How to Apply
Qualifications
Persons over the age of 50, disabled head of household, and households with four or more members.
Housing Choice Voucher waiting list will be closing on Monday, December 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
Already applied?
Check the automated phone system to confirm your application is still active.
P: (316) 462-3700
Address change?
You are required to notify the program in writing of address changes. You must come in person or mail to:
455 N Main, 10th Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
Need more information?
Call the Housing Choice Voucher Office.
P: (316) 462-3700
8:00am - 5pm (M-F)
The Wichita Housing Authority (WHA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is designed to help income-eligible families pay their rent to private landlords. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the rules and regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Income eligibility is determined using current 2018 Federal Adjusted Income Limits. The HCV Program provides families a choice in determining any type of dwelling unit as long as it meets certain requirements for rent limits, rent reasonableness and Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Persons determined eligible for the program may rent a HCV dwelling unit of their choice within the Wichita City limits. The landlord retains private property rights, including management, tenant selection, and maintenance.
Participants pay approximately 30 percent of their adjusted income directly to the landlord. WHA subsidizes the balance of the rent. The WHA currently administers over 2,500 vouchers, with a value of approximately $12M.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The Wichita Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its federally assisted programs or activities.
Current Clients
Searching for a New Home that Accepts HCVs
If you are searching for a new home that accepts Housing Choice Vouchers, the Housing Authority has partnered with GoSection8 to provide an enhanced program to list rental properties online. Listings are available to Housing Choice Vouchers seeking apartment units, duplexes, single-family homes or townhomes in the private market.
Search the GoSection8 rental listing
If you are interested in one of these units, please contact the landlord. When visiting the unit, be sure to take your voucher with you to verify the landlord that you are a Housing Choice Voucher client searching for housing. You and the landlord must complete the Request for Tenancy form that was provided to you with your voucher before we will inspect the unit for Housing Quality Standards. The form should be submitted to the Housing & Community Services Department, Housing Choice Voucher Office, 455 N Main, 10th Floor, Wichita, KS 67202, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. All questions should be directed to (316) 462-3700.
Request an Inspection Extension
If you want to request an extension of an inspection, you must complete the Inspection Extension Request for Client-Landlord form and either submit online or fax to (316) 337-9103. Request must be submitted (7) seven days prior to the scheduled inspection.
Inspection Extension Request for Client-Landlord
Applying for Homeownership Program
If you are considering applying for the Homeownership Program, please download the HCV Homeownership Program and HCV Homeownership Application to read more about the program and to print out an application.
HCV Homeownership Program HCV Homeownership Application
Special Programs
Special programs are offered to participants who want to have and enjoy a better quality of life for themselves and their families. These programs include the following:
The FSS program staff works with community agencies to help clients acquire the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage, and reach their self-sufficiency goals.
Learn more about FSS
Participants are allowed to use HCVs toward mortgage payments. Clients must attend homeowner training and be able to secure a mortgage loan from mortgage lender in order to utilize this program.
HCVs are provided to non-elderly persons who have disabilities to assist them in renting affordable, private housing which accommodates their particular needs.
VASH and HCV program provide rental assistance, case management and clinical services to homeless veterans through the Wichita Housing Authority and the Veterans Administration.
Landlords
If you would like information on becoming a HCV landlord or if you have general questions, please review the information for Landlords fact sheet.
Current Landlords
If you are a current HCV landlord and are wanting to update rental information about your unit, change of address or phone number, or request extension of an inspection, please come into our office at 455 N Main, 10th Floor.
If you want to list your property, the Housing Authority has partnered with www.GoSection8.com, which provides an enhanced program to list rental properties online. Listings are available to potential HCV tenants seeking apartment units, duplexes, single-family homes, or townhomes in the private market. To update or add your rental listing by phone, please call GoSection8 toll free at (866) 466-7328.
Landlords - Add your rental property
It is recommended that landlords add photos to their listing for better advertising and faster lease up.
Inspection Extension Request for Client-Landlord Landlord Bulletin - July 2013
How to Become a Participating Landlord
When a family has been determined eligible for assistance, they will receive a Voucher (Form HUD-52646). Then they begin their search for a suitable unit. Landlords may list their properties with the HCV program by going to GoSection8.
A family contacts owner/landlord to express interest in a listed property. The owner/landlord should ask to see the Voucher and check the expiration date (found in upper right hand corner). If the date is current the applicant is eligible for assistance.
It is the responsibility of the owner/landlord to screen the family for suitability as a tenant. The Section 8 Office only verifies family income and composition. When the Section 8 Office receives the Request for Tenancy Approval (Form HUD-52517) the assumption will be made that the owner/landlord has screened and approved the applicant as a tenant.
After the owner/landlord approves the family, the family and landlord complete the Request for Tenancy Approval (Form HUD-52517) which the family should have. It must be completed in its entirety and signed. The Request for Tenancy Approval and the lease (if applicable) must be returned to the Section 8 office immediately. Section 8 staff will review the signed Request for Tenancy Approval and determine if the rent is affordable based on the family's income and if it is reasonable when compared to units in the private market (Rent Reasonableness).
Once Step 3 has been completed and the unit is determined affordable and meets Rent Reasonableness requirements, owner/landlord will receive a telephone call notifying them of the inspection date and time. The landlord must be present at the time of inspection.
If the unit does not meet HQS requirements, owner/landlord will receive a list of repairs and a certain amount of time to make the repairs before re-inspection.
If the unit passes inspection, the Section 8 office will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the owner/landlord and the family will enter into a lease with the owner/landlord. After the contract and lease have been executed, the family may move into the unit.
The Fiscal Services Division of the Section 8 HCV Office will begin process payments to the owner/landlord for the Section 8 portion of the rent. The Section 8 Office will prorate the first month's contract rent payment according to the effective date of HAP contract and make all other payments in a timely manner.
