[background image] of a city map (for a pet store)image of educational workshops in progress (for an environmental conservation nonprofit)image of a farmer's market entranceimage of urban design projects

“Build Stability, Not Cells.”

In smaller or underfunded cities, housing inmates can strain local budgets.

In U.S. many cities and counties struggle financially because of the cost of housing inmates, especially when local jail populations are high.

In St. Louis, Missouri. The city jail system (including the notorious Workhouse) cost $16 million per year. A large portion of this came from holding people who couldn’t afford bail for minor offenses. In 2021, after public pressure and budget strain, the city voted to close the Workhouse to reallocate those funds.
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Vestlink

incarceration costs are a budget burden for many cities, especially smaller ones with overcrowded jails, outdated facilities, or high pretrial detention rates. These costs often take away from community development, housing, and public services.

Here's How VestLink Helps Lower Crime Risk:

Sat
15
Mar 2025
Community

🏘️ Affordable Housing Access

Modular homes and community-owned housing ease homelessness and overcrowding — two major predictors of crime.

🥘 Community Food Systems

Farmers markets, soup houses, and low-cost restaurants reduce food insecurity, which is often linked to theft and desperation-based offenses.
image of a farmer's market entrance
Thu
22
Feb 2024
Education

🎓 Mentorship & Education Programs

OccuLink mentorship, job training, and grow-to-sell youth programs give residents purpose and a path forward

🤝 Reinvestment, Not Punishment

Every dollar earned through VestLink is reinvested into the community — not spent on locking people away.

🧠 Restoring Dignity and Ownership
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When residents become shareholders in their own neighborhoods, they protect what they own. Pride replaces survival mode.
HomeCity Outreach More advantages

Event moments, captured together

Browse highlights from our latest gathering—real people, real progress, and the energy of community in every frame.

image of a farmer's market entrance
image of educational workshops in progress (for an environmental conservation nonprofit)
[background image] image of construction site with crane for a construction company
image of garment care team brainstorming solutions
image of volunteers working at an event
[interface] image of game development tools
image of tech meeting (for a consumer apps)
image of a community event hosted by an insurance agency & company

As crime drops, so do jail populations and incarceration costs.
Funds can be redirected to growth, not punishment — while rebuilding public trust in city leadership.“ It’s not about handouts. It’s about giving communities the tools to sustain themselves. When people feel secure and seen, they don’t have to act out of desperation.”

Community Member
Gerald A Spears Foundation
Upcoming event

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