October 7, 2025

Resident Connection

October 2025 Public Housing Resident Newsletter

CEO Message

Listening and Leading

Dear Residents,

As we move into the fall season, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and ideas with us throughout the year. Your voices are at the heart of everything we do at County Housing, and listening to you helps us lead in ways that truly meet the needs of our community.

This month, we are especially focused on ensuring safe and comfortable homes for everyone. Your feedback on maintenance, community spaces, and resident services guides our decisions and helps us prioritize improvements that make a real difference in your daily lives.

I encourage you to continue speaking up, whether attending a resident meeting, sharing your ideas with our staff, or participating in surveys. Your input shapes the future of our communities and ensures that County Housing is a place where everyone feels valued and heard.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping us build stronger, safer, and more connected neighborhoods. Together, we’re making County Housing a place you’re proud to call home.

Warmly,

Shannon Koenig
Executive Director & CEO
County Housing

Feature Story

Meet your Maintenance Team

Keeping Your Home Safe, Comfortable, and Well-Cared For

At County Housing, our maintenance team is essential to the day-to-day comfort and safety of our communities. Whether responding to routine repairs or handling emergencies, these dedicated professionals are the ones making sure your home stays in good working order.

Who They Are
Our maintenance team includes skilled technicians who serve across all County Housing properties. You may recognize them by their uniforms and County Housing vehicles—ready to assist with everything from plumbing and electrical work to HVAC, painting, and preventative upkeep.

What They Do

Respond to work orders and repair requests
Address emergency maintenance issues 24/7
Ensure units are ready for move-in
Support property inspections and safety compliance
Perform regular upkeep to maintain high-quality housing

What You Can Expect
When you submit a maintenance request, our team works hard to respond quickly, professionally, and with respect for your home. We prioritize health and safety concerns and do our best to communicate clearly about next steps and timelines for repairs.

Working Together
You play an important role, too! Reporting issues as soon as they arise helps us address them before they become bigger problems. Together, we can keep your home—and our communities—running smoothly.

Need to Make a Request?
Maintenance requests can be made by calling 314-428-3200. For after-hours emergencies, call 314-492-3811. We’re here to help!

Meet the Maintenance Staff:

Rodney Gillespie, Maintenance Supervisor
Darryl Thomas, Maintenance Supervisor

Raol Pitts, Maintenance Technician
Daniel Lane, Maintenance Technician
Jarrad Austin, Maintenance Technician

Safe & Sound

October Safety Tips

Trick-or-Treat Smart
Make Halloween fun and safe! Walk on sidewalks, wear reflective clothing, and check candy before eating. Children should go trick-or-treating in groups or with an adult.

Fall Weather Preparedness
Fallen leaves and morning frost can make walkways slippery. Keep paths clear, wear proper footwear, and immediately report any outdoor hazards to maintenance.

Stay Secure
Lock your doors and windows, especially as daylight hours shorten. Be cautious with strangers at your door—even if they claim to be delivery personnel or contractors.

Know Who to Call
Keep a list of emergency contacts handy. If you have maintenance emergencies, fires, or safety concerns, contact the office immediately to get the help you need.

🧯 October Fire Safety Tip: Prepare for Cooler Weather

As temperatures drop, it’s important to be mindful of fire safety in your home. Heating equipment, candles, and electrical decorations can all pose risks if not used properly.

Tips to stay safe this fall:

Never leave candles unattended and keep them away from flammable items. Consider using flameless candles for added safety.
Inspect cords and plugs on all electrical devices and decorations. Replace any that are frayed or damaged.
Make sure smoke detectors are working and test them monthly. Replace batteries at least once a year.

By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent fires and keep your home safe as the seasons change.

Community Connect

Find Food Distribution Events Near You

County Housing is proud to connect residents with resources that help support families. The St. Louis Area Foodbank hosts mobile markets and food distribution events throughout the community to ensure everyone has access to fresh, healthy food.

You can browse the Foodbank’s calendar of events to find a distribution event that works with your schedule. You can also subscribe to be alerted when new events are added, so you’ll always stay updated on opportunities near you.

Important Information

RECA Notification

We want to ensure our residents know of a recent notification related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This federal program provides compensation to individuals who may have been exposed to radiation from nuclear weapons testing or uranium mining.

Some of the ZIP codes impacted by RECA include areas where our residents live. If you’d like to learn more about RECA and see if you may be eligible for benefits, you can visit St. Louis County’s RECA resource page here: RECA – Saint Louis County – St. Louis County Website.

We encourage any residents who think they may be impacted to review the information provided at the link above.

Maintenance Matters

Update on HUD’s New Inspection Standards (NSPIRE)

HUD’s new voucher inspection standards, called NSPIRE, went into effect for County Housing on October 1, 2025. These updated inspection requirements are designed to improve rental unit safety and quality.

Helpful tips to keep your unit in compliance:

Do not block exit doors, including rear doors, in case of an emergency.
Use a shower liner in the tub to keep the bathroom floor dry. Leave the bathroom door open or cracked while showering to help ventilate steam. Keep the fan on during showers to prevent mold.
Keep your unit clean and tidy to help prevent infestations. If you do experience an infestation, please contact us immediately.

Following these simple steps will help keep your home safe, clean, and comfortable.

We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to NSPIRE. We will keep you updated with any new information released by HUD so you’ll know exactly what to expect during inspections.

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!

Hillsdale Board Meeting Schedule
County Housing Headquarters
8865 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121

November 4, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.

Pagedale Board Meeting Schedule
Pagedale City Hall
1420 Ferguson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133

October 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
December 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

Olivette Board Meeting Schedule
Olivette City Hall
1140 Dielman Rd., Olivette, MO 63132

October 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

County Board Meeting Schedule
County Housing Headquarters
8865 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121

November 18, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

Resident Advisory Board – Get Involved!
We’re looking for residents who want to help shape the future of County Housing. If you’re interested in joining the Resident Advisory Board, email us at engagement@countyhousing.org or call your property office.

County Housing 2025 Holiday Office Closures

Please be aware that County Housing will be closed on the following holidays in 2025:

Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27
Day After Thanksgiving – Friday, November 28

Additionally, County Housing will be closed for the holiday season from Thursday, December 25, 2025, Thursday, January 1, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Please plan accordingly, and we hope you enjoy your holidays!