Rent & Utilities

Affordable housing apartment building

KCHA's payment standards define the highest amount we will pay each month to help a tenant with rent. They are based on current average market rent rates for the King County area.

If a tenant chooses a unit that rents at or below the standard, they pay 28 percent of their monthly income toward rent and utilities. If a tenant chooses a unit that rents above the standard, they also pay the full amount for rent that exceeds the standard. Tenants may not move into a unit where rent and utilities cost more than 40 percent of their monthly income.

If a tenant pays for utilities, KCHA also provides them with a monthly energy assistance supplement. This amount is based on an average utility rate for the King County area. Tenants receive it as a credit to their total monthly payment. They must pay for any utility costs above the supplement amount.

Payment Standards

Our payment standards depend on two factors: the number of bedrooms in the home and where it is located within King County. Use the lookup tool below to see the standards that apply to a given ZIP code. You may also view the full list of tiers by ZIP code (PDF). These standards are effective as of January 1, 2024.

Payment Standards Lookup

ZIP Code

Energy Assistance Supplements

KCHA's energy assistance supplements—formerly called utility allowances—depend on the building type, the electricity provider, and the number of bedrooms in the unit. These rates took effect Feb. 1, 2013 and remain in place today.

Energy Assistance Supplements: Single-Family Buildings

These rates took effect Nov. 1, 2024 and remain in place today.

Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $167
2-bed: $210
3-bed: $260
4-bed: $326
5-bed+: $379

Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
0/1-bed: $88
2-bed: $120
3-bed: $149
4-bed: $195
5-bed+: $226

Provider: Puget Sound Energy
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $190
2-bed: $236
3-bed: $291
4-bed: $361
5-bed+: $416

Provider: Puget Sound Energy
W/S/G Payer: Owner
0/1-bed: $112
2-bed: $145
3-bed: $179
4-bed: $229
5-bed+: $263

Provider: Owner
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $78
2-bed: $91
3-bed: $112
4-bed: $132
5-bed+: $153

Energy Assistance Supplements: Multi-Family Buildings

These rates took effect Nov. 1, 2024 and remain in place today.

Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $121
2-bed: $150
3-bed: $190
4-bed+: $236

Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
0/1-bed: $42
2-bed: $59
3-bed: $78
4-bed+: $104

Provider: Puget Sound Energy
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $142
2-bed: $172
3-bed: $212
4-bed+: $260

Provider: Puget Sound Energy
W/S/G Payer: Owner
0/1-bed: $64
2-bed: $82
3-bed: $101
4-bed+: $129

Provider: Owner
W/S/G Payer: Tenant
0/1-bed: $78
2-bed: $91
3-bed: $112
4-bed+: $132

Main Office
600 Andover Park W.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Tel: (206) 574‑1100
Fax: (206) 574‑1104
TDD: (800) 833‑6388
Directions

Section 8 Office
700 Andover Park W.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Tel: (206) 214‑1300
Fax: (206) 243‑5927
Directions

Central Applications Center — Subsidized Housing
Tel: (206) 574‑1248
Fax: (206) 574‑1241