King County Housing Authority
Building self‐sufficiency.
Solving regional housing needs.
One community at a time.
KCHA works neighborhood by neighborhood to find innovative and sustainable solutions that address the region’s housing needs.
Connecting residents with the housing and services they need
Every night, KCHA ensures that more than 18,000 families have a place to call home. We’re a vital resource not only for the area’s most vulnerable families but also for the many suburban jurisdictions in which they live. In partnership with a host of local governments and nonprofit organizations, we act to preserve and expand King County’s affordable housing supply and strengthen the communities in which it is located.
King County has virtually no private market rental units affordable to the nearly 75,000 households with very low incomes. That’s why our flagship Public Housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs provide such a critical safety net for the most at‐risk populations living in the area’s 23 suburban cities and unincorporated King County. Serving those with the greatest need is our primary mission, and KCHA’s programs extend assistance to a broad mix of community members. Homeless families, seniors, people living with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, the working poor, and moderate‐income families all benefit from KCHA housing and services.
Because we serve such a wide range of populations, we work with a broad coalition of local, regional and federal partners – including nonprofit service providers, local governments, resident and neighborhood groups, private sector businesses, school districts, and community colleges – to provide a variety of services. These partnerships help us turn housing developments into thriving communities and economically disadvantaged families into self‐sufficient ones. These services also give our elderly and disabled residents the support they need to live independently for as long as possible.
Revitalizing local communities, transforming neighborhoods
Our efforts extend far beyond improving the quality of affordable housing across King County. At Greenbridge, a new, mixed‐income community in White Center, we consulted with many community, public, and private partners to produce a blueprint to revitalize King County’s poorest area. When complete, the redevelopment will include extensive parks, trails, expanded childcare, remodeled youth and family support facilities, a branch library, and a YWCA center.
Less than a mile away, we’re investing in a second White Center neighborhood. Our redevelopment at Park Lake Homes II will mean opportunities for diverse households with a mix of incomes to enjoy supportive services in new community spaces as well as new housing, parks, trails, and other public amenities.
In Kent, renovations to Birch Creek Apartments – our largest family housing community – will improve both the development’s appeal and its quality. The project also will expand and enhance open spaces throughout the neighborhood, creating new places for children’s play, teen activities, family recreation, and more. Two beautiful new on‐site community facilities offer a variety of programs such as Head Start, a Women, Infants and Children clinic, a career development center, and youth activities.
Building a sustainable future
KCHA uses environmentally friendly business practices that will protect and improve the planet, the economy, and human health for current and future generations. We strive to integrate environmental considerations into almost everything we do. We make conscious decisions about what we buy, how to reduce waste, how to design and construct buildings sustainably, and how to conduct daily operations. Those efforts not only reduce our expenses – saving precious taxpayer dollars – but also ensure that our housing stock will be sustainable for many years to come.
Every year, the Housing Authority provides home repair and weatherization assistance for hundreds of low‐income homeowners in the region, helping to ensure that their homes are both safe and energy efficient.
Doing essential work extremely well
KCHA consistently rates among the best housing authorities in the country. We have earned many regional and national awards honoring the excellence of our work.
Some of our award‐winning projects include: The Village at Overlake Station, a 308‐unit transit‐oriented development for working families in Redmond; the LEED Silver‐certified Springwood Youth Center in Kent; and the Greenbridge development in White Center, which is being constructed according to Built Green™ principles.
Our developments are as appealing as any market‐rate property in King County, demonstrating our commitment to providing quality, affordable housing.
In fact, our subsidized properties are so attractive that they often blend unnoticed into the surrounding community.
We’ve also developed effective programs that use creative approaches to assist people with multiple barriers to housing. Our South King County Housing First Pilot Program successfully houses chronically homeless individuals by linking them to intensive supportive services, such as mental health and chemical dependency treatment. Our Housing Access and Services Program – the largest of its kind in the country – meets the specialized needs of people with disabilities, providing everything from veterans’ services to AIDS housing programs.
Turning a mission into reality
Our employees are part of an engaged team that works together every day to achieve a shared goal: helping to meet the needs of more than 45,000 residents who earn less than the county’s median income, including elderly and disabled households and families with children.
KCHA features a variety of career opportunities in locations throughout King County. Our workforce of about 300 employees comprises not only resident support and property management fields, but also positions ranging from accountants to maintenance workers and from construction project managers to housing inspectors.
We care deeply about our employees and offer excellent benefits. Our comprehensive offerings include medical, dental, vision, vacation, pension, a voluntary retirement savings plan, tuition fee reimbursement, annual flu shots, and more, in addition to a positive corporate culture and a commitment to a diverse workplace.
Fostering innovation
Our work stretches beyond the traditional role of housing authorities, positioning KCHA as unique in the nation. We are an active developer, with over 800 units in planning or construction.
We play a vital role in assisting both local government and private market efforts to assure that our poorest households have decent, affordable places to live. In our work to protect this growing region’s environment and quality of life, we develop housing and settlement patterns that are sustainable over the long term.
Diminishing federal support for our programs coupled with growing local demand for affordable housing continually challenge our ability to fulfill our commitment to King County’s most vulnerable populations.
However, to minimize the threat posed by decreased funding, we find innovative ways to strengthen our balance sheet even as we serve more households.
When federal funding cuts slowed a KCHA initiative to equip our full portfolio of 22 senior/disabled buildings with up‐to‐date fire and life safety systems, we sought a way to accelerate the project. Through a complex transaction that involved a combination of public and private funding sources, we kept our commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of safety and well‐being for residents. It’s that kind of innovation that makes us cutting edge.
By employing sophisticated financial tools in innovative ways, using natural resources wisely, and increasing our operational efficiency, we continue to expand and improve the services we deliver to King County residents.
Mission
KCHA provides quality affordable housing opportunities and builds communities through partnerships. We encourage self‐sufficiency, and we protect the dignity of people with limited resources while safeguarding the public trust.
If you want to learn more about applying for one of our housing programs or about employment or contracting opportunities with KCHA, please contact us.
Central Administrative Office
600 Andover Park W.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Tel: 206.574.1100
Fax: 206.574.1104
TDD: 800.833.6388
Public Housing
Tel: 206.574.1248
Fax: 206.574.1241
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
Tel: 206.214.1300
Fax: 206.243.5927