Where to Find Low-Income Housing in St. Louis

St. Louis has three main routes to low-income housing: the Housing Authority of the City of St. Louis (which runs Section 8 vouchers), St. Louis County Housing Authority (if you live in unincorporated county areas), and nonprofit developers who own deed-restricted affordable apartments. The city and county authorities maintain separate waiting lists, so your location matters. Most affordable units in the city are managed by organizations like Justine PETERMAN Housing, Beyond Housing, and Habitat for Humanity St. Louis.

The fastest way to learn what is currently available is to call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Missouri) and ask for affordable housing resources in your zip code. They can tell you which programs have open waiting lists that month, because availability changes constantly. You can also visit the City of St. Louis Housing Authority website directly to check Section 8 status and search their rental information database.

Key Takeaways

  • St. Louis City and St. Louis County each run separate housing authorities with their own waiting lists, so you must contact the one that covers your address.
  • Section 8 vouchers in St. Louis City are currently closed to new applicants, but the county authority may have different status — call 211 to confirm current openings.
  • Nonprofit-owned affordable apartments do not use vouchers and often have shorter waiting lists than the housing authority; 211 can refer you to buildings in your neighborhood.
  • Income limits for low-income housing in St. Louis range from 30 percent to 80 percent of area median income depending on the program, and you will need recent pay stubs or tax returns to verify income.
  • Rental information programs separate from housing vouchers exist through the city and county and may reopen after funding runs out; 211 tracks which ones are currently accepting applications.

Section 8 Vouchers Through St. Louis Housing Authorities

The Housing Authority of the City of St. Louis administers Section 8 vouchers for residents living within city limits. As of the most recent update, the city authority's waiting list is closed to new applicants. The St. Louis County Housing Authority serves unincorporated areas of the county and may have different waiting list status. You must explore to the authority that covers your address; a voucher from one will not transfer to the other.

When a waiting list opens, you will need to submit proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and identification. The process from process to receiving a voucher typically takes several months to over a year, depending on how many people are ahead of you on the list. Once you receive a voucher, you search for a landlord willing to accept it, and the authority pays the landlord a portion of your rent; you pay the remainder.

To check the current status of Section 8 in your area, contact the City of St. Louis Housing Authority at (314) 622-4900 or visit their office at 1901 Convention Plaza. For St. Louis County, call the County Housing Authority at (314) 877-5000. Both can tell you whether their list is open and when you might expect it to reopen if it is closed.

Nonprofit-Owned Affordable Apartments

Dozens of nonprofit organizations in St. Louis own and manage affordable rental buildings that do not require a Section 8 voucher. These include Beyond Housing, Justine PETERMAN Housing, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, and the St. Louis Housing Authority's own public housing portfolio. Waiting lists for these buildings are often shorter than the Section 8 list, and some have no waiting list at all.

Income limits for nonprofit housing vary by building and funding source. Some serve households at 30 percent of area median income (roughly $18,000 annually for a single person in St. Louis), while others go up to 60 or 80 percent of median income. You will need to contact each building or organization directly to learn their income limit, current availability, and what documents they require. Many accept applications year-round, even when the housing authority's list is closed.

Call 211 and provide your zip code to get a list of affordable buildings near you, along with phone numbers and current status. You can also search the National Housing Preservation Database online by entering your St. Louis address to see deed-restricted affordable properties within a few miles.

Rental information and Emergency Programs

St. Louis City and St. Louis County both operate rental information programs separate from housing vouchers. These programs pay landlords directly to cover back rent, current rent, or utilities when a household faces a temporary hardship. Unlike Section 8, which is permanent, rental information is usually a one-time payment or short-term help.

may be able to access and funding for these programs change frequently. Some years the city and county have active programs; other years they are closed while waiting for new federal funding. To find out whether rental information is currently available in your area, call 211 or contact the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services at (314) 589-6500. If a program is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.

When a rental information program is open, you typically need a signed lease, proof of income, proof of the hardship (such as a job loss letter or medical bill), and your landlord's banking information. Processing usually takes two to six weeks.

Income Limits and What You Will Pay

Low-income housing programs in St. Louis use area median income (AMI) to set income limits. The current AMI for a single person in the St. Louis area is approximately $60,000 annually, though this figure changes each year. A program serving households at 50 percent AMI would accept a single person earning up to roughly $30,000 per year.

Most programs require that your rent not exceed 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If you earn $1,500 per month, your rent would be capped at $450. Some Section 8 vouchers allow you to pay more if you choose a nicer apartment, but you cover the difference yourself. Nonprofit affordable housing often has fixed rents regardless of your income, so a building might charge $600 per month to all residents earning below 60 percent AMI.

To verify your income, programs ask for recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your hourly rate and hours per week. If you are self-employed, retired, or receiving benefits, bring documentation of that income source.

Documents You Will Need to Gather

Before you contact any housing program, collect these documents in one place: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency), and proof of income. For income, gather the most recent two months of pay stubs, or your last two years of tax returns if you are self-employed, or a benefits award letter if you receive Social Security or disability.

If you are explore for rental information, you will also need a signed lease showing your current rent amount, your landlord's name and contact information, and proof of the hardship (termination letter, medical bills, or a letter explaining the situation). If you are explore for a housing voucher or nonprofit housing, you may need references from previous landlords or employers, though this varies by program.

Keep copies of everything you submit. Programs sometimes lose documents, and having duplicates saves time if you need to reapply or if they ask for clarification.

how the process works and What Happens Next

Start by calling 211 to learn which programs are currently open in your area. They will give you phone numbers and addresses. Then contact each program directly — do not wait for them to contact you. Ask whether they are accepting applications, what their income limit is, and what documents you need to bring.

For Section 8, you will explore in person at the housing authority office during business hours. Bring all your documents and be prepared to wait; many offices have long lines. For nonprofit housing, you may be able to explore by phone, mail, or online, depending on the organization. For rental information, contact your city or county department of human services to learn where applications are being taken.

After you explore, ask when you should expect to hear back. Section 8 can take months or years. Nonprofit housing and rental information usually respond within two to four weeks. If you do not hear back within that timeframe, call and ask for a status update. Programs are often understaffed, and a follow-up call can move your process forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in St. Louis City to get housing help, or can I live in the county?

It depends on which program. The City of St. Louis Housing Authority serves only people living within city limits. The St. Louis County Housing Authority serves unincorporated county areas and some municipalities. If you live in a city like Clayton, Webster Groves, or Kirkwood, you may need to contact that city's housing office or the county authority. Call 211 with your address and they will direct you to the right office.

What if I have an eviction on my record or I am currently being evicted?

Most programs will still consider you, though an active eviction may delay your process. Some rental information programs prioritize people with active court cases because they can pay the landlord before the eviction goes through. Tell the program about the eviction when you explore and bring the court notice. Do not hide it — programs find out anyway, and honesty helps your case.

Can I explore to multiple programs at the same time?

Yes. You can be on the Section 8 waiting list, explore to nonprofit housing, and request rental information all at once. There is no penalty for explore to more than one program. In fact, it is the smart approach because waiting lists are long and funding is unpredictable. Just make sure you report any changes in income or housing status to all programs you have applied to.

What if my income is too high for low-income housing but I still cannot afford market rent?

Some nonprofit buildings serve households up to 80 percent of area median income, which is higher than traditional low-income programs. Call 211 and ask specifically for "workforce housing" or "mixed-income" buildings. You can also search the National Housing Preservation Database online. If nothing is available, ask about rent information programs that do not have an income cap, though these are rare and usually temporary.

How long does it actually take to get into housing after I explore?

For Section 8, expect one to three years from process to receiving a voucher, depending on how many people are ahead of you. For nonprofit housing, it is usually two weeks to three months. For rental information, it is typically two to six weeks if the program is open. These timelines are not may provide — some people wait longer, and some get lucky and move faster.