What the Renton Housing Authority does

The Renton Housing Authority (RHA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Renton, Washington. It does not run a waiting list for the general public to request housing — instead, it operates specific programs with their own intake processes. The main programs are public housing (apartments RHA owns directly) and Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly Section 8), which let you rent from a private landlord and the voucher covers part of your rent.

RHA also administers emergency rental information funded by the state and federal government, though that program opens and closes depending on available funding. The agency's offices are located in Renton, and most business is handled by phone, mail, or in person at their administrative office.

Key Takeaways

  • Renton Housing Authority runs public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers as separate programs, each with its own waiting list and income limits.
  • You cannot walk in and request housing; you must contact RHA directly to learn whether a program is currently taking new names.
  • Public housing waitlists in Renton are typically closed to new applicants, though this changes; call to confirm current status.
  • Housing Choice Vouchers have income limits based on area median income and family size, and you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher.
  • Emergency rental information is available only when funding is active and covers rent you already owe, not future rent.

Public housing through Renton Housing Authority

RHA owns and manages apartment buildings throughout Renton. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, which means lower-income households pay less. To live in RHA public housing, your household income must fall below the income limit for your family size — these limits are set annually and vary by the number of people in your household.

The public housing waiting list is often closed. When it is open, RHA accepts applications for a limited time, then closes the list again. You can call RHA's main office to ask whether applications are being taken. If the list is closed, ask when it typically reopens or whether you can request to be notified when it does.

Once you are on the waiting list, wait times vary widely depending on the size unit you need and current availability. RHA prioritizes households experiencing homelessness and those with the longest time on the list. When a unit becomes available, RHA contacts you to verify your income and household composition, then offers you the apartment.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

A Housing Choice Voucher is a monthly payment from RHA to your landlord that covers a portion of your rent. You find the apartment yourself from any landlord in the Renton area who is willing to accept the voucher. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent, which is typically 30 percent of your household income.

To use a voucher, your household income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income for King County. For a single person, this is roughly $40,000 to $45,000 annually; for a family of four, roughly $65,000 to $70,000. These figures change each year. The landlord's apartment must pass an inspection by RHA to may support it meets housing quality standards.

The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is also typically closed. Like public housing, you can call RHA to ask about current status and whether you can request notification when the list reopens. Wait times for vouchers are often longer than for public housing because demand is high.

Emergency rental information from Renton Housing Authority

When state or federal emergency funds are available, RHA administers a program that pays landlords directly for rent you already owe. This is not regular rental information — it is only available during specific funding periods, usually after a declared emergency or economic hardship.

To be considered, you typically must show that you have fallen behind on rent due to a recent hardship (job loss, illness, reduced hours), have a signed lease, and meet income limits. The program pays the landlord, not you, so you will need your landlord's contact information and a copy of your lease. Processing usually takes two to six weeks.

Emergency funds run out quickly. Call RHA to ask whether the fund is currently open and accepting new requests. If it is closed, ask whether there is a waitlist or when funding is expected to reopen.

How to contact Renton Housing Authority

Renton Housing Authority's main office is located at 3600 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98055. You can reach them by phone at (425) 430-6500. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though you should call to confirm current hours.

When you call, have your household size, current income, and any documentation of hardship ready if you are asking about emergency information. If you are calling about public housing or vouchers, ask specifically whether the waiting list is open and what the current wait time is for your household size.

Income limits and what counts as income

RHA uses gross household income to determine whether you meet the income limit for each program. Gross income includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular payments. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or money from selling an asset.

Income limits are recalculated each year based on area median income. RHA will ask you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements to verify your income. If your income is slightly above the limit, ask RHA whether you may still be considered — some programs have small exceptions or may place you on a list for when your income drops.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, RHA will contact you when an apartment matching your family size becomes available. You will need to sign a lease and move in within a set timeframe, usually 30 days. Rent is due on the first of each month and is calculated at 30 percent of your household income.

If you are approved for a Housing Choice Voucher, RHA will give you a voucher packet with instructions on how to find an apartment. You have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord who accepts vouchers and whose apartment passes inspection. Once you find an apartment and the landlord signs the lease, RHA begins paying the voucher portion directly to the landlord each month.

For both programs, you must report changes in household income or composition to RHA. If your income increases significantly, your rent may increase. If someone moves out of the household, you must notify RHA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing in Renton?

Wait times vary depending on the size apartment you need and current availability. Call RHA at (425) 430-6500 to ask the current wait time for your household size. Many applicants wait one to three years, but this changes as units become available and new applicants are added.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher anywhere in Washington?

Housing Choice Vouchers issued by Renton Housing Authority can typically be used in Renton and some surrounding areas in King County. Some vouchers have portability, meaning you can move to another housing authority's area, but this requires approval from both agencies. Ask RHA about portability when you receive your voucher.

What if my landlord refuses to accept a Housing Choice Voucher?

Landlords are not required to accept vouchers. You will need to find a different landlord. RHA can provide a list of landlords who have previously accepted vouchers, though this list is not exhaustive. You can also search online or contact local property management companies to ask whether they accept vouchers.

Do I have to pay anything to be on the waiting list?

No. There is no fee to explore for public housing or Housing Choice Vouchers through Renton Housing Authority. Be cautious of anyone claiming to charge a fee to put you on the list or to move you up — that is a scam.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

Contact RHA and explain your situation. Some programs have small income exceptions or may place you on a waiting list for when your income drops. It is worth asking directly rather than assuming you are ineligible.