Bill Seidhoff

Rice: City Barricades Hurting Parking At Homeless Center

Tina Eaton — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:17:50 +0000

Reverend Larry Rice says he is tired of waiting for the city to remove barriers that have surrounded his homeless shelter in downtown St. Louis for the past five weeks.

Sidewalks on both sides of Locust Street in front of New Life Evangelistic Center are blocked off by metal barriers. Bill Seidhoff, the director of the city’s department of human services, said the city placed the barriers there after receiving calls from residents who were concerned about hygiene and safety because of the homeless people who congregate and sleep around the center.

St. Louis officials urge homeless to stay hydrated, seek shelter

Joseph Leahy — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:03:27 +0000

As this year’s heat wave wears on, St. Louis city officials are stepping up their efforts to keep the death toll among the area’s homeless population from rising.

Department of Human Services Director Bill Siedhoff says people living on the streets can be at greater risk for heat-related illness and death.

Setbacks lead church group to plan covert homeless camp

Joseph Leahy — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:43:05 +0000

A local church is taking a more low-key approach in its struggle with city officials to set up a homeless camp in St. Louis.

Rev. Larry Rice of the New Life Evangelistic Center was arrested last week as he attempted to open a tent city called Integrity Village on a two-acre plot of private land at Vendeventer Ave. north of Interstate 44. City officials cleared the site and condemned the area as a health hazard. But Rice's son, Rev. Chris Rice, says they aren’t giving up.

Homeless camp razed by riverfront, another coming to South City

Joseph Leahy — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:48:33 +0000

St. Louis city work crews demolished tents and makeshift structures with heavy machinery at another homeless camp north of the Arch grounds downtown this afternoon.

Fewer than 50 homeless persons were living at the camp known as Hopeville. All were gone by the time bulldozers and debris bins arrived today.

St. Louis Director of Human Services Bill Siedhoff says before leaving they were given federally-funded vouchers to cover the cost of permanent housing.

Protesters say St. Louis homeless camps must stay

Joseph Leahy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:13:24 +0000

Protesters marched from the homeless camps north of the Gateway Arch to St. Louis City Hall today demanding city officials freeze plans to raze the encampments next month.

About 50 people live in the three riverfront camps that the city’s Department of Human Services has deemed a risk to public health and safety.