ST. LOUIS – Kristie Shackelford is hanging on by a thread.
“It’s hard to feel like I have so much to give, but I don’t feel like my world around me values me,” Shackelford said.
Despite working four jobs, the single mother of three teenagers says it’s still not enough to meet their financial needs.
“Sometimes, you’re looking for your next gig as an artist and in trying to live in that world, things got really tight,” she said. “It was hard. It’s Christmas. I don’t have anything to give my kids.”
In early December, Kristie heard about the City of St. Louis’ Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The $3.3 million in federal funding is for residents struggling with past-due rent resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The city partnered with FORWARD, a Seattle-based company, to administer the program.
“On Instagram, I saw a post from the mayor, so I went directly to the website, gathered the information I needed to submit the application and submitted it,” Shackelford said. “Time stamp at 10:10 a.m. And I never heard back.”
The program’s website said applicants and landlords would be notified of their application status “after the review process that may take up to 10 days.”
Nearly 50 days since submitting her application, Kristie says she’s still in limbo. She received an email from FORWARD on Dec. 27, 2024, which she shared with us: “Unfortunately, we do not have a specific time frame for when a specialist will be assigned.” She shared an email from early January that says, “We should be reaching out to your landlord in the next week or so.” Kristie says that hasn’t happened.
“Not knowing is worse than if you just give me an answer,” she said.
Behind on rent and weeks from eviction, Kristie doesn’t have more time to wait.
“I sent $300 but that meant I didn’t have groceries. I didn’t have gas. You know? I’m playing this game. I’m hopeful I could put those funds together, but I don’t know if I can,” Shackelford said.
The City of St. Louis wouldn’t agree to an on-camera interview with FOX 2 News about this issue. They shared a statement that reads, in part: “While progress is being made in the review of every application, delays have occurred due to the lack of submission of required documentation and other issues, which slows the review process. While the City and FORWARD recognize the frustration delays may cause, we remain committed to processing applications as efficiently as possible to maximize the program’s impact on the St. Louis Community.”
FOX 2 promises to continue pressing the city for answers and we’ll share any updates when we get them.