St. Louis Housing Authority

What St. Louis Housing Authority does

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is a federally funded public housing authority operating in St. Louis, Missouri under the authority of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Established in 1940 and serving the city for more than 80 years, SLHA administers two principal housing programs: Public Housing across 48 SLHA-owned developments (38 family, 5 mixed-population, and 5 senior properties housing approximately 2,790 individuals and families), and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) program, which administers 7,000 vouchers subsidizing rent in privately-owned units. The agency serves over 20,000 residents, focused on low-income families, seniors aged 50 or 62+, persons with disabilities, and at-risk populations including homeless veterans served via HUD-VASH. Resident intake is waitlist-based, with the Public Housing and HCV waiting lists currently closed and only the Elderly-Only list open year-round.

SLHA's technology platform is centered on the RentCafé self-service portal, which supports online applications, waitlist status checks, work order requests, and account management; the agency moved to 100% digital operations in 2025 and transitioned all payments to residents, landlords, and vendors from paper checks to U.S. Bank ReliaCard prepaid debit cards, with online rent collection launching in July 2025. The agency is converting its public housing subsidies from Section 9 to Project-Based Voucher (Section 8) under HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). Wraparound resident services include Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Bridge to Homeownership, Circle of Friends (a senior isolation-reduction program operated in partnership with Saint Louis University and CHIPS), ROSS Service Coordinator support, and Elderly & Disabled Services. Resident governance runs through Tenant Association Boards (TABs) at each site and a City-Wide Tenant Affairs Board whose representatives sit on SLHA's seven-member Board of Commissioners.

SLHA's revenue model is anchored by HUD annual operating subsidies, supplemented by tenant rent contributions set at 30% of adjusted gross income and developer fees from major co-development projects. With an $85 million annual operating budget, more than 100 staff across operations, finance, real estate development, legal, IT, HR, and resident engagement, and active redevelopment pipelines including the $35 million Clinton-Peabody transformation (in partnership with Preservation of Affordable Housing) and the $54 million Parkview Elderly renovation, SLHA operates as a government entity under Executive Director Latasha Barnes rather than a market-priced service. GTM motion is direct-to-consumer via the RentCafé portal and community-based referrals, with no paid advertising; partner outreach to landlords and developers runs through briefings and HUD-aligned processes.

Name

St. Louis Housing Authority

Legal name

St. Louis Housing Authority

Website

https://slha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is a federally funded public housing authority serving over 20,000 low-income St. Louis residents via Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs, with an $85 million operating budget, 48 owned developments, and 7,000 administered housing vouchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable housing
• Rental assistance
• Section 8 program

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Funding: SLHA is a federally funded public housing authority. The majority of its operating revenue comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides annual operating subsidies for Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. The agency also receives competitive grant awards from HUD and other federal and state agencies for redevelopment, modernization, and special initiatives.
2. Tenant Rent Payments: Residents pay 30% of their adjusted gross income toward rent under both Public Housing and HCV programs. This income-based rent contribution is a consistent revenue stream tied to the number of households served.
3. Developer Fees and Partnership Revenue: SLHA earns fees and leverages financing as a co-developer in major redevelopment projects such as Clinton-Peabody ($35M effort) and Parkview Elderly ($54M renovation), in partnership with POAH and other entities. Grants and financing from Missouri Housing Development Commission, City of St. Louis CDA, and other public agencies support these projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Louis Housing Authority operates two core federally-funded housing programs: Public Housing at SLHA-owned properties and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program for privately-owned units. It administers 7,000 housing vouchers and manages 48 public housing developments serving approximately 2,790 households directly. SLHA also delivers resident support programs including Family Self-Sufficiency, Bridge to Homeownership, Circle of Friends senior services, ROSS Service Coordination, and Elderly & Disabled Services, plus the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion program.

Product overview

St. Louis Housing Authority operates two core federally-funded housing programs: Public Housing (at SLHA-owned properties) and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) Program (rental assistance for privately-owned units). These programs are administered through the RentCafé digital portal and supported by the U.S. Bank ReliaCard for paperless payments. SLHA provides a continuum of resident support programs including Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Bridge to Homeownership, Circle of Friends, Elderly & Disabled Services, ROSS Service Coordination, and the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion program. Resident governance is facilitated through Tenant Association Boards (TABs) and the City-Wide Tenant Affairs Board. Major redevelopment initiatives include the Clinton-Peabody transformation. The organization also operates the Al Chappelle Community Center and Office of Ombudsman for resident services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circle of Friends: A program focused on reducing social isolation among seniors, implemented in partnership with Saint Louis University and CHIPS.
• Bridge to Homeownership
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Federally funded housing assistance at SLHA-owned properties located throughout St. Louis, providing safe, stable rental opportunities in a variety of housing sizes and types for low-income individuals, families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Currently serves approximately 2,790 households.
• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program / Section 8 Rental assistance program that provides vouchers to qualifying participants to facilitate rental of privately-owned units in the private rental market. SLHA pays a portion of eligible families' rent each month directly to the property owner.
• RentCafé Portal Self-service digital portal allowing Public Housing and HCV/Section 8 applicants and residents to apply for housing, check application/waitlist status, submit work order requests, and manage their accounts securely online.
• U.S. Bank ReliaCard Paperless Payments Prepaid debit card service for electronic payment delivery to residents, landlords, and vendors, replacing traditional paper checks for housing assistance disbursements.
• Bridge to Homeownership Program Initiative that allows Housing Choice Voucher participants to apply their voucher assistance toward a mortgage payment, helping eligible participants—including elderly and disabled families—transition from renting to homeownership.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program established to promote self-sufficiency among families receiving Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing assistance, featuring an escrow savings account and support services including homeownership counseling, financial literacy, education, job training, and mental health counseling.
• Circle of Friends (COF) Senior isolation reduction program operating seven weekly groups (mostly via Zoom or in-person) focused on health, society, and social activities, jointly operated with Saint Louis University and CHIPS.
• Elderly & Disabled Services Program Program providing access to services for elderly and disabled residents living in public housing, enhancing quality of life and assisting residents to continue living independently through needs assessment, counseling, and case management.
• ROSS Service Coordinator Program Federally subsidized program helping public housing residents meet immediate needs. Service Coordinators assist with utility assistance, prescription assistance, food access, mental health and grief counseling, employment services, HiSet/GED, and other resources.
• Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) HUD program converting housing assistance subsidy from the public housing (Section 9) platform to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV Section 8) platform, attaching vouchers to units rather than individuals through Project-Based Voucher conversions.
• Office of Ombudsman Office assisting with resolving issues related to Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, ensuring concerns are handled with fairness, patience, courtesy, dignity, and respect for residents, tenants, and landlords.
• Tenant Association Board (TAB) and City-Wide Tenant Affairs Board Structured resident governance system uniting public housing residents with SLHA in planning and decision-making, including site-specific TABs, a City-Wide TAB, and resident-elected representatives serving on the Board of Commissioners.
• Al Chappelle Community Center Recreational center providing physical space for education, personal, and recreational activities for SLHA residents, including multiple meeting rooms, classrooms for computer training and education, and a multi-purpose room.
• Online Rent Payments Digital platform service allowing public housing residents to make secure online rent payments anytime, anywhere, replacing in-person payment processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 St. Louis residents served with income-based housing assistance across Public Housing and HCV programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOAH serves as the master developer for the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, a landmark $35M transformation of one of St. Louis' most historic public housing communities. POAH is working alongside SLHA, residents, and dozens of public and private partners to create new affordable homes, modern amenities, and preserve long-term affordability.
• BJC HealthCaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBJC HealthCare is a philanthropic and community partner in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, contributing to the broad public-private partnership supporting the project's social and health-related community outcomes.
• Saint Louis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaint Louis University is an academic partner in the Circle of Friends (COF) senior isolation reduction program, operating seven weekly groups for senior public housing residents. SLHA is the first U.S. housing authority to implement the COF model, originally developed in Europe.
• CHIPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHIPS is a nonprofit partner in the Circle of Friends program alongside Saint Louis University and SLHA, providing social support services to senior public housing residents.
• Leopardo ConstructionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm partner for the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment project, serving as one of the primary contractors for the $35M transformation effort.
• Roanoke ConstructionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm partner for the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment project.
• United Way 2-1-1majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way 2-1-1 provides a 24/7 connection to a comprehensive database of agencies and thousands of resources in Missouri and Illinois. SLHA's ROSS Service Coordinators connect residents to United Way services.
• Family Resources and Community ConnectionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing empowerment programs and addressing social needs through education, prevention, and awareness for children, families, and underserved communities in St. Louis.
• Youth and Family CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization reaching thousands of people of all ages across St. Louis with programs that educate, advocate, build skills, and provide support for youth, families, and seniors.
• Northside Youth and Senior Service CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack-led nonprofit community center providing after-school and summer programs for youth, food, transportation, health programs, and socialization opportunities for seniors.
• U.S. Bank ReliaCardcoreTechnology or IntegrationU.S. Bank ReliaCard is a prepaid Visa debit card used by SLHA to disburse paperless payments to residents, landlords, and vendors, replacing traditional paper checks. This electronic payment platform enables faster, safer, and more convenient fund access.
• Ameren MissourisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility provider partner in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, supporting infrastructure improvements for the transformed community.
• Metropolitan Sewer DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal utility partner in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, contributing infrastructure and sewer improvements.
• Nestlé PurinasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate community partner in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, contributing philanthropic support to the broader revitalization effort.
• TriversmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and design firm partner for the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment, providing design services as part of the comprehensive transformation.
• Lamar Johnson CollaborativemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture and design firm partner contributing to the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment design team.
• Heartland Black Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness chamber partner providing support and advocacy for minority-owned business participation in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment.
• Unicorn GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting and development partner in the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment partnership network.
• Key Strategic GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic consulting partner within the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment partnership ecosystem.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Houston Housing Authority (HHA): HHA administers HUD Public Housing and HCV programs serving Houston, with a portfolio of family, senior, and mixed-population developments. Operates under the same federal regulatory framework as SLHA with comparable resident service programs and redevelopment partnerships.
• Detroit Housing Commission: The Detroit Housing Commission administers HUD Public Housing and HCV programs in Detroit, including major redevelopment initiatives and partnerships with nonprofit developers. Comparable to SLHA in serving a post-industrial city with concentrated housing distress and reliance on HUD funding.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): PHA operates HUD-funded Public Housing and Section 8 programs in Philadelphia, with similar resident services, redevelopment projects, and HCV administration. It is a near-identical operating model to SLHA, scaled to a larger city footprint.
• Boston Housing Authority (BHA): BHA operates public housing developments and the Housing Choice Voucher program in Boston. Like SLHA, BHA administers an elderly-designated housing portfolio, runs self-sufficiency and supportive service programs, and manages a portfolio of mixed family and senior developments under federal HUD oversight.
• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): CHA administers HUD-funded Public Housing and HCV programs for the City of Chicago, serving tens of thousands of residents. It shares SLHA's structure of federal funding, mixed portfolio of owned units and tenant-based vouchers, RAD conversions, and redevelopment partnerships with nonprofit affordable housing developers.
• Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA): LACDA administers HUD housing programs including Section 8 vouchers and affordable housing development across Los Angeles County. Comparable to SLHA in administering federal housing assistance, mixed-income developments, and partnerships with nonprofits and developers for major redevelopment projects.
• Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta (AH): Atlanta Housing operates HUD-funded Public Housing and HCV programs with an extensive mixed-income redevelopment model (similar to Choice Neighborhoods/RAD) and partnerships with private and nonprofit developers. Strongly comparable to SLHA in program structure and redevelopment approach.
• Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA): CMHA operates HUD-funded Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs for the City of Cincinnati, with a portfolio of family, mixed-population, and senior developments. Comparable mid-sized peer to SLHA in scale, governance structure, and program mix.
• Housing Authority of the City of Dallas (DHA): DHA operates HUD-funded housing programs in Dallas, including Public Housing, Section 8 vouchers, and a portfolio of mixed-income and senior developments. Directly comparable to SLHA in statutory authority, program mix, and redevelopment approach.

Broad incumbents

• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the United States, operating both Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs under the same HUD federal funding framework as SLHA. It is the most comparable peer in terms of statutory authority, regulatory structure, and program mix, though vastly larger in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stl_housingauth
• Facebookfacebook.com/www.slha.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/392222

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Louis Housing Authority