Facts about Housing in St. Louis you Might not Know

Facts about Housing in St. Louis you Might not Know

Afghan Support Program attempts to assist Afghan families willing to relocate to St. Louis. But how? The International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL) helps find housing for new arrivals. Here we explore the process more deeply.

Basically, there are two main sources for finding houses. IISTL has expanded its network with landlords and property management companies to assist with renting homes for new arrivals.

It is much easier for housing officer to communicate and coordinate with private landlords due to their accessibility. Some require a good credit score, employment, and a lease agreement. Meanwhile, there are other private landlords who do not require income verification, credit checks, or even a formal lease. These landlords simply want monthly rent payments. However, the downside is that tenants can be asked to leave at any time without notice, coordination, or legal protection. Also, tenants leave at any time without formal and advance coordination with landlords.

These companies manage groups of homes or apartments and have more specific and extensive requirements. These typically include a credit check, application and fees (ranging from $50 to $150), a driver’s license and Social Security number, proof of income (usually 2 to 3 times the monthly rent).

If an applicant does not meet one of these criteria, their application may be rejected. Good references are also important. Some companies contact previous landlords to learn more about the applicant.

An application can be denied due to poor behavior with a past landlord or neighbors. Social behavior and community interaction play a key role in whether a housing application is approved or rejected.

Based on experiences at the International Institute of St. Louis, houses with three or four bedrooms are a better match for Afghan families due to their sizes. One-bedroom homes are rarely suitable for our community families except the client is single or any other condition. On-time rent payments are essential, and landlords always expect rent before the due date.

Sometimes, the housing officer is able to waive the application fee, but this requires another eligible person to act as a co-signer. IISTL staff cannot co-sign leases, but the Institute facilitates coordination between landlords and tenants. Lease agreements are typically for six months to one year and may be extended if both landlord and tenant agree.

Housing availability varies—sometimes there are many options, and other times it is difficult to find a suitable home. Without a signed lease, payment, and deposit, it is not possible to secure keys. However, based on the Institute’s strong relationships with landlords, housing officers may be able to obtain keys for showings or share photos of the property in advance with our clients.

Abdul Wahid Noori

Housing Manager

International Institute of St. Louis