Housing Association
Pillar Place and Compton Place
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Intercommunity Housing Association Pillar Place and Compton Place |
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Information About IHA IHA is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 tax exempt status. Our support services are paid for through generous donations of individuals, families, churches and religious groups, civic organizations, corporations, foundations, and special events. The operating expenses of our buildings including mortgage, insurance, maintenance, and repairs are paid for out of tenant rents which are subsidized by the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development or the Missouri Housing Development Corporation. Tenants at Pillar Place and Compton Place pay rent based on their income. They also pay their own utilities. The apartments at both locations provide ample space, providing residents with feelings of comfort, dignity and self-worth they may not have experienced before. The families of IHA have come from various backgrounds. Some come from shelters, often a family may live in one room at a shelter while they wait for an opening. Some have lived in another family member's basement, some have lived in hallways of buildings, some have lived in their car. Some of our families are immigrants who have fled oppression and abuse. Others are referred from agencies and organizations in the area. All must meet our guidelines for admission, including police checks and credit checks. A home visit prior to their admission is required for all tenants before acceptance. Intercommunity Housing Association's staff, board members and volunteers are constantly working to provide for the 33 families and over 100 children in need. However, they cannot do this alone. Individual and corporate donations are the driving force behind our success. The programs offered make a significant impact on their lives by bringing security and stability. This is accomplished by moving beyond the fundamental needs of a roof over their heads. IHA supplies our residents with the tools necessary to help improve their life circumstances and move them to independence. History of IHA and What we offer IHA was created through the collaboration of 19 religious congregations of women who saw the need to provide more than affordable housing for the poor of St. Louis. They saw the need to help the families that came to live at the two apartment complexes to become independent through social, economic and educational supports. Our families are primarily African American, single parent families with an average of 4 children. For the past ten years, IHA has provided life skills training, after school tutoring, summer children's programs, camps for the children, bridges to work and financial assistance with furthering their education. The Staff of IHA are in the process of evaluating the current programs and are implementing Program Evaluation and Outcomes. They recognized the unique needs of the women who live at IHA. These women have come from shelters, and from families who have been imbedded in generational poverty. Some are immigrants who not only lack the educational skills, but also require tutoring in reading, speaking and writing English. They lack many of the skills needed to sustain self-sufficiency. Many are vulnerable and do not have the ability to succeed without help. The goals of the programs are:
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