According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities updated in January 2022, 134,600 people in Missouri cities and suburbs, and 42,900 people in its rural areas and small towns, received federal rental assistance help. These numbers do not take into account the emergency Federal financial support for renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
State and local agencies and organizations work to help keep renters in their homes while protecting landlords’ interests, too. Rental assistance in Missouri is available through several different channels. Knowing how it works and where to look are the first steps in getting relief.
Tenants who have trouble paying their rent do not fit any particular mold. We are talking about true need—not just someone who has overextended themselves and is living beyond their means. Those seeking help might be veterans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, or low-income families. In the numbers above, 33% receiving assistance are working adults.
Rental assistance often has a mechanism in place to pay the landlord directly. This is particularly true of government assistance programs. If money is paid to the tenant, there is usually some type of stipulation that the funds be used only for rent. Programs may be for one time or for ongoing financial help and may cover past-due or current rent, and in some cases might pay security deposits.
Although most assistance applications are initiated by the renter, a landlord may be able to apply on their tenant’s behalf. Each program has different rules and procedures.
Depending on which programs they are considering, the tenant and landlord both need to know their rights and responsibilities.
When it becomes difficult to keep up with rent, various forms of rental assistance are available at the federal, state, and local levels. A good place to start looking for help is through local channels. Nearby agencies and organizations not only help people in the immediate area, but they are sometimes a great resource for more widespread contact information.
A great example of this in Missouri is the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. (CAASTLC). This agency lists programs and support services for all kinds of community outreach including rental assistance. And while the programs they run are for county residents, their website also includes resources for numerous federal and state-wide agencies as well as non-profit organizations that can help.
The CAASTLC is just one example of community outreach that seeks to connect local residents with much-needed services. Similar organizations can be found in counties and municipalities across Missouri.
Another good starting point is
RentalAssistance.us. The website has a nationwide database of assistance resources. Renters and landlords can search by county or zip code for federal and local government programs as well as non-profit and faith-based assistance.
No matter where a renter lives, there is usually some type of government assistance available, provided they meet certain criteria. An application process assesses need based on factors such as income or disability. Start with the city, county, or regional housing authority.
The Missouri Housing Development Commission is an organization that helps with the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. This fund awards grants to various organizations that in turn provide housing assistance to individuals.
There is also a rental assistance program available to individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness through the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides help with government-owned public housing, privately-owned subsidized housing, and the Housing Choice Voucher program known as Section 8. Section 8 housing vouchers are available to low-income individuals and families.
Landlords must follow certain rules when they agree to participate in the Section 8 program. They must agree to maintain the property in a safe and sanitary condition, and charge a reasonable amount for rent. They are allowed to conduct background checks as they would with any other candidates. The tenant pays a portion of the rent and the voucher covers the rest. This gives the property owner guaranteed rent revenue; however, they can not
raise rent without HUD approval.
At the time of writing this article, rental assistance is still available for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the federal level, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) can help. Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR) Program is a resource for Missouri renters.
Until these funds run out, The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s website is the place to visit for information.
For renters and landlords who are struggling because of the pandemic, these sources can be extremely helpful in filling the gap until renters’ situations stabilize.
While government resources for rent assistance have a rigorous application process and often a waiting period, immediate help can sometimes be found through non-profit and charity routes. Organizations like the CAASTLC have a catalog of such groups. Renters can also check with their local churches and civic organizations to find help that might be available.
Because these organizations typically work with donations, the amount of funds available is limited. They will often give aid on a first-come-first-served basis, and prioritize individuals and families based on their particular situations and level of need. Many do not require any affiliation with their group, although some might.
Although funds may not always be available from these organizations, they are still great community resources. They are often very knowledgeable about the options available for people in need from other non-profits or government agencies. Some may even assist in the application process for government aid, or other helpful services like food pantries, child care, or transportation.
Just a few of the organizations to consider in Missouri are: Catholic Charities of St. Louis, Emergency Assistance Ministry, Jewish Services of St. Louis, The Salvation Army, and Urban League of Metro St. Louis.
Most people do not expect to need help with basic costs like paying rent. Having to look for help after a job loss, illness, or other life event is a source of stress, worry, and even embarrassment.
The best thing for a renter to do is to have an honest conversation with their landlord at the first sign of trouble. If the owner or management company knows that the tenant is struggling, they are more likely to be understanding. A leasing and management company that handles a large apartment complex or multiple buildings will often have resources for the tenant to contact.
It is important for tenants to remember that a landlord would rather not have to send warnings or start eviction proceedings. The process of finding new renters is a lot of work, and building owners are running a business. They need rent revenue to pay the mortgage on the building and fund repairs, maintenance, and other amenities. Getting rent assistance when needed benefits both parties by keeping people in their homes and getting landlords the money they are owed. Likewise, landlords need to be aware of the resources available to tenants with hardships so they can steer them toward the help they need.
In Missouri, where there is a need, there is rental assistance available. You just need to know where to look.
12851 Manchester Rd., Ste 110
St. Louis, MO, 63131
