Kennewick Housing Authority (KHA) and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and have partnered to provide affordable housing for individuals and families. HUD provides rental subsidies for Public Housing units owned and managed by KHA.
These two properties in Kennewick fall under this program.
- Keewaydin Plaza is a 7-story hi-rise building composed of 1-bedroom units for elderly and disabled households.
- Sunnyslope Homes are composed of 1,2,3, 4-bedroom multifamily duplex units.
In most cases, tenants pay no more than 30% of their household’s monthly income for rent and utilities.
How to Apply for the Public Housing Program
- You can obtain a housing program application at KHA’s main administration office or apply online and submit at KHA’s main administration office only.
- Applying to this program has steps containing submitting a “full” application
- Applications will be assessed for eligibility to be approved or denied. All applicants will be notified in writing, if they have been approved or denied. KHA will not accept incomplete applications.
- Currently the estimated waiting period for this program could be from 6 months to 2 years after submitting a completed application.
Wait List – Closed.
The Waitlist is currently closed.
You may only apply for KHA properties when the Waitlist is open. You must meet qualifications for the housing unit, including income limits. See the FAQ below for more details.
Check Your Placement on the Wait List
To find your placement on the Waitlist please login to the Online Application website. You will see your place on the Wait List at the bottom of your Account Information listed on the right side of the page. If you have already applied for a housing program, please make sure that we always have your current mailing address. Mail returned by the Post Office will cause your name to be removed from the waitlist.
When your name is chosen, you will receive an Intake Packet to complete so we can confirm that you qualify for the apartment. KHA has the right to screen tenants. We will check records including past landlord references and criminal records.
Preferences
Some people may be given a preference or priority over other applicants. For example, a person in a wheelchair may go ahead of someone else, if a wheelchair accessible unit is available. Housing Authorities are permitted to establish local preferences to give priority to applicants that meet the preference criteria. HUD specifically authorizes and places restrictions on certain types of local preferences. Any local preferences established must be consistent with the annual plan and the consolidated plan, and must be based on local housing needs and priorities that can be documented by generally accepted data sources [24 CFR 960.206(a)].
Residents
Once you are living in KHA public housing, staff will conduct a review each year to determine how much your rent will be for the next year. Your rent is based on your income and certain deductions. If you report a change in your income or deductions during the year, your rent may be adjusted so that you pay the same percentage of your income for rent.
The only reason you can be evicted from KHA owned and managed subsidized housing is if you violate the lease or program rules. As long as you follow the terms of the lease, you can stay in your housing. If you are evicted from VHA owned and managed subsidized housing, you lose your subsidy.
Maintenance and Inspections
This information is for tenants in properties owned and managed by KHA ONLY. Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants should contact their landlord or property manager for maintenance issues.
Tenants in Sunnyslope and Keewaydin Plaza shall promptly report any breakage, damage, infestation, mold or needed repairs and any unsafe or unsanitary conditions in the premises, common areas and grounds which may lead to damage or injury. To report, call KHA’s Maintenance Office at (509) 586-8576 Ext 113 during regular business hours – Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. If any such issues occur outside of regular business hours or on KHA holidays, please call (509) 521-1027.
Examples of an after-hours emergency:
- Plugged toilet (if there is only one toilet in the unit)
- Water heater leak
- Ceiling leak
- Broken window (with broken glass present)
- No heat (during cold outdoor temperatures)
- Electrical hazard
- Inoperable smoke detectors
- Tenant locked out of unit
- Inoperable lock and/or broken entry door
Maintenance charges are made in cases of tenant-caused damage only. Tenant will not be charged for repairs due to normal wear-and-tear. Tenants shall not build on, or make changes to, the interior or exterior of the unit. Changes include, but are not limited to: paint, wallpaper, locks, shelves, satellite dishes, fences, etc. If a tenant has questions about this requirement, they should contact their Housing Specialist.