About the King County Housing Authority
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Cascade Apartments in Kent
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Since its establishment in 1939, the King County Housing Authority has played a
key role in providing affordable housing options for the residents of King
County, Washington. Through partnerships with local communities and nonprofit
organizations, KCHA delivers affordable housing and related supportive services
such as education, job training and social services to more than 43,000 local
residents who earn less than the county median income. Our approach puts
independence and self-sufficiency well within the reach of most families,
usually within six years.
KCHA supports more than 18,000 households in housing dispersed among 23
suburban cities and the unincorporated areas of the county. King County –
the 14th most populous county in the nation – has a population of 1.9
million and covers a geographic area of 2,130 square miles.
High Performance
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has designated King County Housing Authority a "high performer" since it began evaluating housing authorities in 1992.
KCHA earned a perfect score on HUD's Public Housing Management Assessment Program (PHMAP) for four consecutive years, from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, HUD began using the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) to evaluate housing authorities, rating their performance in four areas: financial condition, resident services, management operations, and physical condition of the housing. KCHA has continued to maintain its "higher performer" status among large public housing authorities.
New Communities
KCHA is an active developer with over 600 units in planning or construction. In July 2011, KCHA welcomed residents home to 25 brand new rental units at Seola Gardens in White Center. The new community will have abundant educational opportunities for children within walking distance and plentiful recreational opportunities with play fields, a swimming center, a lake, a Frisbee golf course, and a park nearby. When completely built out, Seola Gardens will have 300 homes, new roads and utilities, as well as parks with public art, exercise stations, and community pea patches.
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Sixth Place Apts at Greenbridge, White Center |
Its neighbor to the north – Greenbridge is a beautiful new planned community that will provide 900 rental and for-sale homes for a mix of household incomes when complete. The community features parks and trails, schools, library, coffee shop, and a community center with views and vistas from many parts of the site. Renters interested in living here may contact Quantam Management at (206) 529-3230 and interested home buyers may call James Rooney at (206) 826-5303 for more information.
The $55 million revitalization of the Birch Creek Apartments, located in East Kent, was completed in 2010 and the transformation is dramatic. In place of the dingy, densely-packed and box-like buildings of the former Springwood Apartments stands a vibrant, new community with a central park, multiple outdoor recreation spaces, and cheerful, energy-efficient apartment homes with pitched roofs and patios. The redeveloped campus is bookended by two state-of-the-art community centers that serve the needs of Birch Creek families and the greater Kent community.
KCHA Portfolio
KCHA owns and manages nearly 3,500 units of federally subsidized housing for families, the elderly and people living with disabilities and 4,500 units of "workforce" housing, financed through tax credits and/or tax-exempt bonds. An additional 9,800 households are assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, which subsidizes families to rent housing on the private market. In partnership with local service agencies, KCHA provides about 130 units of emergency and transitional housing for homeless families and people with special needs. KCHA delivers housing repair and weatherization services to private low-income homeowners, mobile home owners, and landlords who rent to income-eligible tenants living in King County. The Authority also provides tax-exempt financing to other affordable housing developers.
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The Village at Overlake Station in Redmond |
Independent Municipal Corporation
The Housing Authority is an independent municipal corporation established under Washington state law. A five-member volunteer Board of Commissioners appointed by the King County Executive and approved by the Metropolitan King County Council governs KCHA.
The Authority receives no operating funds from Washington state, King County or the region's suburban jurisdictions. Operating costs are covered by rents charged to tenants and direct support from the federal government.
Commitment to Sustainability
KCHA is committed to environmental sustainability. We are currently implementing
an Authority-wide strategic plan to employ more environmentally appropriate
approaches to purchasing, operations, construction, waste generation and energy
and water utilization.
Executive Summary of the Sustainability Report (pdf)
Executive Summary of the Sustainability Report (html)
To learn more about KCHA, download copies of our newest brochures, our latest financial statements, and most recent annual report:
In 2009, KCHA received $28.4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Our Stimulating The Local Economy Brochure (pdf) showcases how the money is being invested in our communities.
KCHA: At a Glance (brochure) (pdf)
KCHA: At a Glance (brochure) - Narrative Only (html)
FY 2010 Audit of KCHA Financial Statements (pdf)
FY 2010 Accountability Audit Report (pdf)
FY 2009 Audit of KCHA Financial Statements (pdf)
FY 2009 Accountability Audit Report (pdf)
KCHA 2004 Annual Report (pdf)
KCHA 2004 Annual Report (html)
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