What King County Housing Authority does

King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is an independent government agency created in 1939 by the King County Council that provides affordable rental housing and rental assistance to more than 50,000 low-income people across King County, Washington. KCHA owns 155+ properties comprising 12,650+ units located in 33 cities and unincorporated areas, and separately administers more than 14,000 federally funded Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) that enable tenants to rent from private landlords. Its portfolio is segmented into federally subsidized public housing (4,400+ units), workforce/moderate-income housing serving households at 60-130% of area median income, senior housing, manufactured-home communities, and homeless housing delivered through partner nonprofits.

KCHA's core operational capability is property acquisition, redevelopment, and asset management, financed primarily through federal HUD subsidies (approximately two-thirds of the operating budget), tax-exempt municipal Revenue Refunding Bonds (a $101 million issuance in July 2025 supports a pool of 30+ workforce properties with 3,977 units), and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity syndicated with partners including RBC Capital Markets and JPMorgan Chase. KCHA is one of the original 39 Moving to Work (MTW) agencies, giving it regulatory flexibility to design local housing programs. Named flagship properties include Kirkland Heights (276 units, $125 million redevelopment with solar PV and EV infrastructure), Greenbridge master-planned community (900-1,000 homes), Seola Gardens (112 units), Sterling Ridge (116 units), Brier Woods (136 units), Henry House (54 units), Haven Apartment Homes (246 units, acquired January 2026 for $46 million), Highlander House (23 units), and Village at Overlake Station (308-unit transit-oriented development).

KCHA's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: applications are taken through a Central Applications Center and waiting lists for housing assistance are managed in-house. Resident services include Family Self-Sufficiency (supported by a $607,615 HUD grant in 2026), School Success for K-12 & College, weatherization programs, and the new Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative. Distribution is via owned properties plus the voucher-leveraged private rental market. KCHA has no parent company, no equity investors, and is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the King County Executive. Leadership is headed by President/CEO Robin Walls (appointed May 2022), supported by an executive team spanning Administration, People and Culture, Technology, Development and Asset Management, Policy/Research/Social Impact, and HCVP.

Name

King County Housing Authority

Legal name

King County Housing Authority

Website

https://kcha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is an independent government agency that provides affordable rental housing and rental assistance to more than 50,000 low-income residents of King County, Washington, operating 155+ properties with 12,650+ units and administering 14,000+ Housing Choice Vouchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (531110)

SIC

Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Public housing services
• Affordable rental housing
• Housing choice vouchers
• Subsidized housing programs
• Workforce housing development

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Housing Subsidies: Primary funding source - approximately two-thirds of budget comes from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing operations
2. Rental Income: Rental income from tenants in public housing and workforce housing properties; rents are income-based and subsidized for low-income residents
3. Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds: KCHA issues municipal Revenue Refunding Bonds for permanent financing of workforce housing properties; recent $101 million issuance at 5% interest rate
4. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC): 4% LIHTC financing for affordable housing development and rehabilitation projects like Kirkland Heights and other acquisitions
5. Family Self-Sufficiency Program Grant: HUD grants supporting coordinators who help low-income residents achieve financial goals including debt payoff, education, and homeownership

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

King County Housing Authority (KCHA) provides affordable rental housing and rental assistance to low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and workforce households across King County, Washington. Its portfolio includes public housing units, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), moderate-income housing, manufactured home communities, homeownership pathways, and supportive resident services including Family Self-Sufficiency programs.

Product overview

King County Housing Authority (KCHA) provides quality affordable rental housing and assistance to more than 50,000 people across King County, Washington. The organization operates a portfolio-based model consisting of: (1) Core Housing Programs including Housing Choice Vouchers (14,000+ vouchers), Subsidized/Public Housing (4,400+ units), and Moderate-Income Housing; (2) A Property Portfolio of 155+ properties with 12,650+ units including named communities like Kirkland Heights (276 units), Greenbridge (900-1,000 homes), Seola Gardens (112 units), Sterling Ridge (116 units), Henry House (54 units), Brier Woods (136 units), Haven Apartment Homes (246 units), Highlander House (23 units), and Village at Overlake Station (308 units); (3) Support Services including Weatherization programs, Resident Services, and Self-Sufficiency programs. KCHA owns more than 150 properties across 33 cities and uses federal funding (primarily HUD), tax-exempt bonds, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to finance operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kirkland Heights: A newly redeveloped affordable housing community in Kirkland, WA with 276 modern affordable rental homes across 27 buildings, originally built in 1970 as 'Aero Kirkland' and acquired by KCHA in 2019.

Products and services

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) Federal rental assistance administered by KCHA providing portable rental subsidies to low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities leasing units from private-market landlords across King County. KCHA administers 14,000+ vouchers, making it one of the largest HCV programs in the Pacific Northwest.
• Subsidized Public Housing Direct-ownership rental housing units subsidized by HUD and operated by KCHA, serving low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities across 155+ properties and 33 cities in King County. Tenants pay income-based rents (typically 30% of adjusted income).
• Moderate-Income (Below-Market Rate) Housing Rental housing offered at below-market rents to working households earning 60-130% of Area Median Income, providing a workforce housing ladder for families and individuals priced out of market-rate rentals in King County.
• Manufactured Home Communities Affordable manufactured housing communities including Friendly Village, Rainier View, Tall Cedars, Vantage Glen, and Wonderland Estates, offering a homeownership pathway and rental pads within KCHA's portfolio.
• Resident Services (Family Self-Sufficiency, School Success) Wraparound supportive services for KCHA residents including the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program pairing housing assistance with case management, and School Success programming supporting educational outcomes for children in KCHA households.
• Homeownership Programs Pathways to homeownership for low- and moderate-income households through manufactured home ownership, lease-purchase opportunities, and related KCHA-supported programs.
• Weatherization & Housing Repair Energy efficiency weatherization services and housing repair programs that reduce utility costs, improve health and safety, and extend the useful life of affordable housing units.
• Kirkland Heights KCHA-owned affordable housing community in Kirkland, Washington providing new affordable rental units for low-income and workforce households.
• Greenbridge Mixed-income master-planned community in White Center built as the redevelopment of the former Park Lake Homes public housing site, providing a mix of public housing replacement, workforce, and market-rate units.
• Seola Gardens 112-unit mixed-income affordable and workforce rental community in White Center developed by KCHA.
• Village at Overlake Station 308-unit transit-oriented development near the Overlake Village light rail station providing a mix of affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing in Redmond.
• Sterling Ridge 116-unit workforce housing community in King County developed by KCHA as part of its Below-Market Rate housing portfolio.
• Henry House 54-unit affordable rental community in King County developed by KCHA.
• Brier Woods 136-unit affordable housing community in King County developed by KCHA.
• Haven Apartment Homes 246-unit affordable housing community acquired by KCHA in January 2026, adding to the agency's owned affordable housing portfolio.
• Highlander House Apartments 23-unit affordable housing community acquired by KCHA in July 2025, adding to the agency's owned affordable housing portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 50,000 people served with affordable housing and supportive services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and historical.

• CHOOSE 180supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Youth development organization partnering with KCHA's Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative to bring additional programs to teens in Auburn, Kent, and Shoreline
• Northwest Credible MessengersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Youth development partner in KCHA's Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative providing additional youth development programs
• Allied ResidentialcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 January 2026Professional property management company that manages Haven Apartment Homes and Sterling Ridge for KCHA, providing day-to-day tenant services and property operations
• Allied Construction AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor that completed construction of Kirkland Heights redevelopment project
• SMR ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead design firm for Kirkland Heights redevelopment, responsible for architectural design of the 276-unit affordable housing community
• Puget Sound SolarsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSolar infrastructure provider that installed photovoltaic systems at Kirkland Heights generating over 846,000 kWh annually
• City of KirklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided waiver of impact fees for Kirkland Heights project and partnered in acquisition to preserve affordable housing in high-opportunity neighborhood
• ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coalition investing in Kirkland Heights redevelopment; ARCH works to preserve and expand affordable housing across East King County
• King CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvested in Kirkland Heights and collaborated on multiple property acquisitions; co-funder of affordable housing development across the county
• Multi-Service Center and Shelter Resources, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Federal Way Downtown transit-oriented development project to deliver approximately 230 affordable homes with community amenities
• Mercy Housing NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering on Kent Des Moines transit-oriented development to build 233 affordable units alongside Open Doors for Multicultural Families
• Open Doors for Multicultural FamiliessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in Kent Des Moines development providing services for multicultural families in the new 233-unit affordable housing community
• Conner HomessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally owned homebuilder selected by KCHA for Greenbridge master-planned community development; sold 218 market-rate residences over eight years
• Allied UniversalsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrivate security firm providing professional security services across KCHA communities including drive-through and foot patrols, incident response, and visible security presence
• International Association of MachinistshistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal developer of Kirkland Heights property (then called Aero Kirkland) in 1970 to support Boeing workers; KCHA acquired property in 2019

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Housing Authority (SHA): Seattle's municipal housing authority operating public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and affordable housing within the same metropolitan area. Operates with the same HUD funding model, MTW-style program innovations, and serves an overlapping low-income tenant base as KCHA.
• Tacoma Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving Tacoma and Pierce County, WA, providing subsidized housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and resident services under the same HUD framework as KCHA. Comparable scale, similar Pacific Northwest HUD-funded operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA): Large municipal housing authority operating Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and affordable housing across Los Angeles. Operates the same federal program mix as KCHA at significantly larger scale, providing a useful comparison for KCHA's growth trajectory.
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): U.S.'s largest public housing authority, operating public housing units and Section 8 vouchers under the same HUD framework. Notable for demonstrating the scale ceiling and capital-reinvestment challenges relevant to large public housing portfolios.
• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): Major Midwestern housing authority administering public housing, HCVs, and affordable rental properties with HUD funding. Comparable operating model and program mix, scaled to Chicago's housing market.
• Boston Housing Authority (BHA): Public housing authority serving Boston, providing public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers. Operates the same core HUD programs as KCHA in another high-cost U.S. housing market.

Regional players

• Pierce County Housing Authority: Neighboring Washington state housing authority serving Pierce County under the same HUD framework. Comparable tenant base and programs but distinct geographic service area in adjacent county.
• Snohomish County Housing Authority: Neighboring Washington county housing authority serving Snohomish County. Same state, similar HUD framework, but different geography (north of King County). Comparable scale and operating model.

Others

• Mercy Housing Northwest: Regional nonprofit affordable housing developer that partners directly with KCHA on transit-oriented developments (e.g., 233-unit Kent Des Moines project). Same geography and tenant base but operates as a nonprofit co-developer rather than a public authority.
• Homestead Community Land Trust: King County-based nonprofit preserving permanently affordable housing through community land trust and resale-restricted models. Comparable affordable housing mission and Seattle-area geography, but operates via private nonprofit channels rather than public authority framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KingCountyHousingAuthority
• Facebookfacebook.com/KingCountyHousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kcha
• Instagraminstagram.com/kingcountyhousing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about King County Housing Authority