August 2026 Housing Choice Voucher Program Resident Newsletter
Table of Contents:
CEO Message – Listening and Leading
Feature Story – Understanding Your Annual Recertification
Safe & Sound – Keeping Our Communities Safe Together
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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 Annual Recertification
Your annual recertification helps ensure you continue receiving the housing assistance you qualify for. While it may seem like a lot of paperwork, completing your recertification on time is one of the most important responsibilities of participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
During your annual recertification, County Housing reviews your household’s information to determine your continued eligibility and ensure your rental assistance is calculated accurately. You may be asked to provide documentation related to:
- Household members
- Income from all sources
- Employment
- Assets
- Student status (if applicable)
- Childcare expenses (if applicable)
- Medical and disability-related expenses for eligible households
- Any other changes that may affect your eligibility or rental assistance
To help keep the process moving smoothly, be sure to respond promptly to requests for information and submit all required documentation by the deadlines provided. Missing deadlines or failing to provide requested information could result in delays or even the termination of your housing assistance.
Know the Rules: Understanding Your Housing Choice Voucher Benefits
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administrative Plan is your guide to understanding how the program works. It outlines important information about annual recertifications, income calculations, required documentation, participant responsibilities, and other program policies. Becoming familiar with the Administrative Plan can help you better understand the recertification process and what is expected throughout your participation in the program.
You can access the Administrative Plan anytime on this website.
If you’re looking for information about your annual recertification, these chapters are especially helpful:
Chapter 6 – Income Determination (begins on page 101): Explains how County Housing reviews household income to determine program eligibility and calculate your portion of the rent.
Chapter 7 – Verifications (begins on page 175): Describes the documentation and third-party verifications required during your annual recertification.
Understanding these guidelines can help make your recertification process smoother and ensure your assistance continues without unnecessary delays.
Thank you for doing your part to keep your information accurate and up to date. By submitting complete and timely recertification documents, you help us process your certification more efficiently and keep your housing assistance on track.
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 landlord 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. Addressing concerns early helps 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.
Updates & Announcements
🔍 Find Your Housing Program Specialist
We would like to remind you about our new Look-up Tool for residents! This tool allows you to easily find your assigned Housing Program Specialist and access their contact information, so you can get the support and guidance you need quickly.
We appreciate the incredible work of all our Housing Program Specialists and look forward to continuing to support our residents together.
HAP Payment Schedule
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) schedule outlines when payments are issued to landlords each month. We encourage landlords and participants to review the schedule to better plan for upcoming payments and avoid confusion. The most up-to-date HAP payment schedule is available on our website.
The County Housing office is open and available to serve you! Our lobby is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We recommend scheduling an appointment in advance if you wish to meet with your Housing Program Specialist to ensure they are available to assist you.
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.
