Housing Choice Voucher Tenants
Your Housing Choice Voucher, also known as Section 8, helps you rent a home on the private market at a price you can afford. In this part of our website you can learn:
- How to use your voucher for the first time.
- How to report family and income changes if you already have a voucher.
- How to move to a new home with your voucher.
- Your responsibilities as a tenant—both to your landlord and to KCHA.
- Information about the voucher recertification and housing inspection processes.
If you are not a voucher-holder and still need housing, go to Find a Home.
If a landlord refuses to accept your voucher, that could be "source of income discrimination," which is illegal in Washington State. If you believe you are experiencing source of income discrimination or any other type of housing discrimination, please contact the King County Office of Civil Rights.
Rent Increase - Tenant & Resident Opportunity to Comment
KCHA is planning to change the calculation of the tenant portion of rent (“Total Tenant Payment” or TTP). The result is that you will pay slightly more in rent. This change will help protect housing for all KCHA-assisted households.
The rent increase was presented to the KCHA Resident Advisory Committee (RAC) on August 12, 2025 (click here to view the presentation). The KCHA Board will vote on this change at their public meeting on September 15, 2025.
KCHA residents and HCV tenants can provide feedback and comments by email to ttpcomment@kcha.org through September 12, 2025, or during the September 15 Board meeting in person or on Zoom. Information on how to join a Board meeting is at www.kcha.org/about/board.
How much will my rent increase?
Your portion of rent is calculated as a percentage of your income, and it will increase from around 28% to around 31% of your income.
- Households on EASY Rent will pay 30.7% of their income.
- Households on WIN Rent will pay up to 31% according to their income band.
Your specific dollar amount depends on your income and your personal circumstances, including your income.
When will my rent increase?
KCHA will send you the new dollar amount for your portion of the rent at least 30 days before the change.
The notice will be sent with your regular 2026 recertification, or on the anniversary of the date that you were last certified, or when you move or sign a new lease.
All rent increases will be completed by the end of 2026.
Learn more in the FAQ for Residents and Tenants.