What income-based housing programs exist in Kansas

Kansas has three main paths to income-based housing: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers run by local housing authorities in each county, public housing owned and managed by those same authorities, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties that are privately owned but built with tax incentives for low-income residents. Section 8 is the largest program — it gives you a voucher to use at any landlord who accepts it, and you pay 30 percent of your income toward rent while the program covers the rest. Public housing is older stock owned directly by the authority. LIHTC properties are newer or renovated apartments where the owner has agreed to rent to people below a certain income threshold, usually at a fixed affordable rate.

Which one you can use depends on where you live, your income, and how long you are willing to wait. Section 8 has waiting lists in every Kansas county, and some are closed to new applicants. Public housing also has waiting lists but usually shorter ones. LIHTC properties do not have waiting lists — you find one with an opening and explore directly to the landlord or property manager, the same way you would rent anywhere else.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are available through your county housing authority, but most Kansas counties have closed waiting lists that reopen unpredictably.
  • Public housing owned by housing authorities often has shorter waiting lists than Section 8 and may move faster, though the buildings are typically older.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties let you explore directly to the landlord with no waiting list, and you can move in as soon as you are approved and a unit is available.
  • Your income must fall below 50 to 80 percent of the area median income depending on the program, and you will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of benefits.
  • Housing authorities in Kansas are organized by county, so you explore to the one where you live or plan to live.

How to find your county housing authority

Kansas has 105 counties, and each one has a housing authority that runs Section 8 and public housing programs. The easiest way to find yours is to search "[your county name] Kansas housing authority" online, or call your county clerk's office and ask for the housing authority phone number. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) maintains a directory on its website, though it is not always current, so calling is often faster.

Once you have the number, call and ask three things: whether the Section 8 waiting list is open, whether public housing has openings, and what documents you need to bring to explore. Some authorities will tell you the waiting list is closed but will take your name for a callback when it reopens. Others will give you an process on the spot. Do not assume the list is closed just because you heard it was closed a year ago — lists open and close based on funding and turnover, sometimes several times a year.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: waiting lists and timelines

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that follows you — you find a rental property, the landlord agrees to accept Section 8, and the program pays the landlord directly. You pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income as rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a limit called the payment standard, which varies by county and bedroom size. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference out of pocket. If it is lower, you pay only 30 percent of your income.

The waiting list is the barrier. Most Kansas counties have closed lists, meaning they are not taking new applications. When a list opens, it usually stays open for a few weeks or months, then closes again. There is no way to know in advance when a list will open. The only reliable way to find out is to call your housing authority every few months and ask, or ask them to call you when the list reopens. Some authorities will email or mail you a notice; others will not, so calling is safer.

If you get on the list, the wait is typically one to three years, though it varies widely by county. Rural counties often move faster. Urban counties like Johnson County (Kansas City area) and Sedgwick County (Wichita) have longer waits. Once you reach the top of the list and are approved, you have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property and have the landlord sign a lease with the housing authority. If you do not find a place in time, you may lose your voucher.

Public housing in Kansas

Public housing is rental property owned and operated by the housing authority itself. The rent is also based on 30 percent of your income, with the same income limits as Section 8. The main difference is that you are renting from the authority, not from a private landlord, and the buildings are usually older — many were built in the 1970s and 1980s. Some have been renovated; others have not.

Waiting lists for public housing are usually shorter than Section 8 lists, and some counties have openings you can move into within weeks. Call your housing authority and ask whether public housing has a waiting list and how long it typically takes. If the Section 8 list is closed but public housing is open, public housing is worth considering as a faster option. You can also be on both waiting lists at the same time.

The process process is the same: bring proof of income, identity, and residency to the housing authority office. They will tell you what documents they need. Once you are approved, you go on the waiting list. When a unit becomes available, the authority will call you and show you the apartment. If you accept it, you sign a lease and move in.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties

LIHTC properties are apartments or houses built or renovated with federal tax credits, which means the owner agreed to rent to low-income residents at below-market rates. These properties are scattered throughout Kansas — in cities, suburbs, and small towns. The income limits are usually 50 to 60 percent of area median income, which is lower than Section 8, so you may not be able to use LIHTC if your income is too high.

The advantage is speed: there is no waiting list. You find a property with an opening, explore directly to the landlord or property manager, and if you are approved, you can move in as soon as the unit is ready. The disadvantage is that rents are fixed — you do not pay 30 percent of your income like you do with Section 8. Instead, you pay whatever the owner has set as the affordable rent, which is usually 30 to 40 percent of area median income. For some people this is cheaper than Section 8; for others it is more expensive.

To find LIHTC properties in your area, search the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation database online, or call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for affordable housing in your county. You can also search HousingSearchKS.org, which lists many LIHTC and other affordable properties across the state. When you find a property you like, call the landlord or property manager and ask about income limits and current openings.

Income limits and what documents you need

Income limits for Section 8 and public housing are usually 50 percent of area median income (AMI) for public housing and up to 80 percent AMI for Section 8, though the exact limit depends on your county and family size. Area median income is calculated by HUD (the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development) and changes every year. Your housing authority can tell you the current limit for your county and family size.

To explore, bring recent proof of income. If you work, bring two recent pay stubs and a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title and hourly rate or salary. If you receive benefits — Social Security, disability, unemployment, TANF, food information — bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you are self-employed, bring your last two years of tax returns. If you have no income, bring a statement explaining that and any documentation of support from family or other sources.

You will also need a photo ID, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease in your name), and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents). Some authorities also ask for a background check, which you authorize them to run. Bring originals or certified copies; photocopies are usually not accepted. Call your housing authority before you go in and ask what they specifically need — requirements vary slightly by county.

What happens after you explore

After you submit your process, the housing authority will verify your income by contacting your employer or benefits agency directly. This takes one to two weeks. They will also run a background check and check your rental history — whether you have been evicted, whether you owe money to a previous landlord, and whether you have a criminal record. The authority has the right to deny you based on criminal history or eviction, though they must give you a chance to explain.

Once you are approved, you go on the waiting list. For Section 8, you wait for your name to reach the top of the list and for funding to become available. For public housing, you wait for a unit to open up. For LIHTC, there is no waiting — you move in when approved and a unit is available. If you are denied, the authority must tell you why in writing and give you a chance to appeal. Appeals are usually decided within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 in more than one county?

No. You can only be on one Section 8 waiting list at a time. If you are moving to a different county, you will need to explore to that county's housing authority instead. You can be on a public housing list and a Section 8 list in the same county at the same time.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

Housing authorities can deny you for criminal history or eviction, but they must consider the details — how long ago it happened, what the charge was, and whether you have shown a pattern of change. Ask the authority what their policy is before you explore. If you are denied, you have the right to appeal and explain your situation.

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

Verification of income takes one to two weeks. Background checks take another one to two weeks. You should hear a decision within a month. If the authority is slow, call and ask for a status update — some offices move faster than others.

What if the Section 8 waiting list in my county is closed?

Call every few months and ask when it will reopen, or ask them to notify you when applications are being taken again. In the meantime, look into public housing or LIHTC properties in your area. You can also ask whether a neighboring county's list is open — some people explore in multiple counties if they are willing to move.

Do I have to pay process fees?

No. Housing authorities cannot charge you to explore for Section 8 or public housing. If someone asks you for money to explore, they are not legitimate. LIHTC properties may charge an process fee like any other rental property, usually $25 to $50.