Community Development Administration secures $5M for tornado disaster relief funding

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee of the St. Louis City Council convened on June 5, 2025, to discuss critical funding measures aimed at supporting community recovery efforts. The meeting was led by the executive director of the Community Development Administration, who presented two key agenda items.

The first item discussed was Board Bill 28, which proposes a tornado disaster relief appropriation of $5 million. This funding is part of a larger $7.4 million amendment intended to redirect Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to assist in tornado recovery efforts. The $5 million is sourced from unappropriated funds from CDBG allocations made by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) between 2018 and 2021. These funds were identified during the city’s consolidated planning process as being available for reallocation.

In addition to the $5 million, the committee noted that an additional $2.4 million would also be redirected through the substantial amendment, although this amount is not included in the current bill. The executive director emphasized the importance of these funds in supporting the community's recovery from recent tornado damage.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from committee members and the public, highlighting the committee's commitment to transparency and community engagement in the recovery process. Overall, the discussions underscored the city’s proactive approach to disaster relief and the strategic use of available federal funds to aid affected residents.