What St. Louis County Housing Authority does

St. Louis County Housing Authority (SLCHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs for low-income residents in unincorporated St. Louis County. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing properties, and handles rental information. The agency does not serve the City of St. Louis itself — that is handled by the St. Louis Housing Authority, a separate entity.

SLCHA's main role is to connect people with affordable housing options and help landlords accept subsidized tenants. If you live in unincorporated St. Louis County and need housing support, SLCHA is the body that determines what programs you might access and manages your case if you are accepted into one.

The agency operates from a central office and maintains a waiting list for its programs. Because demand exceeds available funding, most programs have closed waiting lists — meaning you cannot add your name until the list reopens, which happens irregularly.

Key Takeaways

  • SLCHA serves unincorporated St. Louis County only; the City of St. Louis is served by a different housing authority.
  • The agency runs Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and emergency rental information, but most programs have closed waiting lists.
  • You must contact SLCHA directly to learn whether a waiting list is open and what documents you need to provide.
  • Processing times vary by program, but Section 8 cases typically take several months from acceptance to receiving a voucher.
  • SLCHA staff can explain income limits, family size rules, and what happens after you are accepted into a program.

Section 8 vouchers through SLCHA

Section 8 is a federal program that pays part of your rent directly to your landlord. SLCHA administers the vouchers in St. Louis County. When you receive a voucher, you find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to accept Section 8, and SLCHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest.

SLCHA's Section 8 waiting list has been closed for years. You cannot add your name unless the agency announces the list is open. When it does reopen — which is unpredictable — the list fills quickly. You can contact SLCHA to ask whether the list is currently accepting names and request to be notified if it opens.

If you are accepted into Section 8, you will need to find a landlord willing to participate in the program. Not all landlords accept Section 8 vouchers. SLCHA provides a list of participating landlords, but you can also approach landlords directly and ask if they will accept the voucher.

Public housing managed by SLCHA

SLCHA owns and operates public housing apartments throughout unincorporated St. Louis County. These are affordable units where you pay rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income. Public housing is separate from Section 8; you explore to live in SLCHA's own buildings rather than finding a private landlord.

Like Section 8, public housing has a waiting list that is often closed. The length of the wait varies depending on the type of unit you need (family, elderly, or disability-accessible) and current demand. SLCHA can tell you the current wait time and whether your family size matches available units.

Living in public housing means SLCHA is your landlord. The agency sets lease terms, handles maintenance, and can evict you for lease violations. You have tenant rights under state law and SLCHA's own policies, but the relationship is different from renting from a private landlord.

Emergency rental information and other programs

SLCHA sometimes administers emergency rental information funds when they are available through federal or state grants. These programs pay rent you already owe to prevent eviction. Funding is temporary and runs out; when it does, the program closes until new money arrives.

To learn whether emergency rental information is currently available, contact SLCHA directly. The agency can tell you whether funds are open, what income limits explore, and what documents you need. If funds are closed, ask to be placed on a notification list so you know when they reopen.

SLCHA may also administer other temporary programs depending on what grants the county receives. These change year to year and are not permanent. The agency's website and phone line are the best sources for current information about what is available.

How to contact St. Louis County Housing Authority

SLCHA's main office is located in Clayton, Missouri. You can reach the agency by phone, mail, or in person. The phone line is the fastest way to learn whether a waiting list is open and what the current wait time is for a specific program.

When you call, have your household income, family size, and any special needs (disability, elderly status) ready. SLCHA staff will tell you whether you meet basic income limits and what the next step is. If a waiting list is open, they will explain what documents to bring or mail in.

You can also visit the SLCHA office in person to ask questions and pick up process materials. Hours and location information are available through the agency's main phone number or website.

Income limits and family size rules

SLCHA programs have income limits based on the area median income for St. Louis County. These limits vary by program and family size. A family of four has a different limit than a single person or a family of six.

Income is calculated as gross monthly or annual income from all sources: wages, self-employment, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular payments. SLCHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify your income.

If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for the program. If it is below the limit, you move forward in the process. SLCHA will explain the exact limit that applies to your household size when you contact them.

What happens after you are accepted

If you are accepted into Section 8, SLCHA will issue you a voucher and explain how to use it. You then have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find an apartment and a landlord who will accept the voucher. SLCHA staff can help you understand the search process and answer questions about how much rent you can afford.

Once you find an apartment and the landlord agrees, SLCHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, SLCHA signs a lease with the landlord and you move in. You pay your portion of the rent and SLCHA pays theirs directly to the landlord each month.

If you are accepted into public housing, SLCHA will contact you when a unit matching your family size becomes available. You will sign a lease and move in. Your rent is recalculated each year based on your current income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SLCHA serve the City of St. Louis?

No. SLCHA serves unincorporated St. Louis County only. If you live in the City of St. Louis, you need to contact the St. Louis Housing Authority instead. The two agencies are separate and do not share waiting lists or programs.

How long is the wait for Section 8 or public housing?

Wait times vary and depend on whether the list is open. When lists are closed, you cannot add your name at all. When they reopen, wait times can range from months to several years depending on the program and your family size. Call SLCHA to ask the current wait time for your situation.

Can I explore if I have an eviction record or bad credit?

SLCHA considers your full housing history but does not automatically reject you for past evictions or credit problems. Each case is reviewed individually. Contact the agency to discuss your situation; they can explain what factors they consider and whether you meet the requirements.

What if the waiting list is closed?

Ask SLCHA to notify you when the list reopens. The agency keeps a notification list and will contact you when applications are accepted again. You can also call periodically to check the status, though notification is more reliable than checking yourself.

Do I have to use a SLCHA landlord for Section 8?

No. You can find any landlord willing to accept Section 8. SLCHA provides a list of landlords who have participated before, but you are not limited to that list. You can approach any landlord and ask if they will accept a voucher.