St. Joseph Housing Initiative To Rehab Six Homes With Donation From Simon Law

ST. LOUIS, Mo., November 3, 2025 – St. Joseph Housing Initiative turns dilapidated properties into homes for low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Now, thanks to a donation from Simon Law, the nonprofit will soon turn six more houses into homes.

The nonprofit has already rehabilitated and sold 16 houses to first-time homebuyers since its founding in 2019 in some of the most densely populated neighborhoods with a high percentage of renters vs. owners.

Three of those homes were in the city’s Baden neighborhood, while the rest have been concentrated in the Dutchtown neighborhood, where five more are currently under construction with one on the market.

“We lose about $50,000 on every house we sell,” said Christy McCutcheon, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Housing Initiative. “This is the largest donation our organization has ever received.

“It means we will be able to get to work on six additional properties faster than we ever could have on our own. The generosity of Simon Law will make home ownership dreams come true for more families and get them on track to start building generational wealth and equity now.”

A recent study by the University of Missouri — St. Louis showed that property crime dropped by 30% and violent crime by 50% in the areas where St. Joseph’s Housing Initiative has rehabbed and sold homes.

“The firm sees this donation as investment in our city,” said John G. Simon, Simon Law Founder. “This organization’s approach goes beyond fixing bricks and mortar.

“It truly rebuilds community, offering homeownership classes to ensure homebuyers are prepared for the responsibility and set up for long-term success. You save communities by building communities, and that’s what this organization truly does.”

To be selected to buy a home from the nonprofit, prospective homebuyers must complete a six- to eight-week course that includes financial management, insurance and other aspects of home ownership.

Every family is given a $5,000 loan as a down payment that is forgivable after five years.

“Every one of our families remains in their homes,” McCutcheon said. “It’s a testament to what we’re trying to accomplish and building stable communities.”

The nonprofit is based at St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School. The school’s President Mike England is a founding member of the organization.

“Archbishop Carlson wanted to do something as a response to the Ferguson Report and he wanted it to be around creating home ownership opportunities for low to moderate income families that had never been able to own a home before, allowing them to build up their own personal wealth and equity,” England said. “St. Joseph Housing Initiative was born from that decree.”

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School is an all-boys Catholic high school based in Dutchtown. Students often perform service projects at St. Joseph’s Housing Initiative homes, exposing them to careers in the trades and the apprenticeship program the high school offers.

“It has become part of the fabric of our community here at St. Mary’s, as we understand investment in the community we have called home for close to 100 years is crucial,” England said. “Simon Law’s incredibly generous donation is a tremendous boost to that part of our mission.”

About St. Joseph’s Housing Initiative:

More than 80% of the houses renovated by SJHI were vacancies prior to their renovation. In transforming these problem properties into owner-occupied homes, SJHI fulfills a second goal of creating vibrant communities. All this work is made possible through robust community partnerships, fueled by generous funders and donors, and supported by the dedicated service of SJHI volunteers.

About Simon Law:

Founded in 2001, Simon Law is a nationally recognized personal injury and business litigation trial firm based in St. Louis, Missouri. The firm partners with referring attorneys throughout Missouri and across the country and has secured four nine-figure verdicts in the past two years, totaling nearly $2 billion.

About St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School:

St. Mary’s SSC is a Catholic high school rooted in the Marianist tradition, dedicated to developing responsible young men who are prepared to live as contributing and successful members of society who witness Jesus Christ to the world.

Media Contact:
Christine Byers
Simon Law Marketing Director
cbyers@simonlawpc.com