Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Kansas
Kansas has 102 housing authorities managing a combined 342 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 171 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 50%. This data was last verified on Aug 30, 2026.
Kansas offers a range of affordable housing assistance programs managed by 102 housing authorities, overseeing 293 waiting lists across the state. Currently, 143 of these lists are open to new applicants, representing a 49% open rate, while 102 lists are closed. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) serves as the state housing agency, providing resources and oversight. It is important to note that many Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in Kansas serve multiple rural counties under a single umbrella agency, so applicants should research local agencies' full service areas.
Key programs available include Public Housing, with 102 lists and 78 currently open for applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 101 lists, with 22 of them open. Other programs like Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) offer 14 lists with 4 open, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) has 10 lists with 2 open. Specialized assistance programs, often with more limited availability, include Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Homeownership Programs, various Homeless Programs (ESG/CoC), Security Deposit Assistance, USDA/Rural Development initiatives, and Senior Housing options such as those at Delmar Place or Clinton Place Apartments. For example, Mainstream programs currently have 8 lists but 0 open.
Applicants seeking housing assistance should strategically target areas with more open opportunities. Dodge City currently has 7 open lists, Girard has 3 open lists, Augusta has 3 open lists, and Hill City has 2 open lists across their respective housing authorities. Major metropolitan areas include Kansas City (KS side) and Wichita, where local housing authorities manage various programs. Program statuses can change; for instance, the Stafford Housing Authority recently changed its HCV list from closed to open, while St. Francis Housing Authority's HCV list is now closed. Nek-Cap, Inc. in Hiawatha also recently changed its CoC list from unknown to open, illustrating the dynamic nature of waitlist availability. Regularly checking for updates is crucial for successful application.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in Kansas include Public Housing (75 open), Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (28 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (7 open), RAD (2 open), Mainstream, VASH (1 open). Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Kansas right now are Hiawatha (26), Liberal (8), Dodge City (6), Lawrence (6), and Ottawa (6) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Ellis County Housing Authority — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for Kansas
To qualify for assistance in Kansas, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Kansas legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.