Rental Assistance Demonstration Project
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) is a program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that gives public housing authorities like KCHA new flexibility to preserve and improve public housing properties.
KCHA is applying to HUD for specific subsidized housing properties to participate in the RAD program. If KCHA's properties are accepted into the program, then we will start a “RAD conversion.”
So far, six properties have been accepted bu HUD in KCHA’s first application for a RAD conversion: Briarwood, Lake House, Munro Manor, Riverton Terrace II, Yardley Arms, and Brittany Park.
KCHA will be submitting a second application for RAD conversion, which will include Boulevard Manor, Firwood Circle, Burndale Homes, Southridge House, Valli Kee, and Paramount House. KCHA's third application will include Casa Juanita, College Place, Forest Glen, Northlake House, and Westminster Manor.
A property that has a RAD conversion will change its funding for rental assistance from traditional public housing to a Section 8 project-based voucher. A project-based voucher is connected to a specific unit, like the one you already live in. Residents will automatically be eligible for project-based vouchers and will stay in their current units. Residents will have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback before any changes occur at their property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary of questions and answers from resident meetings (PDF)
Why is KCHA doing a RAD conversion?
A RAD conversion changes the funding for RAD converted properties from public housing to Project-based Section 8. Congress has consistently funded public housing at lower rates than Section 8. This makes it difficult for KCHA to maintain quality housing for residents. While Congress can make different choices in the future, we expect that Section 8 will continue to have more stable and sufficient funding than public housing. Converting these properties to project-based Section 8 allows us to take advantage of stabler, better funding.
RAD conversion provides more flexible and stable funding for KCHA’s housing and allows us to better care for our properties.
Can I stay in my apartment?
Yes. If KCHA converts your building under RAD, you can stay in your current unit, and you will continue to get rental assistance.
The RAD conversion is a federal funding change and will not change your experience of living in a KCHA property.
Will I have to pay more for rent?
The rent you pay under RAD will be calculated in the same way as it is under the public housing program, based on your adjusted annual income.
KCHA expects that rent will stay the same for most residents. A rent study we did for the first six properties showed that only one household would see their rent increase, and it increased by one dollar.
Will a RAD conversion affect my housing assistance?
You will keep your housing assistance, but the federal funding source of that assistance will change. The funding for your housing assistance will change from public housing to a Section 8 Project Based Voucher, but this will not change your experience of living in a KCHA property.
You will not need to be re-screened and there are no additional eligibility requirements: With this RAD conversion, you will be eligible for housing assistance regardless of your current income.
Do I have to move?
No. You do not have to move.
Before a building is accepted into the RAD program, it must be inspected by a HUD-certified building inspector. If the inspector finds anything that needs to be fixed which requires you to temporarily move out of your unit, we will let you know in advance, and you will have the right to return to the same unit. KCHA will pay for any relocation costs, as well as for your temporary housing.
Because KCHA keeps its buildings in good repair, we don’t anticipate such temporary moves will be necessary due to the RAD conversion.
Will KCHA staff change at my building?
No. Your property management team and maintenance team will remain the same.
Will KCHA still own the properties?
Yes.
Can I keep my rental assistance and move in the future?
Yes. As part of the RAD conversion, you must sign a new lease for your current unit. After a 12-month period, you have the option to request a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) that can be used to rent in the private market anywhere in the United States that accepts tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers.
If you request a Housing Choice Voucher, you may not get it right away, but you will be at the top of the waiting list.
What are Section 8 Vouchers?
In the Section 8 program, tenants pay a portion of their rent, based on a percentage of their income. The voucher pays the difference between the tenant portion of the rent and the total rent for the unit.
There are two kinds of Section 8 vouchers: tenant-based and project-based. A tenant-based voucher stays with the tenant; a project-based voucher stays with the unit (and functions much like public housing).
When will the RAD conversion happen?
First HUD has to approve KCHA’s application. After the application is approved, most conversions take between 6 to 18 months to complete. Our goal is to complete the conversion of each group of properties by the dates below:
- Briarwood, Lake House, Munro Manor, Riverton Terrace II, Yardley Arms, and Brittany Park: December 2026
- Boulevard Manor, Firwood Circle, Burndale Homes, Southridge House, Valli Kee, and Paramount House: To Be Determined
- Casa Juanita, College Place, Forest Glen, Northlake House, and Westminster Manor: To Be Determined
If the second and third groups of properties are approved by HUD, then KCHA will hold resident meetings about the conversions.
Can I participate in the RAD planning process?
Yes. KCHA is required to notify all residents at the property about the RAD plans and hold at least two meetings with residents before KCHA can apply for RAD conversion. These meetings are an opportunity for you to:
- Learn more about the proposed RAD conversion plans
- Ask KCHA questions about the plans
- Tell KCHA what could be repaired at your property and where there are opportunities for improvements.
- KCHA will consider this information when developing plans for your property.
We will meet again with all residents of a property before HUD approves the final RAD conversion to keep you informed and let you comment on the plans for your property.
Resident Meetings
Webinar: Thursday, May 1st, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
https://kcha-org.zoom.us/j/86894956493
Zoom Webinar ID: 868 9495 6493
Webinar information (PDF format): English, አማርኛ, Bosanski, 中文, فارسی, ខ្មែរ, 한국어, Polski, Русский, Soomaali, Español, ትግርኛ, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Briarwood: Friday, April 18th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
18026 Midvale Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Lake House: Friday, April 18th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1313 N. 200th St., Shoreline, WA 98133
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Munro Manor: Wednesday, April 16th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
630 S. 152nd St., Burien, WA 98148
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Riverton Terrace II: Wednesday, April 16th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
14440 41st Ave. S., Tukwila, WA 98168
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Yardley Arms: Tuesday, April 15th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1000 SW 130th St., Burien, WA 98146
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Brittany Park: Monday, April 14th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
18265 1st Ave. S., Normandy Park, WA 98148
Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Information Notices
KCHA's information notices and frequently asked questions are available in PDF format in seven languages.
Briarwood: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Brittany Park: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Lake House: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Munro Manor: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Riverton Terrace II: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Yardley Arms: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
Frequently asked questions: English, 한국어, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Українська, Tiếng Việt
More Information
If you have questions about the changes, contact your property management office.
We will mail you more information about RAD and future meetings in the coming months.