St. Louis has one of the most complex homeless services landscapes in the Midwest — not because the city is especially large, but because of a governance quirk that shapes everything about how services work here: St. Louis City and St. Louis County are entirely separate jurisdictions. St. Louis is an independent city, not part of any county. This means two separate welfare systems, two separate TANF programs, two separate housing authorities, and two different coordinated entry pathways — for an area most people think of as one place.
Approximately 1,500 people experience homelessness on any given night across the St. Louis metro. The city side has a dense cluster of emergency services downtown and in the Midtown corridor. The county side is more dispersed, with services spread across municipalities like Clayton, Florissant, and Ferguson. If you’re in East St. Louis — across the river in Illinois — different programs apply entirely.
This page covers the St. Louis City and St. Louis County metro. For statewide Missouri programs, see our Missouri hotel vouchers for homeless page.
Need a hotel voucher in St. Louis tonight? Call 211 — available 24 hours in both the city and county. In the city, also call Peter & Paul Community Services at 314-421-4447. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
St. Louis City vs. St. Louis County — Why It Matters
| St. Louis City | St. Louis County | |
|---|---|---|
| Government contact | St. Louis City DSS: 314-622-4983 | St. Louis County DSS: 314-615-4141 |
| TANF access | Missouri FSD city offices | Missouri FSD county offices |
| Housing Authority | St. Louis Housing Authority: 314-535-6500 | St. Louis County Housing Authority: 314-428-3200 |
| Lead CoC | St. Louis CoC | St. Louis County CoC (separate) |
Key rule: Your physical address — city vs. county — determines which DSS office handles your case, which housing authority waitlist you apply to, and which CoC coordinated entry system processes your placement. Always tell 211 whether you are in the city or county.
St. Louis City — Emergency Hotel Voucher Resources
Peter & Paul Community Services — Start Here (City)
Peter & Paul is the anchor organization for street-level homeless services in St. Louis City, operating the most comprehensive day center and coordinating emergency placements across the city system.
- Phone: 314-421-4447
- Address: 1929 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
- Website: peterandpaulstl.org
- Services: Day center, showers, meals, mail, emergency housing referrals, motel voucher coordination
- Hours: Weekdays; call for current schedule
Salvation Army of St. Louis
Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 314-646-3000
- Address: 3740 Marine Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
St. Patrick Center
Comprehensive homeless services including rapid rehousing, motel vouchers, and employment support.
- Phone: 314-802-0700
- Address: 800 N Tucker Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63101
- Website: stpatrickcenter.org
- Who they serve: Adults and families; strong case management and housing programs
Catholic Charities of St. Louis
Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone regardless of faith.
- Phone: 314-231-3310
- Website: ccstl.org
St. Louis City Division of Human Services
City-administered emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 314-622-4983
- Website: stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/human-services
Missouri FSD — St. Louis City
TANF emergency housing funds for eligible families.
- Phone: 855-373-4636
- Website: dss.mo.gov/fsd
St. Louis County — Emergency Hotel Voucher Resources
Salvation Army — St. Louis County
Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 636-230-0670 (Northwest County)
- Phone: 314-845-3986 (South County)
Places for People
Mental health-integrated housing services for St. Louis County residents experiencing homelessness with behavioral health needs.
- Phone: 314-802-0900
- Website: placesforpeople.org
St. Louis County Division of Human Services
County emergency housing assistance and TANF coordination.
- Phone: 314-615-4141
- Website: stlouisco.com/humanservices
Better Family Life
Community-based emergency assistance for St. Louis County residents.
- Phone: 314-381-2044
- Website: betterfamilylife.org
Programs for Specific Populations
Families With Children
Kingdom House — family emergency shelter and services in St. Louis City
- Phone: 314-621-8239
- Website: kingdomhouse.org
Doorways — YWCA St. Louis Metropolitan — DV survivors and families
- Crisis line: 314-531-2003 (24 hours)
- Website: doorwaysmo.org
Missouri TANF through FSD (855-373-4636) can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for eligible families — call and ask specifically about emergency housing authorization. Missouri expanded Medicaid in 2021, so most family members now qualify for MO HealthNet even without TANF.
Veterans
St. Louis VA Medical Center — Homeless Programs
- Phone: 314-652-4100 → ask for Homeless Veterans Programs
- Address: 915 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63106
Veterans Community Project (VCP) — St. Louis A nationally recognized veteran homeless organization that began in Kansas City and expanded to St. Louis — operates tiny home villages and emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 314-220-5482
- Website: veteranscommunityproject.org
Veterans call 877-424-3838 to connect directly to VA homeless resources.
People With Mental Illness
St. Louis has a notably strong behavioral health-integrated homeless services system. Several organizations specifically serve people whose homelessness is connected to mental illness or substance use:
Places for People (county): 314-802-0900 — mental health housing integration Behavioral Health Response (crisis line): 314-469-6644 — 24 hours Provident Behavioral Health: 314-371-6500
Youth (Ages 18–24)
Youth In Need
- Phone: 636-946-5600
- Website: youthinneed.org
- Serves youth in both city and county
Peter & Paul runs youth-specific programming alongside its adult services — ask specifically about youth housing when you call 314-421-4447.
St. Louis CoC Coordinated Entry — How to Access It
St. Louis City and St. Louis County operate separate Continuum of Care systems — a reflection of their separate government structures. Both are accessed through 211, but your city vs. county address determines which CoC processes your placement.
City CoC: Access through 211 or Peter & Paul (314-421-4447). St. Patrick Center (314-802-0700) is also a coordinated entry access point for the city.
County CoC: Access through 211 or St. Louis County Human Services (314-615-4141).
Getting into your CoC’s coordinated entry system — even before housing is immediately available — is how you stay connected to resources as they open. The vulnerability assessment done at coordinated entry determines your priority for all housing placements, not just immediate shelter.
East St. Louis (Illinois) — Important Note
If you are in East St. Louis, which is across the Mississippi River in Illinois, Missouri programs do not apply. East St. Louis is in St. Clair County, Illinois. Call 211 for Illinois-side resources, or contact:
St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department: 618-277-6790 Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House: 618-874-3360 — primary East St. Louis homeless services organization
What to Do Once You Have a Placement
Apply for Missouri SNAP at mydss.mo.gov or call 855-373-4636. Zero income qualifies you for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) at the same portal. Missouri expanded Medicaid in 2021 — most low-income adults now qualify regardless of whether they have children.
Enter your CoC’s coordinated entry system on Day 1 — city residents through Peter & Paul or 211, county residents through St. Louis County Human Services or 211. This is your pathway to rapid rehousing and rental assistance programs.
Apply for Section 8. St. Louis Housing Authority (city): 314-535-6500. St. Louis County Housing Authority: 314-428-3200. Both have long waitlists — also explore other housing voucher programs available in the metro. Understanding how the Section 8 voucher process works from application to placement prevents the common mistakes that get people removed from waitlists they waited years to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in St. Louis?
Call 211 first — available 24 hours in both the city and county. In St. Louis City, also call Peter & Paul Community Services at 314-421-4447 and St. Patrick Center at 314-802-0700, which coordinate motel vouchers and rapid rehousing. The Salvation Army at 314-646-3000 also maintains emergency housing funds. Tell the operator whether you are in the city or county — this changes your referral pathway significantly.
Why does it matter if I’m in St. Louis City vs. St. Louis County?
St. Louis City is an independent city not part of any county — it has its own DSS office, housing authority, CoC, and government programs entirely separate from St. Louis County. If you apply for county programs while living in the city, or vice versa, you’ll be in the wrong system. Always clarify your location when calling 211 or any emergency service.
What is Peter & Paul Community Services?
Peter & Paul Community Services at 314-421-4447 is the anchor organization for street-level homeless services in St. Louis City. Their day center provides showers, meals, mail, and emergency referrals, and their staff know which organizations have motel voucher funds available today. It’s the most efficient first stop in St. Louis City’s homeless services system.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in St. Louis?
Yes. Call Missouri FSD at 855-373-4636 and ask specifically about TANF emergency hotel authorization for families with children. Kingdom House at 314-621-8239 serves families in St. Louis City, and the Salvation Army serves families across both city and county. DV survivors should call Doorways at 314-531-2003 (24 hours).
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in St. Louis?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. The St. Louis VA Medical Center at 314-652-4100 has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF rapid rehousing. Veterans Community Project at 314-220-5482 provides additional veteran-specific emergency housing assistance including a tiny home village model.
What about homeless people with mental illness in St. Louis?
St. Louis has a notably strong behavioral health-integrated homeless services system. Places for People at 314-802-0900 specifically serves people whose homelessness intersects with mental health needs. Behavioral Health Response operates a 24-hour crisis line at 314-469-6644. Tell 211 specifically that you have a mental health condition — this routes you to integrated services rather than general shelter.
I’m in East St. Louis — do I use Missouri programs?
No. East St. Louis is in Illinois (St. Clair County) and uses Illinois programs. Call 211 for Illinois-side resources. Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House at 618-874-3360 is the primary emergency services organization in East St. Louis. St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants at 618-277-6790 administers county emergency housing funds.
How long do hotel vouchers last in St. Louis?
Most St. Louis motel placements last 1–7 nights for general emergency placements, with possible extensions through coordinated entry programs. St. Patrick Center and Peter & Paul both coordinate longer-term placements for people actively working through coordinated entry. Enter the system on Day 1 and simultaneously apply for SNAP and MO HealthNet — the sooner you have stable benefits, the faster longer-term housing options open.