What the Kansas City Housing Authority does

The Kansas City Housing Authority (KCHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and rental information programs in Kansas City, Missouri. It owns and manages apartment buildings where tenants pay rent based on their income, and it distributes federal vouchers that help low-income renters afford private apartments. KCHA does not build or repair housing itself — it administers programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

KCHA serves people whose household income falls below 80 percent of the area median income. The exact income limit depends on household size and changes yearly. If you live in Kansas City proper (not the suburbs), KCHA is the body that determines whether you can enter public housing or receive a rental voucher.

The agency also handles lease enforcement, maintenance requests, and rent collection for its public housing residents. If you live in a KCHA building, KCHA is your landlord.

Key Takeaways

  • KCHA runs two main programs: public housing (apartments it owns) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (rent information for private apartments).
  • Both programs require your household income to be below 80 percent of area median income, and both have waiting lists that can be years long.
  • KCHA's main office is at 1124 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, and you can reach them at 816-474-4600 to ask about current waiting list status.
  • Public housing residents pay 30 percent of their income as rent; the rest is covered by federal subsidy.
  • Voucher holders search for their own apartments and landlords must accept the voucher as payment for the difference between market rent and the tenant's share.

Public housing versus the voucher program

KCHA operates two separate paths. Public housing means you rent an apartment that KCHA owns. KCHA sets the rules, handles maintenance, and collects rent. You pay 30 percent of your household income as rent; federal funds cover the rest. Public housing is concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and KCHA decides which building you move into based on availability and family size.

The Housing Choice Voucher program (also called Section 8) gives you a voucher worth a set dollar amount each month. You find your own apartment in the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. This gives you more choice about where to live, but you must find a landlord willing to participate. Not all landlords accept vouchers.

Both programs have waiting lists. KCHA opens and closes its waiting lists depending on demand and funding. When a list is closed, you cannot add your name until it reopens — there is no way to get on a closed list early.

How to find out about waiting lists and current openings

KCHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and for vouchers. The length of each list and whether it is open changes throughout the year. The only way to know the current status is to contact KCHA directly.

Call KCHA at 816-474-4600 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and ask whether the public housing waiting list and the voucher waiting list are currently open. Staff can tell you how long the wait typically is for each program. You can also visit their office at 1124 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106 in person.

Some housing authorities allow you to explore online or by mail when a list is open. Ask KCHA which method they accept. If you are explore, you will need proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency in Kansas City, and identification. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted.

What happens after you are on the waiting list

Once your name is on a KCHA waiting list, you wait for your turn. The wait can be months or years depending on the program and current demand. KCHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You must respond within the timeframe they give you — usually a few days — or you lose your spot and go to the back of the list.

If you are offered a unit or voucher, KCHA will schedule an appointment to review the lease, explain your rights and responsibilities, and collect any required fees or deposits. For public housing, there is usually a small deposit. For vouchers, there is typically no deposit, but you must attend an orientation before you can use the voucher to search for an apartment.

Your contact information must stay current. If KCHA cannot reach you when a unit is available, they will move on to the next person. Update your phone number and address with KCHA when ready if you move or change numbers while on the waiting list.

Rent, income limits, and recertification

In KCHA public housing, you pay 30 percent of your gross household income as rent. If your income changes, your rent changes. KCHA requires you to report income changes within 30 days. If you earn more money, your rent goes up. If you lose income, your rent goes down.

Every year, KCHA recertifies your income. You must provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer showing your current income. If you do not recertify on time, KCHA can terminate your lease. Recertification is not optional.

The income limit to enter KCHA programs is 80 percent of area median income. For Kansas City in 2024, that means a household of one can earn roughly $52,000 per year, and a household of four can earn roughly $74,000 per year — but these figures change annually. Call KCHA to confirm the exact limit for your household size.

Maintenance, repairs, and tenant rights in public housing

If you live in a KCHA building, you have the right to a safe, habitable apartment. That means working heat, water, electricity, and a roof that does not leak. If something breaks, submit a maintenance request to KCHA in writing or by phone. Keep a copy of your request and the date you made it.

KCHA must respond to emergency repairs (no heat, no water, electrical hazard) within 24 hours. Non-emergency repairs have a longer timeline, usually 7 to 14 days depending on the issue. If KCHA does not make repairs in a reasonable time, you have the right to withhold rent, repair it yourself and deduct the cost, or break your lease without penalty — but do this only after documenting your requests in writing and giving KCHA written notice of your intent.

KCHA can evict you for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. You have the right to a hearing before eviction. If you receive an eviction notice, contact a legal aid organization when ready — Kansas City has free legal help for low-income tenants.

Contact information and resources

Kansas City Housing Authority 1124 Walnut Street Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: 816-474-4600 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For legal help with a lease dispute or eviction, contact Legal Aid of Western Missouri at 816-474-4500 or visit lawmo.org. They provide free representation to low-income tenants in Kansas City.

For questions about your rights as a public housing resident, the National Housing Law Project publishes a guide called "Tenants' Rights in Public Housing" that explains federal rules. You can find it free online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for KCHA public housing?

The wait varies. KCHA's public housing list can be anywhere from several months to several years depending on demand and how many units are available. The only way to know is to call 816-474-4600 and ask. The wait for vouchers is often longer than the wait for public housing.

Can I choose which KCHA building I live in?

No. KCHA assigns you to a unit based on availability, family size, and accessibility needs. You do not get to pick the neighborhood or the specific building. With a voucher, you choose your own apartment and landlord.

What if my income goes up after I move into KCHA housing?

Your rent will increase to 30 percent of your new income. You must report income changes within 30 days. If you earn significantly more, you may eventually earn too much to stay in the program, but KCHA usually gives you time to transition out.

Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I have a voucher?

In Missouri, landlords cannot legally refuse to rent to you solely because you have a voucher. However, they can refuse for other reasons like credit history or criminal background. If you believe you were denied because of the voucher, contact Legal Aid of Western Missouri or the Kansas City Commission on Human Rights at 816-513-1500.

What do I do if KCHA does not make a repair?

Document every request in writing and keep copies. Give KCHA written notice that you are withholding rent or that you intend to repair it yourself and deduct the cost. Do not straightforward stop paying — follow the legal process. Contact Legal Aid of Western Missouri before you take action to make sure you do it correctly.