Guardian newspaper.


FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER AND OTHER HOUSING PROGRAMS: 
Start the Intake Process in one of these three ways:

1.  St. Louis Regional HOUSING HELPLINE 314-802-5444 
Shelter Referral Agency
Call to start the Intake Process by phone.

2.  ST. PATRICK CENTER WELCOME CENTER 
800 North Tucker 63101 
www.stpatrickcenter.org 314-802-0700 Walk-in hours Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm No appointment necessary. Lunch every day from 12- 12:30

​3.  BIDDLE HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES CENTER 
1212 N 13th St. 63101 314-612-1675 
Overnight shelter for men, day services for women. 
Intake for housing services seven days a week 6:30am-7pm. No appointment necessary. 

Meals daily. Breakfast 7:00 am; Lunch 12-12:30; Dinner 5:00-5:30 pm. Showers, laundry, mail.

PODCAST ON HOMELESSNESS IN ST. LOUIS
Here's a link to a podcast on the topic of STL homelessness. They talk about NLEC, Biddle House Opportunity Center, Hopeville, City programs, and shelters> Several thoughtful interviews.
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/blinders-off?refid=stpr
​
This website lists many money-related resources:
www.needhelppayingbills.com

_______________________________________________________

TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS.
Lots of practical advice. Feel free to print and distribute.


The link below will take you to an extensive, co-operative media project concerning homelessness and solutions in the San Francisco area:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/san-francisco-homeless-project-mother-jones

Here is a petition that challenges the city's efforts to criminalize the act of providing assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness:
https://www.change.org/p/jack-coatar-feeding-the-homeless-should-not-be-illegal-in-st-louis?recruiter=12781528&
__________________________
__________________________________
HERE is an article that demonstrates that homeless individuals are are more often victims of crime than perpetrators. 
Investigations are showing that the homeless population is aging. 

Old and on the Street: The Graying of America’s Homeless
READ MORE


TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS: CLICK HERE
LIST OF MEAL PROVIDERS: CLICK HERE

St. Louis area fails to meet 10-year goal of ending homelessness. Read more.
_____________________________________________________________________________
CLICK HERE for a link to HMIS, HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. HMIS is a local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness. Each Continuum of Care is responsible for selecting an HMIS software solution that complies with HUD's data collection, management, and reporting standards.
_____________________________________________________________________________
NEW DOCUMENTARY. SEE TRAILER BELOW FOR "Anywhere But Here: A story of loss, survival and the journey home". 42 min. Documentary about Coalition member Steve McMorris. Steve lost his apartment in Belleville, IL before coming to St. Louis for help. We revisit his old place, his place of work at Eckert's Farm Restaurant, where he lived out of his vehicle, where he slept hiding out at night, encounter with police, etc. 
___________________________________________________________________________


The METRO ST. LOUIS COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS is working on creative solutions to this complex issue. Join us in our efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families who are living on the brink, instead of in their own homes.

CONTINUUM OF CARE.
St. Louis' plan for ending homelessness, listing of members and more.
314-657-1704    
1520 Market Street, Room 4062
_________________________________________________________________________________
IDEAS AND STRATEGIES:
CLICK HERE to read a summary of many creative, practical suggestions to the issues of homelessness in the St. Louis area. Use the contact page to comment and add your own ideas to the mix.

_________________________________________________________________________________
On May 14, 2014 a homeless man was stabbed to death downtown in front of the St. Louis Public Library. That evening Rev. Michael Kinman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, organized a service at the site. Dean Kinman published a moving article about that unfortunate day, which can be read by clicking HERE.

_______________________________________________________________________
The NATIONAL LAW CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY is encouraging every state to pass and support a Homeless Bill of Rights. In Missouri Senate Bill 428 would do just that, but in 2013 it failed to pass and is now considered 'dead.'  Read more about the important work that the  National Law Center is doing HERE. The Coalition is researching ways to re-introduce this bill in the next legislative session.

______________________________________________________________________________
Here's a link to the ROOM AT THE INN Facebook Page where you'll find out more about this agency's efforts to assist families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Extra shelter beds are provided during the winter months.
_________________________________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE for access to a recent URBAN INSTITUTE study that shows that for every 100 low income renters in this country, only 29 affordable housing units are available.
______________________________________________________________________
PROJECTS AND AGENDA OF THE COALITION:
*Advocate for shelter, housing, a living wage, and the
protection of civil rights.
*Work on ways to stop harassment and promote engagement in public places, including libraries and parks.
*Start working on providing a Walk-In shelter

in St. Louis county
*Form a Speakers' Bureau.
*Increase Active Regional Membership.
*Provide resources for safety on the streets and in shelters.
*Explore practical assistance opportunities, such as cell phones, lockers, use of computers, etc.
*Create a public awareness campaign.

*Research examples of successful projects in other areas. *Meet with Winter Outreach co-ordinators and churches to expand the network of existing efforts.
What do YOU Think?  JOIN US!
**************************************************************************
HOMELESS DEFINED: A person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence and has a primary residency that is 1) a supervised or privately operated shelter, 2) an institution that provides a temporary residence or 3) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular accommodation for human beings. The homeless do not fit one general description. People experiencing homelessness do have shared basic needs, including affordable housing, adequate incomes, and health care. Others need additional services such as mental health and drug treatment in order to remain securely housed. All these need to be met to prevent and end homelessness.
The State of Rhode Island recently passed a Homeless Bill of Rights.
Click HERE for more information.

 


Click on the donate button above or go to our CONTACT PAGE to support the work of the Coalition.

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Need Assistance?
​Find  resources here:
www.startherestl.org

********************************************
​

ST. LOUIS HOUSING  HOTLINE:
314-802-5444
Most shelter and transitional housing programs require intake through the Hotline.

**************************************
GUIDE TO SSI AND DISABILITY
A comprehensive guide to eligibility as well as the process of applying and receiving benefits.
**************************************
SAFE AT HOME
:  Provides survivors of abuse and threats with a substitute address for IDs, driver licenses, court documents, etc.  Requestor must 1) be a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or rape, 2) have recently moved to a safe address, 3) take other steps to protect herself/himself, and 4) be a Missouri resident. 
www.MoSafeAtHome.com
​
 or 1-866-509-1409.
***************************************

7 MYTHS ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE DEBUNKED
______________________________________ 
HERE is a link to an editorial that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on February 18, 2014, written by members of the Coalition.
*************************************************
STREETWISE SAFETY TIPS. CLICK HERE
*************************************************

THE SIMPLE DOLLAR
A website with MANY resources and tips, including a disability benefits guide and benefit calculator.
Picture
For useful information and many resources, visit
www.thestreetspirit.org
AND
Western Regional Advocacy Project​

www.wraphome.org
*******************************
++++++++++++++++++++++
Click HERE for a DIRECTORY OF HOMELESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
_________________________________
Picture
Picture
The NLCHP provides an abundance of legal advice and resources.
...................................................

HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS
SENATE BILL 428 creates a Homeless Bill of Rights and prohibits discrimination based on housing status.|
Read the wording HERE [Track Bill]
On May 31, 2013, Illinois passed a Homeless Bill of Rights. Missouri needs to be next!

*********************

Click HERE to learn more about homeless school children in the St. Louis area.
                           
 All photographs on this website were taken by Robert Boettcher, who has been homeless since 2010. You can see more of his pictures at www.RobertBoettcherPhotography.com
✕