August 2026 Public Housing Resident Newsletter
Table of Contents:
CEO Message – Listening and Leading
Feature Story – Understanding Your Lease: Paying Rent on Time
Safe & Sound – Understanding Your Lease: Paying Rent on Time
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Building Financial Confidence with Prosperity Connection
Free Early Childhood Education & Family Support
CEO Message
Listening and Leading
Dear Residents,
As summer begins to wind down and families prepare for the return to school and fall activities, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being part of our County Housing community.
At County Housing, our mission extends beyond providing housing; we are committed to supporting strong, vibrant communities where residents feel valued, heard, and connected. Throughout the year, we continue to listen to your feedback and work alongside our staff and resident leaders to identify opportunities for improvement across our properties and programs.
August is often a season of transition. For some families, it means preparing children for a new school year. For others, it may be a time to focus on personal goals, employment opportunities, or building stronger connections with neighbors. Whatever this season looks like for you, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources available through County Housing and our community partners.
I also want to remind residents that your voice matters. Whether you participate in resident meetings, community events, surveys, or conversations with our staff, your feedback helps guide our decisions and shape the services we provide. Listening to residents remains one of the most important ways we can continue to improve and strengthen our communities.
As always, thank you for choosing to be engaged members of our community. Together, we can continue building neighborhoods that are welcoming, supportive, and full of opportunity.
Wishing you and your family a safe, successful, and enjoyable end to the summer season.
Warmly,
Shannon Koenig
Executive Director & CEO
County Housing
Feature Story
Understanding Your Lease: Paying Rent on Time
One of the most important responsibilities outlined in your lease agreement is paying your rent on time each month. Timely rent payments help ensure County Housing can continue to maintain properties, provide services, and support our communities.
When Is Rent Due?
Rent is due on the first day of each month. If rent is not paid by the fifth day of the month, and no alternative payment arrangement has been approved by County Housing, lease enforcement procedures may begin.
What Happens If Rent Is Not Paid?
According to your lease agreement, if rent remains unpaid after the fifth day of the month and County Housing has not agreed to accept payment at a later date, a 14-Day Notice to Vacate may be issued. This notice requires the resident to either:
- Pay the full amount owed, or
- Surrender possession of the unit.
Communication Is Key
We understand that unexpected financial challenges can happen. If you are experiencing difficulties that may affect your ability to pay rent on time, it is important to contact your Property Manager as soon as possible. Early communication may help us better understand your situation and discuss available options.
Stay Informed
Your lease is an important document that outlines both your rights and responsibilities as a resident. Taking time to review your lease can help you avoid misunderstandings and maintain your housing successfully.
If you have questions about your rent, lease obligations, or need assistance understanding any part of your lease, please contact your Property Manager.
Working together, we can help keep our communities strong and successful for everyone.
Safe & Sound
Keeping Our Communities Safe Together
As summer winds down and families prepare for a new school year, it’s a great time to review a few simple safety tips that can help keep our communities safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.
Watch for Children at Play
With children enjoying the last weeks of summer and preparing to return to school, please use extra caution when driving through parking lots and residential areas. Slow down, stay alert, and watch for children who may be playing outside or crossing streets unexpectedly.
Secure Your Home
Help protect your household by locking doors and windows when leaving your home, even for short periods. Be sure to report any broken locks, damaged doors, or maintenance concerns to your Property Management team promptly.
Know Your Neighbors
One of the best ways to build a safe community is by getting to know the people around you. Friendly connections among neighbors help create a stronger sense of community and encourage everyone to look out for one another.
Keep Common Areas Clean and Clear
Please help maintain safe walkways, stairwells, and common areas by properly disposing of trash and removing personal belongings that may create tripping hazards or obstruct emergency access.
Report Concerns Promptly
If you notice suspicious activity, property damage, safety hazards, or maintenance issues, please report them to the appropriate authorities or your Property Management team. Addressing concerns early helps us maintain a safe environment for all residents.
We’re All Part of Community Safety
Creating a safe and welcoming neighborhood is a shared responsibility. By staying aware, looking out for one another, and following community guidelines, we can continue building communities where everyone feels comfortable and secure.
Thank you for doing your part to help keep our communities safe and sound!
Community Connect
Building Financial Confidence with Prosperity Connection
Did you know that County Housing partners with organizations throughout the region to connect residents with valuable resources and opportunities? This month, we’re spotlighting Prosperity Connection, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve greater financial well-being.
Prosperity Connection provides free financial education, credit-building support, and one-on-one financial coaching to residents throughout the St. Louis region. Their programs are designed to help participants build confidence, strengthen money management skills, and work toward personal financial goals.
Whether you’re looking to:
- Create a budget and build savings
- Improve your credit score
- Reduce debt
- Prepare to purchase a vehicle or home
- Learn more about personal finance
Prosperity Connection offers resources to help you take the next step on your financial journey. Their services include educational classes, credit report reviews, and personalized financial coaching, all at no cost to participants.
Through their work, Prosperity Connection strives to promote economic success by providing free access to financial education and trusted financial resources for individuals and families across our community.
Interested in Learning More?
Contact Prosperity Connection at:
- Phone: (314) 499-9698
County Housing is proud to partner with organizations like Prosperity Connection that help residents build skills, achieve goals, and create a stronger financial future.
Free Early Childhood Education & Family Support
Do you have a child between the ages of 2 and 5? CDI Head Start is now enrolling for the upcoming school year!
Eligible St. Louis County families can enroll at any CDI Head Start location—there are no neighborhood or ZIP code restrictions. Best of all, the program is completely free for income-eligible families.
In addition to preparing children for kindergarten, CDI Head Start offers:
- Free early childhood education
- Nutritious meals, snacks, and diapers
- Health, dental, vision, and mental health screenings
- Support for children with special needs
- Family Advocates who can assist with housing, employment, education, and financial goals
If your family is experiencing a housing transition or you’re missing paperwork, don’t let that keep you from applying. CDI Head Start can fast-track enrollment and help you gather the necessary documents after you get started.
Classes begin August 24, so don’t wait to reserve your child’s spot!
To learn more or begin the enrollment process, use the link below or call or text the CDI Head Start Family Support Line at 314-243-4137.
Maintenance Matters
Help Us Keep Your Home in Great Shape
Your home is important to us, and routine maintenance plays a key role in keeping our communities safe, comfortable, and well-maintained. Residents can help by reporting maintenance concerns promptly and taking a few simple steps to prevent minor issues from becoming major repairs.
Report Issues Early
If you notice a leak, plumbing problem, electrical issue, appliance malfunction, or other maintenance concern, please submit a work order as soon as possible. Reporting issues early allows our Maintenance Team to address problems before they worsen and helps prevent additional damage to your unit.
Keep Air Vents Clear
To help your heating and cooling systems operate efficiently, avoid blocking air vents with furniture, boxes, or other belongings. Good airflow helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and can improve energy efficiency.
Prevent Clogs
Help keep drains flowing properly by avoiding the disposal of grease, food scraps, wipes, paper towels, and other items that can cause blockages. Even products labeled “flushable” can create plumbing issues over time.
Check Smoke Detector Batteries
Smoke detectors are an important part of keeping your household safe. If your smoke detector is chirping or not functioning properly, please submit a maintenance request right away so it can be inspected and serviced.
Help Us Help You
Our Maintenance Team is committed to providing quality service and responding to maintenance requests as efficiently as possible. When submitting a work order, please provide as much detail as possible about the issue, including when it started and any relevant information that may help our team diagnose the problem.
By working together and addressing concerns early, we can help ensure that our communities remain safe, comfortable, and well-maintained for everyone.
Thank you for doing your part to keep County Housing communities looking and functioning at their best!
When to Call Maintenance:
- Call immediately for emergencies like major leaks, no water, or electrical issues
- Submit a work order for routine repairs like slow drains or minor fixes
Reporting issues early helps us fix problems faster and keeps your home safe and comfortable. Thank you for doing your part!
We’re Here to Help
Our maintenance staff works hard to keep our communities in great shape, and your cooperation makes a big difference. By reporting concerns early and following these tips, you help us serve you better and keep your home in top condition.
NEED HELP?
Call our main number, (314) 428-3200, and follow the prompts to the public housing department, or email us at phmsr@countyhousing.org.
You can also fill out and submit the maintenance request form below.
Maintenance Request Form
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Emergency maintenance service is available each weekday after 5 pm and all day on weekends and holidays.
Call (314) 492-3811
To submit a work order or to report a routine repair, please reach out to your property management office.
- Arbor Hill, Villa Lago, Fee Fee Manor – 314-788-6458
- Highview, Pagedale, Hillsdale, Olivette – 314-912-7958
Updates & Announcements
Board Meetings – You’re Invited!
All Board of Commissioners meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend. These meetings are a great opportunity to hear directly from our commissioners and leadership team about important updates, upcoming projects, and decisions that impact our communities. Your voice matters, and we’d love to see you there!
County Board Meeting Schedule – Meetings begin at noon
County Housing Headquarters
8865 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121
- September 8, 2026
- November 10, 2026
Hillsdale Board Meeting Schedule – Meetings begin at 12:30 p.m.
County Housing Headquarters
8865 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121
- September 22, 2026
- November 17, 2026
Olivette Board Meeting Schedule – Meetings begin at noon
Olivette City Hall
1140 Dielman Rd., Olivette, MO 63132
- August 25, 2026
- October 27, 2026
Pagedale Board Meeting Schedule – Meetings begin at noon
Pagedale City Hall
1420 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133
- October 13, 2026
- December 8, 2026
County Housing 2026 Holiday Schedule
- Labor Day – Monday, September 17, 2026
- Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 27, 2026
County Housing will be closed from Friday, December 25, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027, and reopen on Monday, January 4, 2027.
