How to Apply for Section 8 in Kansas

Raven Property Management KC • November 28, 2025

What Section 8 Housing Is and How the Kansas Section 8 Program Works

     The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8, is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities in securing decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Many residents begin their search by looking up how to apply for Section 8 in Kansas, since the program allows participants to use a voucher to find their own housing—whether a single-family home, townhouse, or apartment—that meets program requirements.

Unlike traditional public housing where residents live in government-owned buildings, Section 8 gives families the freedom to choose any qualifying rental unit, offering far more flexibility and access to better neighborhoods.

In Kansas, this program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) but administered locally through a network of Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). This means that while HUD provides the funding, the local PHAs manage the day-to-day operations—processing applications, conducting inspections, and issuing payments to landlords. Cities such as Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City, KS, along with various county-level agencies across the state, each oversee their own Section 8 waitlists and approval processes.

     The program works by paying a housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Typically, a family will pay about 30% of their monthly adjusted gross income toward rent and utilities.

     However, because funding is limited and the need for affordable housing in Kansas is high, this is not an immediate emergency assistance program. Most PHAs in Kansas have waitlists that can be quite long, sometimes staying closed for years at a time. When a waitlist does open, the demand often exceeds the supply of available vouchers, leading many agencies to use a lottery system to determine placement on the list. Understanding that this is a long-term process, rather than a quick fix, is the first step in successfully navigating the system.

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Check Your Eligibility for Section 8 in Kansas

     Before you spend time filling out applications, it is crucial to understand if your household meets the strict eligibility criteria set by HUD and enforced by local Kansas housing authorities. Eligibility is primarily based on your total annual gross income, family size, and citizenship status.

Income Limits by Kansas County and Household Size

     The most significant factor for eligibility is your household income. In general, your family's income cannot exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the county or metropolitan area where you choose to live. However, because the demand is so high, federal law requires that PHAs reserve 75% of their vouchers for applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the AMI (Extremely Low Income).

These limits vary widely across the state. Urban areas like Kansas City and Lawrence typically have higher income limits than rural counties.

2025 Income Limit Examples (1-Person Household):

  • Kansas City Metro (Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth counties):
  • 30% Limit: $23,400
  • 50% Limit: $39,000
  • Wichita:
  • 30% Limit: $19,750
  • 50% Limit: $32,850
  • Topeka:
  • 30% Limit: $20,050
  • 50% Limit: $33,400
  • Lawrence (Douglas County):
  • 30% Limit: $21,750
  • 50% Limit: $36,250
  • Manhattan:
  • 30% Limit: $18,900
  • 50% Limit: $31,500

Note: Income limits increase for larger families. For example, a 4-person family in the Kansas City area has a 50% income limit of $55,700.

Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status

     To qualify for Section 8 assistance in Kansas, you must be a U.S. citizen or fall into a specified category of non-citizens with eligible immigration status.

  • You will be required to sign a declaration of citizenship or eligible status for all family members.
  • Documentation such as a Permanent Resident Card, passport, or other USCIS documents will be required for verification.

Background Checks and Rental History Considerations

     Kansas PHAs conduct rigorous screening of all adult household members. While a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, certain offenses will.

  • Mandatory Bans: You will be permanently denied if you are subject to a lifetime sex offender registration or have been convicted of producing methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
  • Recent Criminal Activity: Many agencies, such as the Housing Authority of Kansas City, look for a history free of violent or drug-related charges for a specific period (e.g., the last 3 years).
  • PHA Debt & Evictions: If you currently owe money to any housing authority or were evicted from a federally funded program in the last 3 to 5 years, your application will likely be rejected until the debt is paid.

Required Documents to Gather

     When you reach the top of the waitlist or attend an eligibility interview, you must provide original documents to verify your information. It is best to gather these early to avoid delays:

  • Identification: Valid driver’s license or state photo ID for all adults.
  • Social Security Cards: Original cards for every household member (adults and children).
  • Birth Certificates: For all household members to verify age and citizenship.
  • Proof of Income: Pay stubs (typically for the last 60-90 days), Social Security award letters, child support printouts, or unemployment benefit statements.
  • Bank Statements: Recent statements (often the past 3 months) to verify assets.

Find Your Local Kansas Public Housing Authority for Section 8 Applications

     A common misconception is that you can submit a single "Kansas Section 8 application" to cover the entire state. In reality, the Section 8 program is decentralized. To receive a voucher, you must apply directly to the Public Housing Authority (PHA) that has jurisdiction over the specific city or county where you want to live.

How to Find the Correct PHA

     If you live in a major city like Wichita or Topeka, you will apply to that city's specific housing authority. If you live in a smaller town or rural area, you will typically apply through a county-level agency or a regional provider like the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

     It is possible—and often recommended—to apply to multiple PHAs at once to increase your chances of being selected, provided you are willing to move to that PHA's jurisdiction when you receive the voucher.

Major Kansas PHAs and Contact Information

Below are the direct contacts for the largest housing authorities in the state. Always verify their current waitlist status before applying, as many close their lists when demand is too high.

  • Wichita Housing Authority (WHA)
  • Serves: Wichita, Harvey County (excluding Newton), and Butler County.
  • Contact: (316) 462-3700 | S8@wichita.gov
  • Website: Wichita.gov Housing Section
  • Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority (KCKHA)
  • Serves: Kansas City, KS and Wyandotte County.
  • Contact: (913) 281-3300 | hcv@kckha.org
  • Office: 1124 N. 9th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101
  • Topeka Housing Authority (THA)
  • Serves: The City of Topeka and surrounding Shawnee County areas.
  • Contact: (785) 357-8842 | info@tha.gov
  • Website: THA.gov
  • Johnson County Housing Authority
  • Serves: All of Johnson County excluding the City of Olathe.
  • Contact: (913) 715-6600 | housingservices@jocogov.org
  • Office: Lenexa, KS
  • Olathe Housing Authority
  • Serves: Specifically the City of Olathe.
  • Contact: (913) 971-6260
  • Office: 17200 W. 119th St., Bldg. 2, Olathe, KS 66061
  • Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority (LDCHA)
  • Serves: Lawrence and Douglas County.
  • Contact: (785) 842-8110 | housing@ldcha.org
  • Website: LDCHA.org
  • Manhattan Housing Authority
  • Serves: Manhattan and surrounding Riley/Pottawatomie areas.
  • Contact: (785) 776-8588
  • Office: 300 N. 5th Street, Manhattan, KS 66502

How to Know When Waitlists Are Open

Most Section 8 waitlists in Kansas are closed due to high demand, meaning you cannot currently apply. You must actively monitor them to know when they reopen.

  • Check Public Notices: PHAs are required to publish a public notice in local newspapers and on their websites before opening a waitlist.
  • Use Online Portals: Many agencies, such as Wichita and Olathe, use online platforms like Waitlistcheck or Bob.ai where you can check your status.
  • Sign Up for Alerts: If the PHA website offers an email newsletter or notification system, sign up immediately. Openings are often brief—sometimes lasting only a few days or weeks.

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