Affordability is relative.
Home is universal.

We all need affordable housing.

Since 1952, the Housing Authority of St. Louis County, now simply referred to as County Housing, has been the official government housing authority in St. Louis County that operates with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Our mission is to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing; ensure equal housing opportunity; promote self-sufficiency; and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of low- and moderate-income families.

Today, County Housing owns and/or manages more than 1,400 housing units and serves more than 7,000 families and 18,000-plus total household members in communities throughout St. Louis County. County Housing also manages the individual housing authorities of Hillsdale, Olivette, and Pagedale.

We work to create solutions that increase the availability of affordable homes and make affordable housing work better for individuals and families, landlords, developers, and the communities we serve.

Improving the Economic Mobility of Individuals and Families

We believe that affordable housing should be more than shelter—it should serve as a doorway to a better life.

In addition to providing housing itself, County Housing works to help increase the stability and economic mobility of residents. We work with providers of holistic supportive services designed to help individuals and families achieve greater well-being, self-sufficiency, and economic success.

Making Communities More Sustainable and Economically Diverse

When people become priced out of opportunity or home itself, we all suffer. There’s a housing crisis in America today, and St. Louis County is not immune.

Affordable housing ensures there is a safe home for children, elderly and disabled adults, employees of local businesses, and other members of our community. We believe that, when executed and managed properly, affordable housing is an asset that makes all communities stronger.

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Our history

During the years following World War II, America experienced a dramatic growth in suburban communities, and the St. Louis region was no exception. Between 1940 and 1950, St. Louis County’s population grew by 48%, from just over 274,000 to just over 406,000.

This sudden growth created a shortage in affordable housing as St. Louis County was quickly transforming from a primarily rural county into a county consisting of new and growing suburban communities.

The Housing Authority of St. Louis County, now simply known as County Housing, was founded in 1952 to serve the growing need for affordable housing in the suburbs of St. Louis.

As St. Louis County experienced further growth and changes in housing stock, the organization worked to increase the availability of affordable homes by building and acquiring housing throughout the county as well as providing management services to other housing authorities.

Today, the need for affordable housing in St. Louis County is greater than ever. Nearly one-third of County Housing residents make between only $10,001 and $15,000 a year, and 22% have no income—while the cost of housing has risen substantially. With a population of nearly 1 million residents in St. Louis County, we are more committed than ever to increasing the availability of affordable homes and making affordable housing work better for the people, partners, and communities we serve.

Our values

Service

We provide a vital service to residents and families, and we are dedicated advocates for their health and well-being. The quality of our operations is the expression of our commitment to our residents and our community. We work hard to serve our residents and families in a responsive, reliable, empathetic, and caring manner.

Respect

We are supportive, compassionate, and courteous to our residents, property owners, community partners and teammates, and we treat them as valued partners in our service mission.

Integrity

In all circumstances, we do the right thing. We follow relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Our ethical, honest, and transparent actions are the foundation upon which we build trust with our residents, teammates, and community.

Excellence

In our diligent pursuit of excellence, we are not satisfied with anything short of the highest standards of service, respect, and integrity. We think critically about our work, embrace innovation, and challenge the status quo. We are proactive in the performance of our duties and accept accountability for our work. We celebrate our successes and grow from our lessons learned.

Collaboration

We nurture a work environment in which all team members have a voice. We act with transparency, help each other, and share information freely. We work together – teammates, residents, and communities – to build inclusive relationships and partnerships that enable us to fulfill our service mission.

Affordability is relative. Home is universal.