Public Records Requests

In Washington state, public records are governed by the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) which pertains to all records prepared, owned, used, or retained by public entities and contain information related to the conduct of government or the performance of a government function. The King County Housing Authority provides records in compliance with all applicable laws to promote agency transparency and accountability.

To request copies of public records, please use KCHA’s Public Records Request Portal.

Submit a Request

If you prefer to make a request by letter, fax, email, or in person, please print KCHA’s Public Records Request Form (PDF) and fill it out as completely as possible. You may deliver the request form to the Main Office location (below) during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or send it to:

Public Records Officer
600 Andover Park West
Tukwila, WA 98188
Fax: (206) 574-1104

If a request is submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person, the request will be entered into the Public Records Request tracking platform. Once entered, requests can be tracked through the Public Records Request Portal.

What to Expect After You Submit a Request

After entering a request into the Public Records Request Portal, you will receive an auto-generated email acknowledging that the request has been received and assigned a tracking number.

Within 5 business days of receiving your request, KCHA will respond to communicate one of the following:

• The requested records are available for download through the Public Records Request Portal.
• The requested records are available for viewing and copying during normal business hours.
• The requested records are publicly available on KCHA’s website, and the location where they can be found.
• The request has been received, and a reasonable estimate of time when the records will be made available.
• The requested records are available for pick-up from KCHA’s Main Office location in Tukwila upon receipt of payment for fees associated with your request.
• The requested records are ready to be mailed by U.S.P.S. Certified Mail or other secure method of your choice to the address provided upon receipt of payment for fees, including mailing cost.
• The request is unclear and clarification is needed to process the request. (KCHA will proceed with responding to all clear portions of your request while awaiting the requested clarification.)
• The request has been denied, and a citation of the applicable legal exemption. For more information about request denials, see KCHA’s full Public Records Disclosure Policy (PDF).

For a request received after 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, or on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the date of receipt by KCHA is the next business day following the submission. The date of receipt does not count as one of the 5 business days.

Public Records Request Response Process

KCHA’s Public Records Request Response Team exists to:

• Operate in compliance with Washington State’s Public Records Act and related regulations.
• Coordinate KCHA departments and offices to ensure an adequate search for all records responsive to your request.
• Process requests in a timely and efficient manner.
• Fulfill requests without excessively interfering with KCHA business.
• Protect public records from damage or disorganization.
• Manage the public records request process consistent with KCHA policy.

Records Exempt from Disclosure

Some records are exempt from disclosure, either in whole or in part, under the Public Records Act or other statutes. If only part of a record is exempt, KCHA will redact the exempt portions before providing it to you. Any redactions will be explained in writing.

KCHA will not disclose lists of individuals to be used for commercial purposes. If your request is for a listing of individual names such as employees or landlords, KCHA may require you to confirm that your request is not for the purpose of generating profit, revenue, or any other financial benefit.

The Washington State Legislature’s Office of the Code Reviser annually prepares a comprehensive list of public records exemptions available through the Attorney General’s Office Sunshine Committee. For more information about exemptions, see the Attorney General’s Guide to Exemptions.

View the list of legal exemptions (PDF) that may be used by KCHA other than those listed in the Public Records Act.

Viewing and Copying Records

If you wish to view and copy records in person, KCHA will make records available at the Main Office location in Tukwila by appointment during normal business hours. You may not disassemble, alter, or remove documents from the viewing area. You may take photos of the records as an alternative to requesting photocopies.

KCHA may charge a reasonable fee for providing paper or electronic copies of records, including the actual cost of mailing supplies and services. If the request requires information technology expertise or specialized services not used by the agency for other purposes, KCHA may charge a customized service fee. Charges are outlined in KCHA's Fee Schedule (PDF).

For large requests, KCHA may:

• Provide records in installments.
• Require a deposit before making copies.
• Require advance payment before providing additional installments.

Special Considerations

If you do not review or claim records within 15 after they are made available, or fail to make payment, KCHA will close your records request. If the records contain information that may affect the rights of others, KCHA may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties before providing the records. If, after a request is completed and closed, KCHA becomes aware of additional documents that existed at the time of the request, they will be provided to you on an expedited basis.

Please note that KCHA is not required to create documents to comply with requests for specific information. KCHA must only produce existing records for review and copying. KCHA is also not required to compile information from multiple records into a form that is more useful to you.

Public Records Policy

View KCHA's full public records disclosure policy (PDF).