DeSales Partners with Mediation Project to Prevent Evictions
Earlier this summer, DeSales initiated a partnership with the St. Louis Mediation Project aimed at preventing evictions among our tenants. The St. Louis Mediation Project is a no-cost program that aids neighbors, family members, tenants, homeowners, landlords, and lenders in resolving housing disputes both inside and outside the courtroom. The mediators play a pivotal role in safeguarding neighbors, tenants, family members, and homeowners from the potentially detrimental consequences of legal actions on their records. They can also assist in establishing payment plans and disseminating crucial rental assistance information.
Like many housing providers, DeSales has tenants who continue to grapple with the adverse financial and emotional impacts of Covid-19, resulting in rent arrears. Evictions are always a measure of last resort for us, undertaken with a heavy heart. Earlier this year, our dedicated staff worked to support tenants facing the risk of eviction by facilitating their access to rental assistance through the Missouri SAFHR Program.
Despite our efforts, the funding from this program unexpectedly dried up, leaving our tenants without the financial lifeline they had relied upon to meet their rent obligations. The St. Louis Mediation Project is a sustainable and powerful resource at our disposal to prevent evictions and uphold our commitment to providing stable housing for our tenants. It functions as a crucial pillar within our comprehensive strategy for tenant support and housing security.
The St. Louis Mediation Project is a proactive, community-driven solution that helps mediate disputes and conflicts between various stakeholders in the housing ecosystem in the challenging landscape of rental housing, where unforeseen circumstances and financial hardships can push tenants to the brink of eviction.
The St. Louis Mediation Project, in essence, assists us in carrying out our mission of fostering vibrant and inclusive communities by increasing the availability of affordable housing.