Human Services director warns federal cuts could shrink homelessness and senior supports while local storm raises immediate needs

Adam Pearson, director of the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services, told the Budget and Public Employees Committee on May 21 that his department is facing two near-term crises: the immediate needs caused by a recent tornado and proposed federal cuts that could reduce homelessness and senior supports.

Pearson said the department runs five divisions — Youth and Family, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAA or SLAY), Office on the Disabled, Fiscal, and Homeless Services — and manages federal and local contracts for programs ranging from senior meal delivery to shelter and outreach. He said SLAY has contact with roughly 7,000 seniors and delivered 2,000 home-delivered meals on each of the two days following the storm. The department also oversees HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) funding and is collaborative applicant for the CoC’s HUD grants.

Why it matters: Pearson warned that proposed federal budget changes — including a reported cut to the Office of Community Planning and Development staffing and a potential move away from ‘‘housing first’’ approaches — could shift funds away from long-term housing toward short-term shelter. He and staff said that…