Residents of St. Louis are calling for urgent action and support in the wake of the devastating tornado that struck on May 16, 2025. During a recent Budget and Public Employees Committee meeting, community members voiced their concerns about the slow response from city officials and the threat of gentrification in the aftermath of the disaster.

One resident, who operated an aid site during the recovery efforts, highlighted the alarming trend of investors attempting to buy out homes in affected neighborhoods. They emphasized the need for the city to prioritize keeping families in their homes and to support community recovery efforts rather than allowing outside interests to exploit the situation. “People need to be able to stay in their homes, and we need to recover in place,” they stated.

Demetrius Davis, a lifelong resident of North St. Louis, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of resources and recreation for the community. He pointed out the lack of facilities compared to other parts of the city and called for more investment in the North Side, which he described as the heart of St. Louis. “We need more resources, more recreation, and less bars,” he urged, advocating for the use of funds from the Rams settlement to support these initiatives.

Damon Starks, a housing justice organizer, presented specific funding requests to the committee, including a call to fully fund the right to counsel for vulnerable families facing eviction. He argued that the city must utilize available funds to support those most impacted by the tornado, as many families are still struggling to recover. “This was already passed. Why are we still fighting for this to be fully funded?” he questioned.

The meeting also saw concerns raised about the city’s handling of disaster recovery, with residents demanding transparency and accountability from local officials. Andrew Rucker, representing the Northside community, criticized the city’s response and called for better communication and resources for residents who have been affected by predatory practices in the housing market.

As the city moves forward with recovery efforts, the voices of residents underscore the critical need for immediate action to support those impacted by the tornado and to ensure that the community can rebuild without the threat of displacement. The committee's next steps will be crucial in determining how effectively these concerns are addressed and whether the necessary funding will be allocated to support the community's recovery.