What the St. Louis Housing Authority does

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in the city of St. Louis. It does not cover St. Louis County — that is a separate jurisdiction with its own housing authority. SLHA administers public housing units (apartments it owns and operates), Section 8 vouchers (subsidies that help you pay rent at a private landlord's property), and other information programs.

SLHA is not a landlord you contact to rent an apartment. It is the agency that determines whether you meet the income and other requirements for its programs, maintains a waiting list, and processes your paperwork. If you receive a voucher or are placed in public housing, you then deal with the property owner or manager for day-to-day issues like maintenance requests.

Key Takeaways

  • SLHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers only within the city of St. Louis; St. Louis County has a separate housing authority.
  • Most SLHA programs have waiting lists that can be years long, and you must meet income limits based on household size.
  • You can contact SLHA directly to ask about current waiting list status, but the agency does not take new applications when lists are closed.
  • If you live in public housing managed by SLHA, you pay rent based on 30 percent of your household income, with SLHA covering the rest.
  • Section 8 vouchers work the same way — you find a private rental and SLHA pays the landlord the difference between your 30 percent contribution and the market rent.

SLHA public housing and how rent works

SLHA owns and operates public housing apartments throughout the city. These are not temporary shelters — they are permanent rental units where residents can live long-term. To live in SLHA public housing, your household income must fall below a certain threshold (the limit varies by household size and changes yearly). You also must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, have no serious criminal history, and pass a background check.

In SLHA public housing, you pay rent equal to 30 percent of your gross household income. SLHA covers the remaining cost of operating the unit. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises. This is different from private rental, where rent is fixed regardless of what you earn. You sign a lease with SLHA and can stay as long as you meet the program rules.

Section 8 vouchers through SLHA

A Section 8 voucher is a monthly subsidy that SLHA pays directly to a private landlord on your behalf. You find your own apartment (within the city of St. Louis, in most cases) at any rent level, and SLHA pays the difference between what you can afford (30 percent of your income) and what the landlord charges, up to a limit called the "fair market rent" for that area.

To use a Section 8 voucher, the landlord must agree to participate in the program and pass an inspection. Not all landlords accept vouchers. Once you have a voucher and a landlord who accepts it, SLHA signs a contract with the landlord and you sign a lease. You pay your 30 percent share directly to the landlord each month, and SLHA pays its share. If you move, you can take the voucher with you to a new unit (as long as it meets program standards and the new landlord participates).

SLHA waiting lists and how to get on them

Both SLHA public housing and Section 8 vouchers have waiting lists. The length of these lists varies — sometimes they are open to new applicants, and sometimes they are closed because too many people are already waiting. You cannot know the current status without contacting SLHA directly. When a list is open, you can request an process. When it is closed, you cannot explore until it reopens, which may be months or years later.

To contact SLHA about waiting list status, call the main office at (314) 331-6700 or visit the agency in person at 1901 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63103. Staff can tell you whether the public housing list or the Section 8 list (or both) are currently open. If a list is open, ask what documents you need to bring or submit with your process. If a list is closed, ask whether SLHA maintains a notification system to alert you when it reopens.

Documents you will need for an SLHA process

SLHA requires proof of identity, income, and residency. Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). You will need recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer showing your income. If you receive benefits (Social Security, unemployment, TANF, SNAP), bring documentation of those. You will also need proof that you live in St. Louis — a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency with your current address.

If you have dependents, bring birth certificates or custody documents. If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the process process or in your housing, tell SLHA staff when you explore — they are required to work with you. Bring any documents that support your request, such as a letter from a doctor or a disability information letter.

What happens after you submit an process

SLHA will verify the information you provided — your income, identity, and background. This takes time; the agency may contact your employer, your landlord, or other sources. SLHA will also run a criminal background check and a credit check. If you have an eviction judgment, unpaid rent, or certain criminal convictions, you may be denied. SLHA will send you a letter with the decision.

If you are approved, you go on the waiting list. Your position on the list depends on the program's rules — some use date of process, some prioritize by need. SLHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. The wait can be months or years. Keep your contact information current with SLHA; if they cannot reach you, they may move to the next person on the list.

SLHA rules and lease requirements

Whether you live in SLHA public housing or use a Section 8 voucher, you must follow program rules. You cannot engage in criminal activity, drug use, or violence. You cannot damage the unit or allow others to damage it. You must allow SLHA (or the landlord, if you have a voucher) to inspect the unit. You must report changes in your household — if someone moves in or out, if your income changes, if you are arrested or convicted of a crime.

If you break the lease or violate program rules, SLHA or your landlord can evict you. An eviction from SLHA housing or a Section 8 voucher will make it much harder to find housing in the future. If you are having trouble following the rules or paying your share of rent, contact SLHA or your landlord when ready to discuss your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SLHA cover St. Louis County?

No. SLHA serves only the city of St. Louis. St. Louis County has its own housing authority, the St. Louis County Housing Authority, which manages programs in the county. Contact the county authority if you live outside the city limits.

How long is the waiting list?

The length varies and changes over time. Call SLHA at (314) 331-6700 to ask the current wait time for public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Some lists are years long; others may be shorter or closed entirely.

What if I have a criminal record?

SLHA will consider your background, but a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. The agency looks at the type of crime, how long ago it occurred, and whether you have rehabilitated. Contact SLHA to discuss your specific situation before you explore.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher outside St. Louis?

SLHA vouchers are generally limited to the city of St. Louis and a small surrounding area. If you want to move out of state or to a distant city, you may be able to transfer your voucher to another housing authority, but you must request this and the receiving authority must agree. Ask SLHA about portability before you plan a move.

What if my landlord will not accept a Section 8 voucher?

A landlord can choose not to participate in Section 8, and you cannot force them to. You will need to find a different unit with a landlord who accepts vouchers. SLHA staff can provide a list of landlords in the area who participate in the program.