ST. LOUIS — Following the devastating tornadoes that struck historically Black neighborhoods in St. Louis on May 16, 2025, communities north of Delmar are faced with the formidable task of rebuilding. This recovery will be massive and require considerable ongoing support. 

RELATED: St. Louis storm recovery: Where to get help and how to give back

More city support is on the way after a Tuesday vote by the Board of Aldermen approved expansion eligibility for the city’s Impacted Tenants Fund. Approved applicants will get a month of federal fair market rent to help cover up-front expenses like a security deposit or first month’s rent at a new building.

“People need housing now and amending the Impacted Tenants Fund is a critical first step in helping renters who lost their homes in last month’s tornado. We know the program’s current balance isn’t enough and our next step is finding a way to expand the fund so more residents can secure housing,” said Board of Aldermen President Megan Green.

She noted that even though the bill has passed, the application process is not yet open.

“DHS is working to finalize criteria and the application process with Employment Connection. Once the application is ready, it will be presented to the Housing, Urban Development, and Zoning Committee for review.”

Mayor Cara Spencer announced at a Monday press conference that $5 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act fund will be used to help stabilize homes.

As neighborhoods have been surveyed the number of damaged homes and buildings has topped 10,000.

“We know we’ve got to get these funds out as quickly as possible to really help ensure that residents can stabilize buildings that are badly compromised,” Spencer said. “We want to make sure that in deploying these funds, we’re able to protect those buildings for the duration of time it’s going to take to really get them rehabilitated.”

 Meanwhile, community members, dedicated volunteers, and advocates are pooling their resources and sharing crucial insights to address the disaster relief efforts. A particularly pressing need that has emerged is housing and rental assistance for those affected. Residents are shuffling quickly to support these individuals and families as they work to rebuild their lives.

John Bowman, president of St. Louis County NAACP, says the deadly tornado held up a mirror to the region’s “face,” highlighting just how disenfranchised Black neighborhoods are in the city. He believes that during segregation, Black communities demonstrated considerable strength and progress by establishing their own educational institutions, cultivating professionals and leaders, and developing successful community businesses. 

“However, the economic prosperity and resources within these communities seemingly became targets for white America, potentially leading to their assimilation for financial gain,” Bowman said, pointing out the destruction of decades of disinvestment in Black neighborhoods. “The infrastructure and self-sufficiency of Black communities began to decline, and the perceived necessity for harmony diminished, contributing to the creation of St. Louis’s Delmar Divide.”

The Delmar Divide has caused continuous disinvestment and resulted in ongoing economic neglect and significant disparities in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Executive Director of Metropolitan Congregations United, Demarco Davidson, pointed out that the tornado gave people a better understanding of the divide. He feels that one of the big issues is that many of the vacant homes in these areas have absentee owners. 

“These properties have become blighted and the structures have become unstable,” said Davidson.  “The condition of the roofs and tuck pointing of the walls was already in horrible condition. The intentional divestment or the sabotage of investment in the North Side amplified the devastation of the community.”

To help address the emerging housing and rental crisis the tornado has caused, Bowman suggests that FEMA collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies throughout the entire disaster management process. He urges cooperation between all three entities to mitigate the impacts of climate change, air, water, and soil quality. 

“FEMA must take seriously its responsibility to uphold civil rights protections for Black communities during disaster response and recovery,” he said. Historical data indicate that disaster recovery efforts have often exacerbated existing racial economic disparities. People of color tend to experience greater losses from natural disasters, receive less support, suffer more significant wealth declines, and face longer recovery times. 

Harvard Kennedy School Review shows that in counties where significant disasters have occurred, Black disaster survivors experience a decrease in wealth, while White survivors experience an increase. Specifically, Black survivors see an average decrease of $27,000 in wealth, while White survivors see an average increase of $126,000.

This disparity highlights how disaster aid and recovery efforts may not be equitably distributed, contributing to existing racial wealth gaps. Davidson says this is where the city, state, and federal government can restore people’s hope and the relevancy of government itself by showing compassion and some form of compensation for restoration. 

However, through the destruction and devastation, Bowman and Davidson have not lost hope. Grassroots organizations such as Actions St. Louis and For The Culture St. Louis, dedicated volunteers have shown St. Louis’ humanity for others. “The empathy and service to others I have witnessed are invaluable,” Bowman proudly said. Davidson said, “Seeing everyday working class people who are usually focusing on one area of the city or one demographic in the city, is an incredible and beautiful sight.”