Homeless Services

The $1 million grant, from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Day 1 Families Fund, is the largest in Gateway 180’s history.

St. Louis earmarked millions from the American Rescue Plan Act for homeless services. But after two deep freezes in as many years, the city is just now planning to open a 24/7 "safe haven" shelter for those without housing.

A law passed last year made sleeping on state-owned land a misdemeanor in Missouri. It went into effect Jan. 1, but critics say there is still a lack of clarity from the state surrounding its implementation.

In March 2022, community advocates said St. Louis' 211 hotline fails homeless people and leaves volunteers to pick up the slack. Nearly a year later, they report that things are even worse.

The law bans sleeping, camping or setting up long-term shelters on state-owned land. Multiple lawsuits against the measure by homeless advocates have been filed, though no rulings have been issued.

St. Louis-area homeless shelters are making more beds and cots available for people in need of a warm place to escape the coming bitter cold.

On Dec. 1, the City of St. Louis launched winter operations to help support people without housing during the coldest months of the year. Community volunteers and organizers who work to support those who are homeless, however, have serious concerns.

Nicole Warrington of St. Louis is just a volunteer with no official position, but she’s gotten 400 calls from social workers at local hospitals in the past year, all seeking help finding places to take the homeless patients they’re discharging.

Community resistance has stalled the $900,000 project to establish St. Louis’ first city-funded intentional encampment.

St. Louis has set aside more than $43 million in federal funding for homeless services and housing support. Advocates hope to see progress before deadly winter weather arrives.