What the Housing Authority of Kansas City does

The Housing Authority of Kansas City (HAKC) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing units across Kansas City, Missouri. It also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), which lets low-income renters use a voucher to pay part of their rent at privately owned apartments. HAKC does not build or own all rental housing in the city — it manages a specific portfolio of properties and a specific pool of vouchers.

HAKC operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This means the agency must follow the same income limits, rent calculations, and lease rules as every other housing authority in the country, though the specific number of units and vouchers available in Kansas City depends on federal funding.

The agency also runs supportive services programs tied to some of its properties, including case management, job training, and youth programs. These vary by location and funding.

Key Takeaways

  • HAKC manages public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers separately — getting a voucher does not give you access to HAKC-owned apartments, and living in HAKC housing does not mean you have a voucher.
  • Both programs require your household income to fall below a set limit, which changes yearly and depends on household size.
  • HAKC maintains waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers, and both lists can be closed to new names when demand is very high.
  • Rent in HAKC housing is calculated as a percentage of your income, usually 30 percent, so your payment changes if your income changes.
  • You can contact HAKC directly by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about current waiting list status and what documents you will need.

Public housing managed by HAKC

HAKC owns and operates apartment buildings and townhouses across Kansas City. These are not subsidized private rentals — HAKC itself is the landlord. The agency sets the lease terms, collects rent, handles maintenance, and enforces house rules.

Rent in HAKC public housing is set at 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income, or the local operating cost, whichever is higher. This means your rent payment is tied to what you earn. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises. You pay HAKC directly each month.

HAKC public housing is open to households whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Kansas City. The income limit varies by household size and is updated each year. You can contact HAKC to learn the current limit for your household size.

Housing Choice Vouchers administered by HAKC

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that goes to a private landlord on your behalf. You find an apartment on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and HAKC pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest out of pocket, usually 30 percent of your income.

The voucher is not tied to a specific building or landlord. You can use it at any apartment where the landlord is willing to participate and the unit passes a housing quality inspection. You can move to a different apartment and take the voucher with you, as long as you stay within HAKC's jurisdiction and follow program rules.

Income limits for vouchers are the same as for public housing — your household income must not exceed 80 percent of AMI. However, HAKC can only issue vouchers to households that fall below 50 percent of AMI at the time of initial approval, though you can keep the voucher if your income rises later.

Waiting lists and how to get on them

HAKC maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and for vouchers. Being on one list does not put you on the other. You must request to be added to each list separately.

Both waiting lists can be closed. When demand is very high, HAKC stops accepting new names and reopens the list only when units or vouchers become available. You can contact HAKC to find out whether the list you want is currently open or closed.

To get on a waiting list, you typically need to provide proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency. HAKC will tell you the exact documents needed when you contact them. Processing can take several weeks.

Waiting times vary widely. Some people are called within months; others wait years. HAKC prioritizes based on factors like homelessness, disability, and local preferences, so the order is not strictly first-come, first-served.

Income recertification and rent changes

Whether you live in HAKC public housing or hold a voucher, you must report your income to HAKC once a year. This is called recertification. You will be asked to bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of what you earned in the past year.

If your income has changed, your rent payment will change. HAKC recalculates what you owe based on the new figure. If you lose a job or your hours are cut, report it right away — your rent will drop. If you get a raise or a second job, you must report that too, and your rent will go up.

If you do not complete recertification on time, HAKC can terminate your lease or voucher. The agency will send you a notice with a important date. If you miss it, you lose your housing or voucher.

Rules and lease violations in HAKC housing

HAKC tenants must follow the lease and house rules. Common violations include non-payment of rent, unauthorized occupants, criminal activity, property damage, and lease violations like keeping a pet without permission.

If you violate the lease, HAKC will send you a notice. For non-payment, you usually get a chance to pay before eviction proceedings start. For other violations, HAKC may give you a chance to cure (fix the problem) or may move directly to eviction.

HAKC can evict you through the court system. You have the right to appear in court and defend yourself. If the court rules in HAKC's favor, you will be ordered to leave. An eviction judgment stays on your record and makes it harder to rent elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact the Housing Authority of Kansas City?

HAKC's main office is located in Kansas City, Missouri. You can reach them by phone, mail, or by visiting in person. The agency's website and phone number are available through a local directory search or by contacting 211 Kansas City, which maintains current contact information for housing programs in the area.

What is the difference between public housing and a Housing Choice Voucher?

In public housing, HAKC is your landlord and owns the building. In a voucher program, you find a private landlord and HAKC pays part of the rent. With a voucher, you can move to a different apartment; with public housing, you stay in the same HAKC building unless you request a transfer.

Can I be evicted from HAKC housing?

Yes. HAKC can evict you for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. You have the right to receive notice and to appear in court. If the court rules against you, you will be ordered to leave.

What happens to my rent if my income changes?

Your rent is recalculated based on your new income at your annual recertification. If your income drops, your rent drops. If it rises, your rent rises. You must report income changes to HAKC, even between recertifications if the change is significant.

Can I use my Housing Choice Voucher anywhere in Kansas City?

You can use your voucher at any apartment where the landlord agrees to participate and the unit passes inspection. You are not limited to HAKC-owned buildings. You can move to different apartments as long as you stay within HAKC's jurisdiction and follow program rules.