What the Saint Louis Housing Authority does

The Saint Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing units across the city of Saint Louis, Missouri. It also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8), which lets low-income households rent from private landlords using a voucher that covers part of the rent. SLHA does not build or fund housing itself — it manages federal money that comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Authority operates from a central office and maintains properties throughout the city. If you live in SLHA public housing or hold an SLHA voucher, SLHA is your landlord or your voucher administrator — they set the rules for your lease, handle maintenance requests, collect rent information, and can terminate your tenancy if you violate lease terms.

SLHA also runs some supportive services for residents, though the scope and funding of these programs change year to year. These may include job training referrals, financial literacy workshops, or connections to social services, but housing itself is the core function.

Key Takeaways

  • SLHA manages public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income Saint Louis residents; it is the landlord or voucher administrator, not a separate service provider.
  • Public housing waitlists are typically closed or have long waits; the voucher program also has a waitlist that opens and closes based on funding.
  • If you live in SLHA housing or hold a voucher, you must report changes in income, household size, or employment to SLHA within a set timeframe or risk losing your benefit.
  • SLHA lease violations and evictions follow Missouri state law plus SLHA's own lease terms; you have the right to notice and a chance to respond before termination.
  • Contact SLHA directly for questions about your specific lease, voucher, or maintenance issues — their staff can tell you what documents you need and what the current wait times are.

Public housing vs. Housing Choice Vouchers

SLHA offers two different paths to affordable housing. Public housing means SLHA owns the building and you are their tenant. You pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your adjusted gross income), and SLHA is responsible for maintenance and repairs. Public housing units are scattered across the city in various buildings and complexes.

Housing Choice Vouchers work differently: you find a rental unit on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and SLHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference out of pocket. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to participate, and the unit must pass SLHA's inspection standards.

Both programs require you to meet income limits, which vary by household size. Both also require you to report changes in your circumstances — job loss, a new household member, a raise in pay — because your rent contribution may change. Failure to report can result in overpayment, which SLHA will ask you to repay.

How to contact SLHA and what documents to bring

SLHA's main office is located at 4340 Forest Park Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108. You can reach them by phone at (314) 286-6000 during business hours. They also have a website where you can find information about current programs and sometimes submit questions, though phone contact is usually faster for urgent matters.

If you are calling about a specific lease, voucher, or maintenance issue, have your lease number or voucher number ready. If you are asking about waitlist status or program rules, you may not need documents, but if you are reporting a change in income or household size, bring recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or proof of job loss. SLHA staff can tell you exactly what they need when you call.

For maintenance emergencies — no heat, a burst pipe, a serious electrical problem — SLHA typically has an emergency line separate from the main number. Ask when you call the main office, or check your lease for the emergency contact.

Waitlists and how long they take

Both public housing and voucher waitlists operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability varies widely. The public housing waitlist is often closed because demand far exceeds the number of available units. When it does open, wait times can range from several months to several years depending on your household size and the type of unit you need.

The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist also closes periodically when funding runs out. SLHA does not have a set schedule for when it reopens — this depends on federal appropriations and local turnover. You can call SLHA to ask whether the waitlist is currently open and, if it is closed, whether they have a waiting list to join the waitlist (some housing authorities maintain this).

If you are on a waitlist, SLHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. Keep your contact information current with them, because if they cannot reach you, they may move to the next person on the list.

Lease rules and what happens if you violate them

Your SLHA lease sets out your obligations as a tenant. Common lease violations include non-payment of rent, unauthorized occupants, criminal activity, damage to the unit beyond normal wear, and violation of house rules (such as noise or pet restrictions). SLHA can also terminate your lease if you or a household member engages in drug-related criminal activity, even if the activity happens off the property.

If SLHA believes you have violated your lease, they must give you written notice. The notice will state the violation and give you a important date to cure it (fix it) or move out — typically 14 to 30 days depending on the severity. For serious violations like criminal activity, SLHA may give you less time or no opportunity to cure.

You have the right to respond to the notice. If you disagree with SLHA's claim or believe you have a valid reason for the violation, you can request a hearing before an SLHA official. This is your chance to present your side. If SLHA proceeds with eviction, they must file in Saint Louis Circuit Court, and you can defend yourself there as well. Missouri law requires SLHA to follow proper eviction procedures; they cannot straightforward lock you out.

Reporting changes and avoiding overpayment

SLHA calculates your rent based on your household income, size, and composition. If your income increases, your rent goes up. If a household member moves out or a new person moves in, your rent may change. If you get a job or lose a job, you must report it.

You are typically required to report changes within 10 to 30 days — check your lease for the exact important date. Report in writing if possible (email or mail), and keep a copy. If you do not report and SLHA discovers the change during a recertification or inspection, you may owe back rent at the higher rate, and SLHA can pursue eviction for lease violation.

Recertification happens annually or every two years depending on your program. SLHA will send you a form asking about your current income, household members, and employment. You must return it by the important date with supporting documents (pay stubs, tax returns, proof of benefits). If you miss the important date, your voucher or lease may be terminated.

Maintenance and repairs

If you live in SLHA public housing, SLHA is responsible for maintaining the building and making repairs. Submit maintenance requests in writing or by phone — your lease will tell you how. For non-emergency repairs, SLHA typically responds within 5 to 10 business days. For emergencies (no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazards), call the emergency line when ready.

If SLHA does not make a repair within a reasonable time and the problem affects your health or safety, you may have the right to withhold rent or repair-and-deduct under Missouri law, but this is complicated and risky. Before you do this, contact a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group to understand your rights in your specific situation.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher and rent from a private landlord, the landlord is responsible for repairs. However, the unit must pass SLHA's inspection standards. If the landlord fails to make repairs, you can report it to SLHA, and they may fail the unit on inspection, which means the landlord must fix it or you cannot use your voucher there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I meet the income limit?

Income limits vary by household size and change each year. SLHA publishes current limits on their website or you can call them. Generally, you must earn no more than 50 to 80 percent of the area median income depending on the program. Call (314) 286-6000 and give them your household size and annual income; they can tell you whether you likely meet the limit.

What if I cannot reach SLHA by phone?

Try calling during different times of day — morning calls are often less busy. You can also visit the office in person at 4340 Forest Park Avenue during business hours. If you have an urgent maintenance issue, look for the emergency number on your lease or in your lease packet. For legal questions about your rights, contact a local legal aid organization like Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.

Can SLHA evict me without going to court?

No. SLHA must follow Missouri eviction law, which requires them to file in court and give you notice and a chance to respond. They cannot lock you out or remove your belongings without a court order. If you receive an eviction notice, you can file a response in court or request a hearing with SLHA first.

What happens to my voucher if I move out of state?

Housing Choice Vouchers are tied to the housing authority that issued them. If you move out of Saint Louis, you cannot use an SLHA voucher. However, some housing authorities have portability agreements that allow you to transfer your voucher to another city. Call SLHA before you move to ask whether portability is an option.

Do I have to pay utilities if I live in SLHA public housing?

It depends on your lease. Some SLHA units include utilities in the rent; others do not. Check your lease or call SLHA to confirm what you are responsible for. If your lease says utilities are included and SLHA bills you separately, that is a lease violation on SLHA's part and you should report it in writing.