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January 1, 2024 - A Powerful Partnership
Sanctuary In the Ordinary is now an affiliate of Justine PETERSEN Housing and Reinvestment Corporation (JP)! Justine PETERSEN is a St. Louis-based non-profit that was founded in 1997 by Robert Boyle. JP initially focused on pre-purchase homeownership counseling, helping families overcome barriers to safe, affordable capital. Since then, JP has grown into one of the largest community development financial institutions (CDFIs), making thousands of loans to individuals, families, and businesses with low-to-moderate incomes. The mission of JP is to provide people with the financial tools and resources needed to achieve financial security, benefiting both individuals and the broader community. The leaders of SITO and JP have collaborated for decades. JP has guaranteed the no-interest loans that our generous supporters provide to SITO. Our new affiliation formalizes and strengthens a decades long partnership.
Last year the SITO leadership considered options for SITO to advance in its mission. A partnership with Justine PETERSEN quickly rose to the top of the list. Through discussions with Rob Boyle and members of JP’s Board, the vision for a transformative relationship emerged. Everyone saw the potential of this being a “1+1=3” partnership. The partnership could expand our collective work of addressing historic and institutional financial and housing discrimination in our region, helping people achieve housing and financial, stability and security.
Since our affiliation, we have hired a seasoned property manager to oversee SITO’s rental properties and to help with JP’s properties. We have collaborated on a grant proposal to rehab four houses in North St. Louis to be sold to moderate-income owners and another grant proposal to fund the rehab of two multifamily buildings owned by JP to create SITO-owned and managed rental apartments (both pending award). Last month we purchased two buildings in North St. Louis with eight apartments and were awarded a grant to rehab three vacant apartments in one of the buildings.
This partnership has proven to be more than the envisioned “1+1=3” collaboration; it is creating exponential value. SITO now has additional resources to help transform the city’s landscape by converting distressed multifamily buildings into affordable, well-managed apartments, providing tenants—especially children—with the stability and sanctuary they need to flourish. Meanwhile, Justine PETERSEN has gained the expertise to create housing that can be purchased by its clients, thus fostering generational wealth.
If you would like to learn more about our work and our new partnership, please contact SITO's Executive Director, Jeff Buck.
Sanctuary In the Ordinary is now an affiliate of Justine PETERSEN Housing and Reinvestment Corporation (JP)! Justine PETERSEN is a St. Louis-based non-profit that was founded in 1997 by Robert Boyle. JP initially focused on pre-purchase homeownership counseling, helping families overcome barriers to safe, affordable capital. Since then, JP has grown into one of the largest community development financial institutions (CDFIs), making thousands of loans to individuals, families, and businesses with low-to-moderate incomes. The mission of JP is to provide people with the financial tools and resources needed to achieve financial security, benefiting both individuals and the broader community. The leaders of SITO and JP have collaborated for decades. JP has guaranteed the no-interest loans that our generous supporters provide to SITO. Our new affiliation formalizes and strengthens a decades long partnership.
Last year the SITO leadership considered options for SITO to advance in its mission. A partnership with Justine PETERSEN quickly rose to the top of the list. Through discussions with Rob Boyle and members of JP’s Board, the vision for a transformative relationship emerged. Everyone saw the potential of this being a “1+1=3” partnership. The partnership could expand our collective work of addressing historic and institutional financial and housing discrimination in our region, helping people achieve housing and financial, stability and security.
Since our affiliation, we have hired a seasoned property manager to oversee SITO’s rental properties and to help with JP’s properties. We have collaborated on a grant proposal to rehab four houses in North St. Louis to be sold to moderate-income owners and another grant proposal to fund the rehab of two multifamily buildings owned by JP to create SITO-owned and managed rental apartments (both pending award). Last month we purchased two buildings in North St. Louis with eight apartments and were awarded a grant to rehab three vacant apartments in one of the buildings.
This partnership has proven to be more than the envisioned “1+1=3” collaboration; it is creating exponential value. SITO now has additional resources to help transform the city’s landscape by converting distressed multifamily buildings into affordable, well-managed apartments, providing tenants—especially children—with the stability and sanctuary they need to flourish. Meanwhile, Justine PETERSEN has gained the expertise to create housing that can be purchased by its clients, thus fostering generational wealth.
If you would like to learn more about our work and our new partnership, please contact SITO's Executive Director, Jeff Buck.
October 28, 2022
In late August, Jim Roos sent a petition letter to the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission, asking the commission to support selective rehab, and to include it in their funding of affordable housing programs. Today, Jim sent a follow-up letter to April Ford-Griffin, the AHC executive directory, along with copies of the proposal and endorsement letters from seven prominent members of St. Louis' community of affordable housing supporters and developers.
In late August, Jim Roos sent a petition letter to the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission, asking the commission to support selective rehab, and to include it in their funding of affordable housing programs. Today, Jim sent a follow-up letter to April Ford-Griffin, the AHC executive directory, along with copies of the proposal and endorsement letters from seven prominent members of St. Louis' community of affordable housing supporters and developers.
June 30, 2022
SITO and Jim Roos were mentioned in today's St. Louis Business Journal. In the article titled "Immigration to St. Louis has helped prevent decline. But increasing it is complicated." it states:
"Midwest BankCentre made a $280,000 loan to a nonprofit group, Sanctuary in the Ordinary, to fund the rehabilitation of two multifamily buildings in the Dutchtown neighborhood of south St. Louis. The city of St. Louis' Affordable Housing Commission in January approved an $80,000 interest-free loan to the group, led by Jim Roos.
Roos said he contacted the International Institute of St. Louis, the refugee relocation agency for the metro area, about his interest in helping an Afghan refugee family. A couple with four children is living in one of the rehabbed units on Osage Street.
'Our experience with the Institute goes back decades. We rented to Vietnamese families in the 1980s,' Roos said."
The article can be found here, but requires a subscription to view in full.
SITO and Jim Roos were mentioned in today's St. Louis Business Journal. In the article titled "Immigration to St. Louis has helped prevent decline. But increasing it is complicated." it states:
"Midwest BankCentre made a $280,000 loan to a nonprofit group, Sanctuary in the Ordinary, to fund the rehabilitation of two multifamily buildings in the Dutchtown neighborhood of south St. Louis. The city of St. Louis' Affordable Housing Commission in January approved an $80,000 interest-free loan to the group, led by Jim Roos.
Roos said he contacted the International Institute of St. Louis, the refugee relocation agency for the metro area, about his interest in helping an Afghan refugee family. A couple with four children is living in one of the rehabbed units on Osage Street.
'Our experience with the Institute goes back decades. We rented to Vietnamese families in the 1980s,' Roos said."
The article can be found here, but requires a subscription to view in full.
June 28, 2022
The Neeb Family Foundation has approved a grant to SITO for $14,000. President Douglas Neeb said "Both myself and my fellow Director, Rev. Penny Holste, spent time reviewing the request and doing the other necessary 'homework' on SITO. Needless to say, we were impressed. [...] Thanks for all the hard and good work your organization does in the STL community. Money comes and goes, but the mark you leave by helping others never goes away." We're grateful for their financial and verbal support!
To find out more the Neeb Family Foundation, see their website.
The Neeb Family Foundation has approved a grant to SITO for $14,000. President Douglas Neeb said "Both myself and my fellow Director, Rev. Penny Holste, spent time reviewing the request and doing the other necessary 'homework' on SITO. Needless to say, we were impressed. [...] Thanks for all the hard and good work your organization does in the STL community. Money comes and goes, but the mark you leave by helping others never goes away." We're grateful for their financial and verbal support!
To find out more the Neeb Family Foundation, see their website.
June 22, 2022
We're excited to announce that Jeff Buck has been selected as the new SITO executive director! Jeff will gradually take over the duties and responsibilities that until now have been handled by our founding director, Jim Roos. Regarding Buck’s hiring, Roos said “for years I looked and longed for a key person to lead and continue the low-income housing ministry I began in 1971. Through a fortunate coincidence Jeff and I became connected and we quickly bonded over our shared concern for those we serve. I am thrilled to be handing over the reigns of SITO to Jeff.”
Update: For more information, see the July 3, 2022 press release.
We're excited to announce that Jeff Buck has been selected as the new SITO executive director! Jeff will gradually take over the duties and responsibilities that until now have been handled by our founding director, Jim Roos. Regarding Buck’s hiring, Roos said “for years I looked and longed for a key person to lead and continue the low-income housing ministry I began in 1971. Through a fortunate coincidence Jeff and I became connected and we quickly bonded over our shared concern for those we serve. I am thrilled to be handing over the reigns of SITO to Jeff.”
Update: For more information, see the July 3, 2022 press release.
April 27, 2022
The St. Louis Board of Estimate and Appointment, consisting of Mayor Jones, Alderman President Reed, and Comptroller Green, has voted to add $2 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), which would bring the fund's FY 2023 total to $8.5 million if approved by the Board of Aldermen and Ways and Means Committee. This is terrific news, as the AHTF awards grants and loans for housing services, including the $80k that was recently awarded to SITO for long-term financing of selective rehab projects.
The $2M would come from the US federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), meant to alleviate the economic pressures brought about by COVID. Over the past year, SITO and Founding Director Jim Roos have petitioned St. Louis to use 2% of ARPA money be added to AHTF funds, meeting with the mayor's staff and others to promote this idea. In fact, Jim Roos and SITO President, Jeff Buck, testified at the Board of E&A budget hearing just last week, again asking that ARPA money be used this way. Similarly, the AHTF Coalition has been pursuing a 30% increase in the AHTF FY 2023 budget. Coincidentally, both requests amount to $2M/year. Lo and behold, that is exactly the amount the board voted for!
It seems that a year of persistence may finally be paying off! But we also give considerable thanks to the AHTF Coalition, which has a long history of pursuing increases in AHTF funding. The Coalition's drive began with their successful push to secure full funding for the AHTF in 2018 after a period of underfunding. Since then, the AHTF has seen several budget increases and has been funded locally at $6.5M since FY 2022, $1.5M above the $5M mandated minimum. If approved, the additional $2M would bring the total AHTF funds to $8.5M for FY 2023.
The AHTF Coalition issued a letter to their advocates, thanking them for the support that led to this vote.
The $2M would come from the US federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), meant to alleviate the economic pressures brought about by COVID. Over the past year, SITO and Founding Director Jim Roos have petitioned St. Louis to use 2% of ARPA money be added to AHTF funds, meeting with the mayor's staff and others to promote this idea. In fact, Jim Roos and SITO President, Jeff Buck, testified at the Board of E&A budget hearing just last week, again asking that ARPA money be used this way. Similarly, the AHTF Coalition has been pursuing a 30% increase in the AHTF FY 2023 budget. Coincidentally, both requests amount to $2M/year. Lo and behold, that is exactly the amount the board voted for!
It seems that a year of persistence may finally be paying off! But we also give considerable thanks to the AHTF Coalition, which has a long history of pursuing increases in AHTF funding. The Coalition's drive began with their successful push to secure full funding for the AHTF in 2018 after a period of underfunding. Since then, the AHTF has seen several budget increases and has been funded locally at $6.5M since FY 2022, $1.5M above the $5M mandated minimum. If approved, the additional $2M would bring the total AHTF funds to $8.5M for FY 2023.
The AHTF Coalition issued a letter to their advocates, thanking them for the support that led to this vote.
April 10, 2022
Thanks to all those that attended our March 26th open house, dedication, and press conference! We had a terrific time celebrating our recent successes and honoring several of our contributors and supporters including Jim and Judy Roos, and Cora Musial. We are grateful for the outpouring of enthusiasm for SITO's selective rehab strategy and are excited for the future!
Thanks to all those that attended our March 26th open house, dedication, and press conference! We had a terrific time celebrating our recent successes and honoring several of our contributors and supporters including Jim and Judy Roos, and Cora Musial. We are grateful for the outpouring of enthusiasm for SITO's selective rehab strategy and are excited for the future!
March 22, 2022
On March 26, SITO will be hosting a open house, dedication, and press conference at the location of our recent selective rehab project, a 4-family building at 3437 Osage in St. Louis. Come join us!
On March 26, SITO will be hosting a open house, dedication, and press conference at the location of our recent selective rehab project, a 4-family building at 3437 Osage in St. Louis. Come join us!
February 8, 2022
Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch highlighted SITO, selective rehab, and Founding Director Jim Roos in a front page, above-the-fold article! We're thrilled that the editorial staff and reporter Jacob Barker chose to share our story with the St. Louis community.
Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch highlighted SITO, selective rehab, and Founding Director Jim Roos in a front page, above-the-fold article! We're thrilled that the editorial staff and reporter Jacob Barker chose to share our story with the St. Louis community.
January 11, 2022
Great news!
The St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission approved our request for an $80k, interest-free, 10-year loan for our Osage and Michigan buildings. This is an important achievement, as it is precisely the funding strategy championed by SITO, and the funding award differs from the type of awards that the AHC has granted in the past.
"This may be a breakthrough, indicating that the AHC is finally willing to fund Selective Rehab." - Jeff Buck, SITO President
We give special thanks to Lucas Delort, who did a phenomenal job crafting SITO’s application to “thread the needle” into the right spot to convince the AHC to award the grant to SITO.
Great news!
The St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission approved our request for an $80k, interest-free, 10-year loan for our Osage and Michigan buildings. This is an important achievement, as it is precisely the funding strategy championed by SITO, and the funding award differs from the type of awards that the AHC has granted in the past.
"This may be a breakthrough, indicating that the AHC is finally willing to fund Selective Rehab." - Jeff Buck, SITO President
We give special thanks to Lucas Delort, who did a phenomenal job crafting SITO’s application to “thread the needle” into the right spot to convince the AHC to award the grant to SITO.
December 21, 2021
An Afghan refugee family of six, sponsored by the International Institute, has moved into 3437 Osage 1E.
An Afghan refugee family of six, sponsored by the International Institute, has moved into 3437 Osage 1E.
October 25, 2021
SITO is making great strides on the acquisition of long-term funding for our Michigan Ave. and Osage St. properties (part of our Pilot Project), and on the rehab process as well.
In alignment with our strategy, Lucas Delort crafted and submitted a funding application to the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission, requesting an $80k interest-free, 10-year loan. This is roughly 20% of the $385k post-rehab appraisal value of the properties (purchase cost was $185k). We also have a commitment from Midwest Bank Centre for a $288,750 loan at market rate--75% of the post-rehab value.
The Michigan/Osage rehab was slightly delayed due to supply-chain bottlenecks but is on pace for completion in December, allowing us to now renew our search for buildings to add to the Pilot Project.
SITO is making great strides on the acquisition of long-term funding for our Michigan Ave. and Osage St. properties (part of our Pilot Project), and on the rehab process as well.
In alignment with our strategy, Lucas Delort crafted and submitted a funding application to the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission, requesting an $80k interest-free, 10-year loan. This is roughly 20% of the $385k post-rehab appraisal value of the properties (purchase cost was $185k). We also have a commitment from Midwest Bank Centre for a $288,750 loan at market rate--75% of the post-rehab value.
The Michigan/Osage rehab was slightly delayed due to supply-chain bottlenecks but is on pace for completion in December, allowing us to now renew our search for buildings to add to the Pilot Project.
September 25, 2021
Jeffrey Buck has been chosen as the new president of the SITO board, replacing outgoing president, Mark Schulte. We thank both Jeff and Mark for their contributions to SITO, as well those of Jeff's wife, Greta!
Jeffrey Buck has been chosen as the new president of the SITO board, replacing outgoing president, Mark Schulte. We thank both Jeff and Mark for their contributions to SITO, as well those of Jeff's wife, Greta!
September 14, 2021
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Central States Synod, has approved a $10,000 grant to SITO. Thank you to the endowment committee and to Stephen Phelps, fundraiser for the ELCA, who advised Jim about the application process!
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Central States Synod, has approved a $10,000 grant to SITO. Thank you to the endowment committee and to Stephen Phelps, fundraiser for the ELCA, who advised Jim about the application process!
August 27, 2021
SITO members met with members of Mayor Jones' staff and heads of several city agencies, to discuss the SITO strategy. We greatly thank Nahuel Fefer, April Ford-Griffin, Bill Ratja and Lorna Anderson for their time and dedication.
SITO members met with members of Mayor Jones' staff and heads of several city agencies, to discuss the SITO strategy. We greatly thank Nahuel Fefer, April Ford-Griffin, Bill Ratja and Lorna Anderson for their time and dedication.
June 4, 2021
Yesterday evening, Jim Roos, Executive Director, spoke about SITO for several minutes with members of Mayor Tishaura Jones's Stimulus Advisory Board, encouraging them to embrace a selective rehab strategy for the creation of affordable housing. Today, he delivered a letter on this topic to the mayor's Directory of Policy and Development, Nahuel Fefer.
Yesterday evening, Jim Roos, Executive Director, spoke about SITO for several minutes with members of Mayor Tishaura Jones's Stimulus Advisory Board, encouraging them to embrace a selective rehab strategy for the creation of affordable housing. Today, he delivered a letter on this topic to the mayor's Directory of Policy and Development, Nahuel Fefer.
May 27, 2021
The office of the St. Louis City Mayor, Tishaura Jones, is soliciting feedback on how to use the $517 million of incoming federal funds from the COVID-19 Stimulus Package (American Recovery Act). Help us advocate for selective rehab as a cost-effective means of providing affordable housing to low-income families! You can submit your feedback at the mayor's website, and refer to SITO and this website in your comments.
The office of the St. Louis City Mayor, Tishaura Jones, is soliciting feedback on how to use the $517 million of incoming federal funds from the COVID-19 Stimulus Package (American Recovery Act). Help us advocate for selective rehab as a cost-effective means of providing affordable housing to low-income families! You can submit your feedback at the mayor's website, and refer to SITO and this website in your comments.
May 26, 2021
SITO Executive Director, Jim Roos, attended a "Public Nuisance" hearing regarding 3835 Michigan. The city summarized the numerous police and other calls it had received in the past year, prior to SITO’s ownership. SITO recognizes that good property management means quickly and directly addressing problematic tenants.
SITO Executive Director, Jim Roos, attended a "Public Nuisance" hearing regarding 3835 Michigan. The city summarized the numerous police and other calls it had received in the past year, prior to SITO’s ownership. SITO recognizes that good property management means quickly and directly addressing problematic tenants.
May 7, 2021
The SITO rebirth is well underway!
From February to April, 11 people lent a total of $86k, interest-free, for five years. SITO also now has over $170k in net assets – thanks to a generous $150k donation from one couple plus $24k in donations from 20 others. Justine PETERSEN has $18 million in net assets. Both SITO and JP co-sign bank and individual loans.
Thanks to this initial outpouring of support, SITO purchased two buildings this week, a 4-family and a 2-family, for $185k. The buildings, located at 3437 Osage St and 3835 Michigan Ave in St. Louis, will undergo selective rehab to include roofs, windows, and doors, for roughly $115k. We expect to complete the work in six months. Jim Roos volunteers as construction manager.
This summer, the SITO board will decide how to search for and when to hire Jim Roos’ successor as Executive Director. This is a final milestone in SITO’s rebirth. Completed milestones to date include development of the new business plan and website, assembling the new board, getting initial loans and donations, and building a partnership with a major nonprofit organization, Justine PETERSEN Housing and Reinvestment Corporation.
SITO has $118k of $340k needed for the full 24-unit pilot project. Jim Roos will match, up to $100,000, any new loans to SITO. He was moved to do this by the $150k donation from a generous benefactor, and can do this by refinancing a 4-family he owns personally.
Your financing and gifts help redress the injustice that occurred because of historic discrimination on where black people could live and where loans were made. It is a remedy to that systemic injustice.
Importantly, your action challenges public officials to use public money in the same way! SITO is asking St. Louis City and County to apply 2% ($12 million) of their joint $707 million in COVID-19 Stimulus Package funds toward the selective rehab strategy advocated by SITO.
The SITO rebirth is well underway!
From February to April, 11 people lent a total of $86k, interest-free, for five years. SITO also now has over $170k in net assets – thanks to a generous $150k donation from one couple plus $24k in donations from 20 others. Justine PETERSEN has $18 million in net assets. Both SITO and JP co-sign bank and individual loans.
Thanks to this initial outpouring of support, SITO purchased two buildings this week, a 4-family and a 2-family, for $185k. The buildings, located at 3437 Osage St and 3835 Michigan Ave in St. Louis, will undergo selective rehab to include roofs, windows, and doors, for roughly $115k. We expect to complete the work in six months. Jim Roos volunteers as construction manager.
This summer, the SITO board will decide how to search for and when to hire Jim Roos’ successor as Executive Director. This is a final milestone in SITO’s rebirth. Completed milestones to date include development of the new business plan and website, assembling the new board, getting initial loans and donations, and building a partnership with a major nonprofit organization, Justine PETERSEN Housing and Reinvestment Corporation.
SITO has $118k of $340k needed for the full 24-unit pilot project. Jim Roos will match, up to $100,000, any new loans to SITO. He was moved to do this by the $150k donation from a generous benefactor, and can do this by refinancing a 4-family he owns personally.
Your financing and gifts help redress the injustice that occurred because of historic discrimination on where black people could live and where loans were made. It is a remedy to that systemic injustice.
Importantly, your action challenges public officials to use public money in the same way! SITO is asking St. Louis City and County to apply 2% ($12 million) of their joint $707 million in COVID-19 Stimulus Package funds toward the selective rehab strategy advocated by SITO.
March, 2021
A generous benefactor has made a $150,000 grant for long-term development of the SITO mission and strategy. We hope this vote of confidence will motivate others to consider making an interest-free loan for the pilot project!
A generous benefactor has made a $150,000 grant for long-term development of the SITO mission and strategy. We hope this vote of confidence will motivate others to consider making an interest-free loan for the pilot project!