Cornerstone Corporation

Cornerstone Corporation is a Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC) serving West End/Visitation Park (north of Delmar, note: not the Central West End) neighborhoods. We invest in people, not just property and know that our resources serve as a stepping stone out of poverty for people who, otherwise, run out of options. We are a capacity-building organization in partnership with, and a deeper focus on, our residents. The housing we provide is only the first step in building that capacity and stabilizing people in transition.

Cornerstone owns 11 properties which include 38 units that house 81 people. We believe in the potential of every person and offer affordable housing and resources to those that are dismissed or overlooked by other housing options because of poor credit scores or rental histories. All residents are low-income families/individuals and 96% have an annual income below $20,000. We offer housing for 25% below market rent and are able to welcome "high risk" individuals because the rent is supplemented by the generosity of the STL community rather than government subsidies who set more rigid standards in eligibility. Beyond an affordable, safe place to live, we seek to understand and support our residents by employing a Resident Champion who connects residents with resources and organizes educational opportunities. Those resources include case management for emergency and crisis circumstances, helping access needed benefits (healthcare, childcare vouchers, SNAP, etc.), or simply offering an empathetic ear during a tough time. We have recently begun organizing educational meetings to help residents with financial literacy which begins the work toward economic mobility.