What the Kansas City Housing Authority does

The Kansas City Housing Authority (KCHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and administers Section 8 vouchers in Kansas City, Missouri. It does not provide cash information or rental help directly — it manages housing units and voucher programs that let low-income households rent from private landlords at reduced cost. KCHA is separate from the city government, though it receives federal funding and operates under federal rules.

KCHA owns and operates public housing complexes where tenants pay rent based on their income. It also holds a waiting list for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, which are certificates that reduce what a tenant pays to a landlord. Both programs serve households below certain income limits, and both have waiting lists that can be years long.

Key Takeaways

  • KCHA runs two separate programs: public housing (where KCHA owns the building) and Section 8 vouchers (where you rent from a private landlord and KCHA pays part of the rent).
  • Both programs have income limits based on area median income, and both have waiting lists that are currently closed or have multi-year waits.
  • You must contact KCHA directly to learn current waiting list status, because it changes and is not posted consistently online.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income; Section 8 rent is split between you and the voucher, usually with you paying 30 percent of your income.
  • KCHA's main office is at 1124 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current openings.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

KCHA operates two distinct programs, and it is important to understand the difference because the process process and what you pay are different for each.

Public housing means KCHA owns the building you live in. You sign a lease with KCHA, pay rent based on your household income (usually 30 percent of gross monthly income, with a minimum rent), and KCHA maintains the property. Public housing complexes in Kansas City include Guinotte Gardens, Scarritt Point, and several others. Rent is affordable because you are paying only a portion of the actual cost; the federal government covers the rest.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. KCHA gives you a voucher (a certificate) that you take to a private landlord. The landlord agrees to rent to you, and KCHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent directly. You pay the rest, usually 30 percent of your income. You choose the apartment (within limits set by KCHA), and you sign a lease with the landlord, not with KCHA. KCHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards.

Both programs require your household income to be below a certain threshold. For Kansas City, the income limits change yearly and depend on household size. You must contact KCHA to learn the current limits, because they vary and are updated each fiscal year.

Income limits and who can participate

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits, but they are not the same for every household size, and they change annually. KCHA uses the area median income (AMI) for Kansas City to set these limits. Generally, you must earn less than 50 to 80 percent of AMI depending on the program and your household size.

You will also need to pass a background check. KCHA screens for criminal history, eviction history, and past non-payment of rent. A criminal record or eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but KCHA will review your case. Drug-related convictions and violence-related convictions are treated more strictly than other offenses.

If you have a disability, you may be may have access to to reasonable accommodations in either program. This might mean a ground-floor unit, accessible parking, or other modifications. Tell KCHA about your disability during the intake process.

To find the current income limits and learn whether you might be within range, contact KCHA directly. The limits are public information, but they are not always straightforward to find online, and staff can tell you when ready whether your household size and income make you potentially may be able to access.

How to get on the waiting list

Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists, and both are currently closed or have very long waits. Before you spend time on an process, call KCHA to ask whether the list is open and how long the current wait is.

If the list is open, you will need to visit KCHA's office in person or call to request an process. You cannot usually start the process online. Bring or have ready: a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency in Kansas City, and Social Security numbers for all household members. If you are explore for Section 8, you will also need to list any landlord references.

KCHA will interview you, verify your income, and run a background check. The process takes several weeks. Once you are on the waiting list, KCHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available — this can take months or years depending on the program and your priority.

Priority on the waiting list is based on factors like homelessness, being displaced by disaster, or living in substandard housing. KCHA will ask about your housing situation during the interview and assign you a priority level.

What you pay in public housing

In KCHA public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month, depending on the property). If your household earns $1,500 per month, your rent would be $450. If you earn $800 per month, you pay the minimum rent, not $240.

Utilities are sometimes included in the rent and sometimes billed separately, depending on the complex. When you are offered a unit, KCHA will tell you what is included. You are responsible for renters insurance, though it is inexpensive (usually $10 to $20 per month).

If your income changes, you must report it to KCHA. Your rent will be recalculated. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. If it goes up, your rent goes up at the next lease renewal, which is usually annual.

What you pay with a Section 8 voucher

With a Section 8 voucher, you pay 30 percent of your gross household income toward rent, and KCHA pays the landlord the rest (up to a limit called the "payment standard" for your area). If the rent is $1,200 and your income is $1,500 per month, you pay $450 and KCHA pays $750. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference out of pocket.

You are responsible for utilities unless the lease says otherwise. You choose which utilities you pay and which the landlord covers — this is negotiated in your lease.

Like public housing, if your income changes, you must report it to KCHA. Your portion of the rent will be recalculated at your next lease renewal or annual recertification.

You keep the voucher as long as you follow the lease, pay your portion of rent on time, and stay within KCHA's rules. If you move, you can take the voucher to a new landlord (if KCHA approves the new unit). If you lose the voucher, you go back on the waiting list, which can be years long.

How to contact KCHA and what to expect

KCHA's main office is located at 1124 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. You can visit in person during business hours or call their main line. Hours and phone numbers change, so search "Kansas City Housing Authority" online or call 411 to get the current number.

When you call, be prepared to ask: Is the waiting list open for public housing? Is the waiting list open for Section 8? How long is the current wait? What are the income limits for my household size? If the answer is that the list is closed, ask when it might reopen or whether you can be added to a notification list.

If you are currently homeless or in crisis, mention that when you call. KCHA may be able to refer you to emergency information or prioritize your case. If you are not in when ready crisis, expect to wait weeks or months for an appointment if the list is open.

KCHA also has a website where you can find some information, though it is not always current. The office staff will have the most up-to-date information about waiting lists and income limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

No. KCHA allows you to be on one waiting list at a time. You must choose which program you want to pursue. You can ask to be moved from one list to the other, but you cannot hold a place on both simultaneously.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes above the limit?

In public housing, your rent will increase, but you will not be evicted. KCHA allows your income to exceed the limit temporarily. However, if your income stays above the limit for a certain period (usually one year), KCHA may ask you to move. With Section 8, the same rule applies — your portion of rent increases, but you are not when ready removed from the program.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

If the waiting list is open, KCHA will schedule you for an interview within a few weeks. The full process from process to approval takes four to eight weeks. After you are approved and on the waiting list, the wait for a unit or voucher depends on availability and your priority — this can range from a few months to several years.

Do I need a cosigner or guarantor?

KCHA does not require a cosigner for public housing. For Section 8, the landlord may require one, but that is between you and the landlord, not KCHA. KCHA's role is to verify your income and run a background check.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but KCHA will review the details. If the eviction was recent (within the last few years) or if there are multiple evictions, approval is less likely. KCHA considers the reason for the eviction and whether you have since resolved the issue. Be honest about it during your interview — KCHA will find out anyway through the background check.