By: Matt Emma

Demand for affordable housing consistently exceeds supply. In the rental sector, this often results in households paying a third or half their income on rent—if they are able to find housing at all.

Chris Krehmeyer, the President and CEO of the Missouri-based community development organization Beyond Housing, has four decades of experience working toward increasing access to affordable housing within the St. Louis region. His expertise in addressing barriers to financing, construction, and management of rental homes and apartments while collaborating with residents and local elected leaders provides him with unique insights into strategic solutions for the ongoing shortage of affordable housing.

As of late 2024, experts estimated that the U.S. was short 3.7 million homes for sale or rent to households with extremely low incomes. This is the target demographic for Beyond Housing’s nearly 800 rental homes and apartments, where monthly rent can reach up to $820 per month for a four-bedroom home. Income-qualified residents also receive customized support to assist in reaching their goals in education, employment, health, homeownership, and more.

“Beyond Housing has developed our comprehensive, holistic model over the past 50 years,” says Krehmeyer. “We have discovered that our actions must be guided by the voice of the community to ensure we are acting toward a common vision. Just as importantly, we ensure that our efforts are mutually reinforced to create greater impact, which makes each dollar invested significantly more effective.”

Stabilizing the Existing Housing Market

Beyond Housing’s place-based model centers on 23 suburban municipalities on the northern edge of the City of St. Louis. Many of the homes were built after World War II as the region expanded. However, decades of disinvestment led to a hollowing out of the economic base, and some homeowners find it difficult to maintain and repair their homes.

Recognizing that a decrease in the housing stock and an increase in the number of those seeking housing could further strain already high rents, Beyond Housing works to keep people in their homes. For example, in 2023 alone, the nonprofit invested more than $4.2 million in repairs to 171 homes, funded through grants from organizations such as the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

Beyond Housing is also active in efforts to help reduce crime, assist with title clearance, address energy costs, and other initiatives that can enhance the livability of local neighborhoods. Although these may seem like ancillary concerns, Krehmeyer notes that the affordable housing crisis does not exist in a bubble, which is why Beyond Housing takes a holistic approach.

In addition, national trends also play out on the ground locally. “Consumer debt reached an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2024, and that can have direct impacts on households’ ability to secure housing and pay their bills on time,” Krehmeyer says.

Adding New Construction

While it’s important to retain the existing housing stock, construction of new homes and apartments is a key element in addressing the affordable housing crisis. This is a tremendously complex endeavor, impacted by everything from local zoning restrictions to low-income housing tax credits to below-market, permanent financing.

“Since 2010, Beyond Housing has secured more than $47 million in new home construction for the communities we serve,” Krehmeyer says. “Through a network of longtime partners as well as new collaborators, we have access to the financial tools and construction expertise we need to successfully complete projects like our most recent one, the addition of 36 affordable rental homes in the City of Pagedale.”

Beyond Housing also supports other local developers who are building homes for sale through its homebuyer education courses and downpayment assistance programs that serve first-time homebuyers.

By taking a comprehensive approach, Beyond Housing is demonstrating that the challenges of affordable housing can be addressed. Its work in the St. Louis region serves as a potential model for other organizations looking to address this issue nationwide.