Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, probation and parole supervision in Missouri cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Missouri's supervising officers require an approved address before release is authorized. The housing search begins before the gate opens.
Missouri is one of the more developed reentry states in this series. Every Missouri state prison has a dedicated reentry center. The state operates two Transition Centers -- one in St. Louis, one in Kansas City -- that serve as residential probation and parole facilities with four-phase programming. Missouri was the first state in the country to join the national Reentry 2030 initiative. More than 13,000 Missourians are released from state prisons each year, and 53,000 are on probation or parole.
The Housing Landscape in Missouri
Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) operates 11 reentry centers -- one inside every state prison -- where people preparing for release can access housing specialists, employment specialists, identification documents, government benefits, medical services, and community partner resources. Reentry planning uses the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) to tailor programming to each person's risk and needs profile.
Transitional Housing Units (THUs) are in-prison units where eligible people enter approximately six months before their release date to access pre-release services and programming. This step-down within the facility provides structured preparation before the gate opens.
The Transition Center of St. Louis (TCSTL, 1621 N. 1st Street, St. Louis, MO 63102; 314-877-0300) is a Missouri DOC-operated residential facility providing housing and four-phase programming to men under community supervision. The four phases cover employment readiness, education, treatment, life skills, family reunification, parenting, and money management. Each resident is assigned a probation/parole officer and case manager. The facility has two wings devoted to education, programming, and group activities with computer labs for job search.
The Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC, 651 Mulberry Street, Kansas City, MO 64101; 816-842-7467) is located in the Historic West Bottoms of Kansas City and was converted from a minimum-security prison. The Restorative Reentry Community (RRC) at TCKC brings in 50+ community partners and offers wide-ranging programming. Residents advance through a four-tiered program focused on employment, education, self-improvement, and community reintegration.
Missouri also operates six community supervision centers statewide, one of which was converted into Missouri's first residential probation and parole facility for women in Fulton, Missouri. The Fulton center provides cognitive interventions, life skills, sobriety support, and gender-responsive programming for women on probation and parole.
Missouri DOC maintains an interactive Reentry Housing Map (doc.mo.gov/programs/reentry-housing) searchable by county and housing type -- one of the most practical pre-release tools available for families. Families can search the map before release to identify specific programs near the planned release address.
For nonprofit housing in St. Louis, Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) provides year-long supportive housing and wraparound services through separate programs for men, women, and veterans. Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry serves women and trans individuals through two apartment-style transitional housing sites: Baker House (12 residents) and Schirmer House (32 residents), providing comprehensive case management, food stipends, transportation, clothing, and wraparound services. Mission Gate Ministry operates a Christian residential reentry program in Cuba, Troy, Chesterfield, and St. Louis for men and women; applications require MO DOC / Division of Probation and Parole sign-off, and applications can be submitted while still incarcerated.
Rx Outreach Healthy Transitions (314-222-0472 or 888-796-1234) fills the medication gap that occurs between prison release and when returning citizens can get new prescriptions -- a practical resource for people with ongoing medical needs releasing to the St. Louis area.
For federal inmates, two federal Residential Reentry Centers serve Missouri: 5025 Cote Brilliante Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113 (314-361-2802) and 469 East High Street, Springfield, MO 65803 (417-831-3033). BOP RRM Kansas City coordinates Missouri federal placements. Federal RRC placement is coordinated by the BOP unit team beginning 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Missouri.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Missouri housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute and no Missouri housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Missouri PHAs may consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encourages individualized assessment. Missouri PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary standards. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered locally, so the specific policy depends on which Missouri PHA covers the relevant area.
Missouri has no statewide fair chance housing law limiting private landlord or PHA use of criminal history beyond the federal framework.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For families in private rental housing, Missouri has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions.
Missouri's strong DOC reentry infrastructure means that many people releasing from state facilities have access to housing referrals and support through their reentry center and assigned officer. Families should engage with the reentry center at the specific facility as early as possible rather than waiting for release day.
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Contact the reentry center inside the specific Missouri state prison about housing referrals, THU eligibility, and Transition Center placement.
Use the Missouri DOC Reentry Housing Map (doc.mo.gov/programs/reentry-housing) to search for housing programs by county before release.
For St. Louis: contact CJM, Keyway Center, and Mission Gate Ministry (can apply while still incarcerated for Mission Gate) well before release.
For people with ongoing medical needs releasing to St. Louis: contact Rx Outreach Healthy Transitions (314-222-0472 or 888-796-1234).
For federal inmates: discuss RRC options with the BOP case manager early. BOP RRM Kansas City: 913-551-1117.
Call 211 Missouri for housing referrals and reentry services by county.
Confirm all housing with the assigned probation or parole officer. An approved address is required before release.
State Resources
Missouri DOC Reentry Services (doc.mo.gov/programs/reentry-housing): Reentry Housing Map searchable by county; 11 in-prison reentry centers; Transition Center of St. Louis; Transition Center of Kansas City.
Transition Center of St. Louis (TCSTL): 1621 N. 1st Street, St. Louis, MO 63102; 314-877-0300; men under community supervision; four-phase programming.
Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC): 651 Mulberry Street, Kansas City, MO 64101; 816-842-7467; four-tiered Restorative Reentry Community; 50+ community partners.
Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM, St. Louis): Year-long supportive housing for men, women, and veterans; wraparound services.
Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry (St. Louis): Women and trans individuals; Baker House (12 residents) and Schirmer House (32 residents); comprehensive case management.
Mission Gate Ministry (Cuba, Troy, Chesterfield, St. Louis): Christian residential reentry program for men and women; applications submitted while incarcerated require MO DOC / Probation and Parole sign-off.
Rx Outreach Healthy Transitions (314-222-0472 or 888-796-1234): Medication gap bridge program for returning citizens in the St. Louis area.
Federal RRCs: St. Louis (5025 Cote Brilliante Ave.; 314-361-2802); Springfield (469 East High Street; 417-831-3033). BOP RRM Kansas City: 913-551-1117.
Missouri Legal Services (lsmo.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Missourians, including housing rights and expungement.
211 Missouri: Dial 211 for free referrals to housing, reentry services, shelter, and emergency assistance by county.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Missouri?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Missouri housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Missouri PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Missouri's housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Missouri?
Missouri DOC operates 11 in-prison reentry centers and Transitional Housing Units (THUs) providing pre-release services starting approximately six months before release. The Transition Center of St. Louis (314-877-0300) and Transition Center of Kansas City (816-842-7467) provide residential transitional housing with four-phase programming for men under community supervision. A women's residential facility operates in Fulton. For federal inmates, BOP RRM Kansas City coordinates RRC placement at two Missouri federal RRCs (St. Louis and Springfield); under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in placement up to 12 months before release.
What are Missouri's Transition Centers?
Missouri operates two state DOC Transition Centers. The Transition Center of St. Louis (TCSTL, 1621 N. 1st Street, St. Louis; 314-877-0300) serves men under community supervision through a four-phase program covering employment, education, treatment, life skills, family reunification, and money management. Each resident is assigned a probation/parole officer and case manager. The Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC, 651 Mulberry Street, Kansas City; 816-842-7467) operates as a Restorative Reentry Community with 50+ community partners and a four-tiered progression program. Both centers were transformed from existing correctional facilities into rehabilitation-focused community reentry hubs.
How does federal RRC placement work in Missouri?
The BOP unit team begins reviewing federal inmates for RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. BOP RRM Kansas City (913-551-1117) manages Missouri placements. Two federal RRCs serve Missouri: 5025 Cote Brilliante Avenue, St. Louis (314-361-2802) and 469 East High Street, Springfield (417-831-3033). Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply directly. Families can help by ensuring the planned release address is clearly documented with the case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in Missouri refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Yes. Missouri has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions. Landlords using background check services must comply with the federal FCRA, which requires consent and adverse action notices. HUD guidance advises that blanket criminal history bans may violate the federal Fair Housing Act through disparate impact. Missouri Legal Services (lsmo.org) provides free guidance on housing rights. The Missouri DOC Reentry Housing Map can help locate housing-friendly providers by county.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Missouri?
Missouri DOC (doc.mo.gov) operates 11 in-prison reentry centers; Transition Centers in St. Louis and Kansas City; a women's residential facility in Fulton; and an interactive Reentry Housing Map. CJM provides year-long St. Louis supportive housing. Keyway Center provides transitional housing for women and trans individuals in St. Louis. Mission Gate Ministry operates Christian reentry homes in Cuba, Troy, Chesterfield, and St. Louis. Federal RRCs serve St. Louis and Springfield. Rx Outreach Healthy Transitions fills medication gaps. 211 Missouri (dial 211) provides county referrals. Missouri Legal Services (lsmo.org) provides free housing rights help.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Contact the reentry center at the specific Missouri state prison early -- reentry centers inside every state facility are the primary planning hub. Use the Missouri DOC Reentry Housing Map (doc.mo.gov/programs/reentry-housing) to search by county before release. Contact Mission Gate Ministry if appropriate -- applications can be submitted while still incarcerated with MO DOC sign-off. For St. Louis: contact CJM and Keyway Center. For Kansas City: contact TCKC (816-842-7467). Call 211 Missouri for county referrals. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm all housing with the assigned probation or parole officer before release.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri law restricts registered sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare centers, and other places where children congregate. Many Missouri transitional housing programs, including the Transition Centers, will not accept registered sex offenders. Missouri DOC supervision conditions for registrants may impose additional restrictions. Families of registrants must work directly with the supervising officer to identify compliant housing well before release. Confirm the current Missouri statute (Missouri Revised Statutes §566.147 or current equivalent) and required distances at publish time. ---