First Rental Assistance Clinic

Throughout the nearly two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, DeSales Community Development and Fox Grove Management (FGM) have worked diligently with residents in Fox Grove housing and neighborhood families to stay secure in their homes by connecting them to rental assistance.

In this continued effort, DeSales and FGM held its first ever Rental Assistance Clinic on December 18th, 2021 at the 2501 N. Sarah FGM Office. A team of DeSales and Fox Grove staff met one-on-one with residents on a Saturday to help them apply for Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) rental assistance, especially focusing on supporting residents who had barriers in applying on their own.

This first effort was a definite success, as in a single day we connected 15 families to nearly $52,000 of rental assistance. In addition to rent assistance, we also provided residents with additional resources to help them get back on track, like employment, health care, and benefit programs.

Community Services Coordinator Mike Ziegler coordinated the clinic, with support from application navigators Casey Ringenberg, Sheltoria Love, and Audrey Williams; site managers Kim Overbey and Tamara Newsome; maintenance staff Antwon Mallet; and additional volunteers who helped the clinic run smoothly.

We look forward to holding more Rental Assistance Clinics for residents and neighbors in the comings months. Reach out to Mike Zielger at mike@desalescd.com for more information.

DeSales Community Programs Coordinator, Sheltoria Love, helps a resident apply for rental assistance.

DeSales practicum students Casey Ringenberg (foreground) and Audrey Williams walk residents through the rental assistance process.