Sources:
1. King County Housing Authority
2. White Center Now With a record number of low-income households around King County struggling to pay the rent, the King County Housing Authority will be re-opening its waiting list for Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers for only the second time since 2011.
1. King County Housing Authority
2. White Center Now With a record number of low-income households around King County struggling to pay the rent, the King County Housing Authority will be re-opening its waiting list for Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers for only the second time since 2011.
KCHA's Section 8 Voucher program will accept applications from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017 through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2017. The free application process will only be available online through the KCHA website. A random lottery drawing will be used to select 3,500 of these applications for the Section 8 waiting list. Any agency requesting a fee to assist you or who guarantees placement on the waiting list is fraudulent. Please report any such agency to KCHA. Learn more about the lottery process.
| For assistance at Arrowhead Gardens, see Mona Sanger, MSW Senior Resident Wellness Counselor Resident Support & Services 206.549.4763 | Read More for 26 FAQs |
This FAQ can help answer your questions about applying for KCHA's Section 8 voucher program. If you have additional questions after reading these questions, call the Section 8 office at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
QUESTIONS
Answers are listed below this question list.
If you click a question it takes you to the KCHA website.
ANSWERS
1. How do I apply for the voucher waiting list lottery?
You may apply any time between 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017 and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2017. The application is an online-only process; we will not accept paper applications. Click here to access the application.
2. I don’t have a computer at home. Where can I go to apply online?
Any computer, smart phone or internet enabled device can be used to complete an application. Both the King County and Seattle Library Systems provide free access to computers. During the application period, KCHA will provide computer centers at the following locations:
YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center in White Center
9720 8th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106
Firwood Circle Learning Center in Auburn
313 37th Street Southeast, Auburn, WA 98002
Burndale Homes Community Center in Auburn
1044 18th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA 98002
Birch Creek Career Center in Kent
13111 Southeast 27th Street, Suite 226, Kent, WA 98030
Spiritwood Manor in the Bellevue area
1424 148th Avenue Southeast, Bellevue, WA 98007
Work Source of North Seattle and Renton also have computers available for public use. Work Source North Seattle is located at 9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103; Work Source Renton is located at 500 Southwest 7th Street, Suite 100, Renton, WA 98057.
3. Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying for the voucher program is always free. If you are asked for money, you are not on the KCHA website. The only way to submit an application for the voucher program waiting list is through the KCHA website.
4. How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the lottery?
There are five basic rules for qualification. To qualify, you must be able to answer yes to each of the five criteria:
The application form will require the following:
6. Will I need a social security number to apply?
No. If the head of your household doesn't have a social security number, leave this box blank when you fill out your application, and KCHA will assign a unique ID number to your application instead. (This ID number will appear on your application when you are asked to review it, just prior to submission.) However, please note that at least one member of your household must have a valid social security number or green card number (A-number) to receive a voucher.
7. Who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen?
At least one member of your household must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. An eligible non-citizen includes anyone living in the U.S. under one of the following citizenship/immigration categories:
8. I live in transitional housing. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. Because transitional housing is considered a time-limited program (there is a set date the family must be out of the unit), the family is not considered permanently housed and therefore is eligible.
9. I live in low-income public housing or am already on a voucher program. Am I eligible to apply?
Generally not. If you are currently in public housing or already on a voucher program, you will not be eligible for the waiting list unless you can document you are unable to stay in your current housing due to domestic violence, unit safety and/or inaccessibility, hate crime(s), government intervention and/or natural disaster. If you are currently housed through public housing or a voucher program and are not sure if you are eligible to apply for this program, please call (206) 214-1300.
10. Do I have to live in King County to be eligible to apply for the waiting list?
No. However, if you do not currently live in the King County Housing Authority jurisdiction, you will be required to live here for the first year of program participation.
11. Can my family submit more than one application?
No. Only one application per family will be allowed.
12. How do I know if my application went through?
At the end of the online application, you will receive a confirmation number. This number confirms your application has been received. Please save a copy of the number for future reference in case any questions arise regarding your application.
13. How do I contact KCHA if I’m having problems with the application?
You can call the Section 8 office at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. Because we are expecting high volumes of phone calls during the application period, please be patient. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
14. Does my application date/time change my chances of receiving a spot on the waiting list?
Placement on the waiting list will be determined by random lottery after the close of the application period. Because KCHA uses a random lottery system, the date/time you apply during the application period does not change your chances of receiving a place on the waiting list in any way.
15. I need help filling out the application form. What do I do?
If you have difficulty with the application process, please contact our office at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. A customer service member will then help you with the application process. Please note: We expect a high volume of calls during the first couple of days of the application period, so application assistance may be delayed until the middle of the application period. This will not affect your placement on the list, because application date and time do not change your chance of receiving a spot on the waiting list.
16. I believe I have a disability. What is your definition of a disabled person?
In general, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits the ability to engage in any major life activity and that:
17. I have a disability and need assistance completing the application. Is there someone who will assist me?
Yes, the Housing Authority will have staff available to assist anyone who needs assistance completing an application by calling (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. Because we are expecting high volumes of phone calls during the application period, please be patient. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
18. What if I'm pregnant or trying to secure legal custody of a dependent?
If you're a single pregnant woman without other children, or are trying to secure legal custody of a dependent, you may still apply. To ensure that your application is processed correctly, make sure you check "Yes" to the question that asks if you have a child under the age of 18. Please call (206) 214-1300 if you have questions about this requirement.
19. Will the application be available in languages other than English?
No, the application will only be available in English. However, if you need assistance in completing the application and you speak a language other than English, please contact the Section 8 office during the application period at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours and we will arrange for assistance in your language.
20. The application form is running slowly. What do I do?
We are expecting a large number of applicants during the first days opening. Therefore, the application form may run slower due to heavy traffic. Please note: Applying early will not improve your chances of being selected for the lottery, because all households will have the same chance of being selected for the lottery regardless of when they apply during the application period. If the application is slow, please contact KCHA at (206) 214-1300 and we will check into the problem as soon as possible.
21. If I fill out the online-only application form, does this mean I will receive housing assistance?
No. The application will just give you a chance to be placed in the pool of applicants that will be used to select the list of 3,500 households that will be placed on the waiting list. We’ll send you a confirmation letter letting you know whether your household was selected for the list of 3,500 households, and, if so, your household’s position on the list. For that reason, it is important that you keep us informed of any change in your contact information (including phone number and mailing address).
22. When will I find out if I’ve been placed on the waiting list?
You will receive a letter from KCHA stating whether or not you were selected to be on the new waiting list. Notification will be sent by email (if provided) or US postal mail (if no email address is given) no later than May 31, 2017. You may also check our website for updates on the selection process. Please contact us if you do not receive an email or letter by May 31, 2017.
23. Why are you using a lottery to determine positions on the waiting list? Wouldn’t it be fairer if the list were first-come, first-served?
We feel the lottery is the fairest way to give everyone an equal chance of receiving placement on the waiting list.
24. Could the application period close before Apr. 18?
Our application period will not close early for any reason. It will remain open from Apr. 5 at 12:01 a.m. until Apr. 18th at 4:00 p.m.
25. How many total applications for the lottery will be accepted?
There is no limit to the number of applications we will accept. Everyone who wants to apply may do so, as long as they are eligible.
26. Are there other housing options available?
If you would like information about other housing assistance programs, please call 2-1-1 or visit our resources page to learn about other possible resources.
QUESTIONS
Answers are listed below this question list.
If you click a question it takes you to the KCHA website.
- How do I apply for the voucher waiting list lottery?
- I don’t have a computer at home. Where can I go to apply online?
- Does it cost anything to apply?
- How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the lottery?
- What information do I need to apply for the lottery?
- Will I need a social security number to apply?
- Who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen?
- I live in transitional housing. Am I eligible to apply?
- I live in low-income public housing or am already on a voucher program. Am I eligible to apply?
- Do I have to live in King County to be eligible to apply for the waiting list?
- Can my family submit more than one application?
- How do I know if my application went through?
- How do I contact KCHA if I’m having problems with the application?
- Does my application date/time change my chances of receiving a spot on the waiting list?
- I need help filling out the application form. What do I do?
- I believe I have a disability. What is your definition of a disabled person?
- I have a disability and need assistance completing the application. Is there someone who will assist me?
- What if I'm pregnant or trying to secure legal custody of a dependent?
- Will the application be available in languages other than English?
- The application form is running slowly. What do I do?
- If I fill out the online-only application form, does this mean I will receive housing assistance?
- When will I find out if I’ve been placed on the waiting list?
- Why are you using a lottery to determine positions on the waiting list? Wouldn’t it be fairer if the list were first-come, first-served?
- Could the application period close before Apr. 18?
- How many total applications for the lottery will be accepted?
- Are there other housing options available?
ANSWERS
1. How do I apply for the voucher waiting list lottery?
You may apply any time between 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017 and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2017. The application is an online-only process; we will not accept paper applications. Click here to access the application.
2. I don’t have a computer at home. Where can I go to apply online?
Any computer, smart phone or internet enabled device can be used to complete an application. Both the King County and Seattle Library Systems provide free access to computers. During the application period, KCHA will provide computer centers at the following locations:
YWCA Greenbridge Learning Center in White Center
9720 8th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106
Firwood Circle Learning Center in Auburn
313 37th Street Southeast, Auburn, WA 98002
Burndale Homes Community Center in Auburn
1044 18th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA 98002
Birch Creek Career Center in Kent
13111 Southeast 27th Street, Suite 226, Kent, WA 98030
Spiritwood Manor in the Bellevue area
1424 148th Avenue Southeast, Bellevue, WA 98007
Work Source of North Seattle and Renton also have computers available for public use. Work Source North Seattle is located at 9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103; Work Source Renton is located at 500 Southwest 7th Street, Suite 100, Renton, WA 98057.
3. Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying for the voucher program is always free. If you are asked for money, you are not on the KCHA website. The only way to submit an application for the voucher program waiting list is through the KCHA website.
4. How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the lottery?
There are five basic rules for qualification. To qualify, you must be able to answer yes to each of the five criteria:
- The head of household must be over the age of 18.
- Households must contain at least one member who has a disability; who is 62 years or older; or who is under 18 years of age.
- The household must be low-income. A household is considered low income if their annual gross income (income received before any taxes and/or withholdings are taken out) is at or below the amount in the chart below. Note: For the purposes of this application, SNAP benefits should not be included in a household’s total income.
HOUSEHOLD SIZE INCOME LIMIT1 person$48,550
2 people$55,540
3 people$62,400
4 people$69,300
5 people$74,850
6 people$80,400
7 people$85,950
8 people$91,500 - The household must meet at least one of the following program preferences:
Lack a regular nighttime residence, which includes anyone living outside, living in a temporary shelter, living in a car or RV, and/or living with family or friends in an overcrowded situation.
Pay 50% or more of household income towards rent and basic utilities (basic utilities are electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash).
Need to move due to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and/or sex trafficking.
Need to move due to unit inaccessibility, natural disaster, government intervention and/or hate crime(s).
Currently live in a dilapidated or unsafe unit (i.e., a unit lacking proper plumbing or heating).
Make less than 30% of area median income. In order to qualify for this preference, a household’s annual gross income must be at or below the amount in the chart below:
HOUSEHOLD SIZE INCOME LIMIT1 person$19,000
2 people$21,700
3 people$24,400
4 people$27,100
5 people$29,300
6 people$32,580
7 people$36,730
8 people$40,890 - Generally, the household cannot currently be living in government-subsidized housing. Exceptions to this rule are described later in this list of frequently asked questions
The application form will require the following:
- The name, relationship and date of birth for each member of the household.
- Social security number and/or green card number for at least one household member.
- Monthly income for the household (including wage income, benefit income, disability benefits, child support, etc.)
- Information about your current housing situation.
6. Will I need a social security number to apply?
No. If the head of your household doesn't have a social security number, leave this box blank when you fill out your application, and KCHA will assign a unique ID number to your application instead. (This ID number will appear on your application when you are asked to review it, just prior to submission.) However, please note that at least one member of your household must have a valid social security number or green card number (A-number) to receive a voucher.
7. Who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen?
At least one member of your household must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. An eligible non-citizen includes anyone living in the U.S. under one of the following citizenship/immigration categories:
- Permanent resident status (green card holder)
- Temporary resident status (not including student visas)
- Granted refugee and/or asylum status by the Department of Homeland Security
- Granted conditional entry before April 1, 1980
- Lawfully present due to an exercise of discretion by the Attorney General for emergent reasons or reasons deemed strictly in the public interest
- Lawfully present due to the Attorney General withholding deportation due to a threat to life or freedom
8. I live in transitional housing. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. Because transitional housing is considered a time-limited program (there is a set date the family must be out of the unit), the family is not considered permanently housed and therefore is eligible.
9. I live in low-income public housing or am already on a voucher program. Am I eligible to apply?
Generally not. If you are currently in public housing or already on a voucher program, you will not be eligible for the waiting list unless you can document you are unable to stay in your current housing due to domestic violence, unit safety and/or inaccessibility, hate crime(s), government intervention and/or natural disaster. If you are currently housed through public housing or a voucher program and are not sure if you are eligible to apply for this program, please call (206) 214-1300.
10. Do I have to live in King County to be eligible to apply for the waiting list?
No. However, if you do not currently live in the King County Housing Authority jurisdiction, you will be required to live here for the first year of program participation.
11. Can my family submit more than one application?
No. Only one application per family will be allowed.
12. How do I know if my application went through?
At the end of the online application, you will receive a confirmation number. This number confirms your application has been received. Please save a copy of the number for future reference in case any questions arise regarding your application.
13. How do I contact KCHA if I’m having problems with the application?
You can call the Section 8 office at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. Because we are expecting high volumes of phone calls during the application period, please be patient. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
14. Does my application date/time change my chances of receiving a spot on the waiting list?
Placement on the waiting list will be determined by random lottery after the close of the application period. Because KCHA uses a random lottery system, the date/time you apply during the application period does not change your chances of receiving a place on the waiting list in any way.
15. I need help filling out the application form. What do I do?
If you have difficulty with the application process, please contact our office at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. A customer service member will then help you with the application process. Please note: We expect a high volume of calls during the first couple of days of the application period, so application assistance may be delayed until the middle of the application period. This will not affect your placement on the list, because application date and time do not change your chance of receiving a spot on the waiting list.
16. I believe I have a disability. What is your definition of a disabled person?
In general, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that limits the ability to engage in any major life activity and that:
- Is expected to result in death
- Or is to be of long, continued and indefinite duration and substantially impedes that person's ability to live independently
- Or for a blind person at least 55 years old, impedes their ability to engage in any substantial gainful activities comparable to those in which the person was previously engaged.
17. I have a disability and need assistance completing the application. Is there someone who will assist me?
Yes, the Housing Authority will have staff available to assist anyone who needs assistance completing an application by calling (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours. Because we are expecting high volumes of phone calls during the application period, please be patient. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.
18. What if I'm pregnant or trying to secure legal custody of a dependent?
If you're a single pregnant woman without other children, or are trying to secure legal custody of a dependent, you may still apply. To ensure that your application is processed correctly, make sure you check "Yes" to the question that asks if you have a child under the age of 18. Please call (206) 214-1300 if you have questions about this requirement.
19. Will the application be available in languages other than English?
No, the application will only be available in English. However, if you need assistance in completing the application and you speak a language other than English, please contact the Section 8 office during the application period at (206) 214-1300 during normal business hours and we will arrange for assistance in your language.
20. The application form is running slowly. What do I do?
We are expecting a large number of applicants during the first days opening. Therefore, the application form may run slower due to heavy traffic. Please note: Applying early will not improve your chances of being selected for the lottery, because all households will have the same chance of being selected for the lottery regardless of when they apply during the application period. If the application is slow, please contact KCHA at (206) 214-1300 and we will check into the problem as soon as possible.
21. If I fill out the online-only application form, does this mean I will receive housing assistance?
No. The application will just give you a chance to be placed in the pool of applicants that will be used to select the list of 3,500 households that will be placed on the waiting list. We’ll send you a confirmation letter letting you know whether your household was selected for the list of 3,500 households, and, if so, your household’s position on the list. For that reason, it is important that you keep us informed of any change in your contact information (including phone number and mailing address).
22. When will I find out if I’ve been placed on the waiting list?
You will receive a letter from KCHA stating whether or not you were selected to be on the new waiting list. Notification will be sent by email (if provided) or US postal mail (if no email address is given) no later than May 31, 2017. You may also check our website for updates on the selection process. Please contact us if you do not receive an email or letter by May 31, 2017.
23. Why are you using a lottery to determine positions on the waiting list? Wouldn’t it be fairer if the list were first-come, first-served?
We feel the lottery is the fairest way to give everyone an equal chance of receiving placement on the waiting list.
24. Could the application period close before Apr. 18?
Our application period will not close early for any reason. It will remain open from Apr. 5 at 12:01 a.m. until Apr. 18th at 4:00 p.m.
25. How many total applications for the lottery will be accepted?
There is no limit to the number of applications we will accept. Everyone who wants to apply may do so, as long as they are eligible.
26. Are there other housing options available?
If you would like information about other housing assistance programs, please call 2-1-1 or visit our resources page to learn about other possible resources.
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