Overview
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly called Section 8, is the federal government’s primary rental assistance program for very low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), it helps eligible households afford safe, decent housing in the private market by paying the difference between what a family can afford and the actual market rent.
For families navigating disability services in the Tri-Cities, housing is often one of the most pressing and least-talked-about challenges. Stable housing is foundational to everything else, employment, health, community participation — and the voucher program, for those who can access it, is one of the most meaningful supports available. This page explains how the program works, who qualifies, and where to apply in the Tri-Cities.
How It Works
Section 8 is a tenant-based voucher program. That means the assistance follows the person, not the property. Here’s the basic structure:
- A household applies to the local PHA and is placed on a waitlist
- When their name reaches the top, they complete a full eligibility review
- If approved, they receive a voucher and attend a required program briefing
- The household finds a private rental unit, an apartment, house, or townhome, that meets HUD’s housing quality standards and has a willing landlord
- The PHA pays a subsidy directly to the landlord each month; the household pays approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities
- The household can stay as long as they meet program requirements and keep the same voucher, or move to a new qualifying unit
The voucher holder is free to choose housing anywhere within the PHA’s jurisdiction — they are not limited to subsidized housing projects or specific complexes.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility is based on four main factors:
- Income — Households must have income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Tri-Cities. Most assistance goes to households at 30% AMI or below (extremely low income). At the time of final eligibility review, income limits apply.
- Citizenship/Immigration status — At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status
- Criminal background — All household members 18 and older must pass a criminal background check; prior negative history with federally assisted housing programs can affect eligibility
- Other HUD and PHA requirements — Each PHA has administrative policies that further define eligibility
People with disabilities are explicitly included as a priority population under the program. Several voucher types are specifically designed for households with disabilities (see below).
Voucher Types Available Locally
Beyond the standard tenant-based voucher, KHA administers several specialized vouchers:
- Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers — Vouchers specifically reserved for non-elderly households where the head, co-head, or spouse has a disability. These are a critical resource for working-age adults with disabilities who need housing assistance.
- Family Unification Program (FUP) — For families where lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in child welfare involvement, or for youth aging out of foster care. Referral-based; must be referred by a certified state agency.
- HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) — Combines Section 8 rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services for homeless veterans. Contact your VA Medical Center to ask about VASH vouchers.
- Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) — Subsidies attached to specific units rather than a person. KHA has six fully ADA-accessible 2-bedroom Project-Based Voucher units at Mitchell Manor in Kennewick, reserved exclusively for households with disabilities. Note: this waitlist is currently closed.
- Public Housing — Separate from vouchers; KHA owns and manages 190 units in two Kennewick developments, including a senior/disabled community. Applications are accepted at KHA’s office Monday–Thursday.
The Waitlist Reality
This is the most important thing families need to understand: the waitlist is often closed, and when it opens, it may only be open briefly. KHA’s HCV waitlist most recently opened and closed on May 25, 2026, a single day. Waitlists for affordable housing programs in the Tri-Cities can remain closed for months or years between openings.
What this means practically:
- Apply to both PHAs serving the Tri-Cities as soon as any waitlist opens — don’t wait
- Watch for openings — both agencies post notices on their websites and in the Tri-City Herald when waitlists open
- Keep your contact information current — if your address changes and the PHA can’t reach you when your name comes up, you will be removed from the list
- Apply early in life planning — for families of young adults with disabilities, starting the housing search and application process years before it becomes urgent is the single most important thing you can do
Tri-Cities Housing Authorities — Where to Apply
There is no Richland Housing Authority. Richland residents apply through KHA or HACPFC depending on their situation.
Kennewick Housing Authority (KHA)
Serves Kennewick, Richland, and all of Benton County
1915 W. 4th Place, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 586-8576
TTY: (509) 586-4460
Fax: (509) 582-7544
Email: info@kennewickha.org
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM and 12:30 PM–5:30 PM
Open to public by appointment only. Closed Fridays and all national holidays.
Current status (as of July 2026):
- HCV (Section 8) waitlist: Closed (last opened May 25, 2026)
- Public Housing waitlist: Open — applications for family and senior/disabled communities accepted at the office or by downloading the application at kennewickha.org
- Project-Based Vouchers (Mitchell Manor — disability): Closed
Programs offered: Standard HCV, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED), Family Unification Program (FUP), HUD-VASH, Project-Based Vouchers, Public Housing, Lilac Homes (homelessness exit housing), Nueva Vista I & II (mixed income including disability set-asides)
Kennewick Housing Authority Website | Housing Programs Overview | HCV Program Details
Housing Authority of the City of Pasco and Franklin County (HACPFC)
Serves Pasco and all of Franklin County
2505 W. Lewis Street, Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 547-3581
Maintenance (after hours): (509) 539-4787
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Current status (as of July 2026):
- HCV (Section 8) waitlist: Closed — watch hacpfc.org and the Tri-City Herald for openings
- Public Housing: Contact HACPFC directly for current availability
Income eligibility at time of final review: household income must be at or below 40% of AMI; preference given to households at 30% or below.
HACPFC Website | HCV Program Details | Eligibility Information
How to Get Started
- Check both PHA websites regularly for waitlist openings — kennewickha.org and hacpfc.org. Sign up for any notification lists they offer.
- Watch the Tri-City Herald — both PHAs are required to publish opening notices in the local newspaper.
- When a waitlist opens, apply immediately. Waitlists may only be open for hours or days. Have your documents ready in advance (see below).
- Apply to both PHAs if you live in or are willing to relocate within Benton or Franklin County.
- Keep your address current with any PHA you’ve applied to — a returned letter removes you from the list.
Documents to Have Ready:
- Photo ID for all adults in the household
- Social Security cards or documentation for all household members
- Birth certificates
- Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters, SSI/SSDI documentation)
- Documentation of disability if applying for NED or disability-priority programs
For Disability-Specific Housing Questions
If your family member has a developmental disability and is enrolled with DDA, talk to their DDA case manager about housing resources. DDA eligibility is also tied to some specialized affordable housing programs — including the Developmental Disabilities Life Opportunities Trust (DDLOT), which is a special needs trust that can help protect assets while planning for future housing needs.
DDA Housing Resources | Washington 2-1-1 — Housing Search | CAA Contact
FAQ
There’s no Richland Housing Authority, where do Richland residents apply?
Richland residents can apply through the Kennewick Housing Authority, which serves all of Benton County including Richland. There is no separate Richland Housing Authority.
How long is the wait once I’m on the list?
It varies significantly depending on funding, turnover, and the number of applicants ahead of you. Waits of several years are common in high-demand areas. This is why applying as early as possible — even if housing isn’t an immediate need — is strongly recommended.
Can my family member use a Section 8 voucher to rent from a private landlord?
Yes, that’s the whole point of the tenant-based voucher. Your family member can rent any qualifying private unit (apartment, house, townhome) whose landlord is willing to participate in the program and whose unit meets HUD’s housing quality standards.
What’s the difference between a voucher and public housing?
A voucher lets you choose your own private rental anywhere within the PHA’s jurisdiction. Public housing units are owned and managed by the PHA itself — you live in a specific building or development. Both programs charge approximately 30% of your adjusted income as rent.
My family member has a disability, does that affect their priority on the waitlist?
It may. KHA specifically offers Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers for working-age adults with disabilities, and has Project-Based Voucher units (Mitchell Manor) reserved exclusively for disabled households. Disability status may also qualify a household for preference categories depending on the PHA’s administrative plan. Contact the housing authority directly to ask about disability-related preferences when the waitlist opens.
Can a Section 8 voucher be used alongside SSI or SSDI?
Yes. SSI and SSDI income is counted in the household income calculation, but the 30% rent contribution is based on adjusted income — so someone receiving SSI will typically pay a small share of their benefit as rent, with the voucher covering the rest. This is one of the most important housing stability tools for adults with disabilities on fixed incomes.
