Sustainable Housing & Equitable Development
Building Stable Foundations for Accessible and Inclusive Communities
Thank You to Our Sponsors & Supporters
Our Mission
SHED (Sustainable Housing & Equitable Development) strengthens housing equity for low-to-moderate-income residents of University City by providing home maintenance and repairs, building quality affordable housing, and supporting home ownership.
Our Programs
Volunteer Home Maintenance Program
SHED acts as coordinator and leader of volunteer activities to assist residents with exterior home maintenance, including painting, yard work, and repairs.
Home Rehab Program
Volunteers perform more substantial exterior and interior rehab & maintenance, involving community youth for hands-on experience in construction and landscaping.
Housing Development
Our Home Building Program seeks to purchase vacant lots in the 3rd Ward and construct single-family homes that will be sold to first-time, low-to-moderate-income buyers. Its goal is to add value and stability to the neighborhood and the City.
Home Buyer Education Program
The Home Buyer Education Program seeks to educate those planning to purchase a home, providing essential information about the buying process and available assistance programs. It also covers topics for current homeowners, such as maintenance and estate planning.
Youth Career Development
The Youth Career Development Program seeks to develop career paths for University City High School students, offering tracks in the construction and landscaping trades through in-class, volunteer, and paid employment opportunities.
Delivering help and hope to University City
Who we are
SHED works to strengthen housing equity for low- to moderate-income residents of University City.
We partner with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, city government, the school district, and other area service providers.
Our vision is to strengthen 3rd Ward neighborhoods through home ownership, access to affordable housing, and career pathways for local youth.
Recent Events & Programs
News & Updates
SHED Welcomes AmeriCorps
Summer Associate
This summer, SHED is pleased to welcome Mark Dowell as an AmeriCorps Summer Associate through the Serve the Lou AmeriCorps VISTA program. During the academic year, Mark teaches Spanish and Portuguese at Washington University in St. Louis. This summer, however, he has chosen to serve the community that he and his wife call home—University City’s Third Ward. Through SHED, Mark is supporting two key community partners: the School District of University City through SHED’s Youth Career Development Program and the Neighborhood Response Leaders (NRL) initiative.
Summer Training Connects Students With Skilled Trades
SHED’s Youth Career Development Program was in full swing this June as five University City High School students gained valuable paid, hands-on training in the construction trades. Working alongside program coordinator Stephen Wurst and volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis, students participated in cabinet deconstruction and removal, cabinet building, and residential demolition. Salvaged cabinets from the project will be refurbished and sold through Habitat’s ReStore, supporting affordable housing while keeping usable materials out of local landfills. READ MORE »
Online Auction Supports Students
SHED’s first-ever online auction raised $820 to support the organization’s Youth Career Development Program, helping University City High School students explore careers in the trades, gain hands-on work experience, and build valuable skills for the future.
Taylor-Hendrix Honored By CBN
Congratulations to SHED Board Chair Mimi Taylor-Hendrix, who was honored with the 2026 Resident Leadership Award during the Community Builders Network of Metropolitan St. Louis’ 14th Annual Community Development Family Reunion.
SHED Hosts Successful Housing Fair
Thank you once again to everyone who attended or participated in SHED‘s 2026 Housing Fair! Held in April at Refresh Community Church, the annual event brought together banks, lenders, and community organizations to connect residents with the resources they need to achieve and maintain homeownership.
Spring Work Days Make a Difference
This spring, SHED hosted two volunteer work weekends that brought neighbors and community partners together to help local homeowners with much-needed exterior maintenance. Together, more than 50 volunteers served eight homes over the course of three days, tackling projects that included yard cleanup, brush removal, gutter cleaning, mulch installation, and painting.