King County Housing Authority

About King County Housing Authority

The King County Housing Authority provides rental housing and rental assistance to more than 19,000 households in the metropolitan area outside of Seattle that includes 33 cities and the unincorporated areas of King County. King County is home to more than 1.8 million residents and covers more than 2,000 square miles. KCHA's service area includes 1.2 million of the county's residents and the majority of its low-income households.

KCHA owns and manages 4,300 units of federally funded housing for families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. An additional 7,600 units of low- and moderate-income housing are financed through tax credits or tax-exempt bonds. Federally funded Section 8 Vouchers help more than 10,800 households rent affordable housing on the private market.

Through partnerships with communities and nonprofits, KCHA's housing and supportive services combine to reach 55,000 people who earn less than the county median income. The combination of housing and services put self-sufficiency within most families' reach, oftentimes within six years. Using flexibilities available by being a MTW housing authority, KCHA works closely with non profit partners by providing project and sponsor based vouchers targeting vulnerable populations such as individuals and families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, behavior health issues and family reunification.

KCHA also extensive involvement in the financing and development of both new and acquired housing. A unique line of business for KCHA is the acquisition and preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing. Over the last 25 years KCHA has acquired from private owners over 5000 units of housing, primarily using tax exempt governmental purpose bonds, private activity bonds and low income housing tax credits. KCHA also as administers the low income weatherization program for King County.