Federal Funding & Policy

KCHA is not a federal agency, but we receive federal funding through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding is determined by the US Congress.

2026 Federal Budget

On February 2, 2026, Congress passed a budget that includes funding for HUD’s housing programs through September 2026, which is the end of the federal fiscal year.

This year’s HUD funding package includes $77.3 billion for HUD programs in all 50 states and US territories, an increase from last year. KCHA uses our share of federal funding to operate many of the housing programs found on this website. 

The president’s proposals for work requirements and time limits for housing assistance were not included in the HUD funding bill. Instead, HUD is proposing a rule that would allow, but not require, any Housing Authority to implement work requirements and time limits. Whether to put these restrictions in place would be determined by each local Housing Authority. At this time, KCHA is not planning to implement new work requirements or new time limits.

However, people should be aware that there are new work and eligibility requirements for Medicaid and Apple Health. Check your eligibility with the WA Health Care Authority.

Other programs that affect KCHA clients were funded in separate bills passed in November 2025. Under those agreements:

• SNAP food benefits are funded through September 2026, however, there were budget cuts and changes to SNAP in a previous law signed by President Trump.
• Veterans’ programs are funded through September 2026.

Congress is now moving on to consider the budget for 2027 and other laws. In the future, if there is another federal shutdown, KCHA will continue to operate with regular hours and operations and will post updates here.

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)

EHVs were provided to people who were experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. EHVs were paid for by temporary American Rescue Plan funds. KCHA currently serves about 540 households with these vouchers.

In March 2025, HUD told KCHA that federal funding for EHVs will run out in 2026 instead of in 2030. Because federal funding will run out, KCHA will no longer have funding for EHVs at the end of 2026. KCHA's goal is to keep people housed, and prevent returns to homelessness, even though the federal funding is running out. 

KCHA is working directly with people who have EHVs to explore options for contiunued housing assistance. If you have an EHV through KCHA, please contact your housing specialist.  

Citizenship Status & Housing Eligibility

Under federal law, individuals without US citizenship or eligible immigration status cannot receive housing assistance through programs like Housing Choice Vouchers and Public Housing.

HUD’s long-standing “mixed status rule” allows families with both eligible and ineligible members to live together in assisted housing by providing reduced (prorated) assistance based only on the eligible members, instead of denying assistance for the entire household. 

You may have heard about a proposal by the federal government, published Feb. 19, 2026, to change the way housing assistance is provided to mixed status households. The proposed rule would require a new verification of citizenship for all members of a household. 

It is important to know that this is a proposed rule that must go through a legal process before it can be applied. This process will take several months, and the rule might change. Any member of the public can submit comments in response to the rule, and the deadline for comments is April 21, 2026. 

For now, the rules continue to allow households with mixed immigation status to receive prorated assistance.

Households with mixed immigration statuses who believe they might be affected should seek advice from an immigration attorney or qualified non-profit agency. Local resources include the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, the NW Immigrant Rights Project, and King County Libraries Welcoming Centers.

What Does Housing Assistance Mean to You?

We want to hear from you!

Email media@kcha.org to share your story of how housing stability and the services KCHA provides have helped you, and what having a home means for you and your family. We might use your story on social media or to help advocate for federal funding.

You can call your congressional representatives at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support full funding for housing programs. You can also look up contact information for your elected officials at www.usa.gov/elected-officials.