Kansas has moderate tenant protections under the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and a single statewide housing finance agency (the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation). Source-of-income protection is the live policy fight in 2026 — there is none statewide, Lawrence has a local ordinance, and a bill currently in the Legislature would preempt cities from enacting any. Below: which PHA covers you, current waitlist status, named statewide and local nonprofits, and your rights as a Kansas renter.
- 211 — free, 24/7 — for any housing emergency anywhere in Kansas
- Wichita Housing Authority: (316) 462-3700
- KHRC (statewide): kshousingcorp.org
- Kansas Legal Services (free legal aid): kansaslegalservices.org
Major Kansas Public Housing Authorities — Current Status
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally. These are the largest Kansas PHAs and their current waitlist status. If your nearest PHA is closed, apply to several others — you are not limited to your home city.
Wichita Housing Authority
- HCV waiting list: changed from "open" to "opening soon" on April 5, 2026 — check daily for the actual opening
- Also accepting: Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) applications
- Income limit (very low, family of 4): $46,900/year in the Wichita HMFA
- Contact: (316) 462-3700 · wichita.myhousing.com · 455 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67202
- New construction: The Ark River Residences waitlist opens July 1, 2026 (5136 S. Broadway, Wichita 67216)
Topeka Housing Authority
- Status: Closed. Not accepting applications and no openings scheduled as of May 2026
- If you live in or near Topeka, also apply to Lawrence Housing Authority and statewide programs through KHRC
Other Kansas PHAs to apply to
- Lawrence Housing Authority (Douglas County)
- Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority (Wyandotte County — note Kansas City, MO has a separate PHA across the state line)
- Olathe, Salina, Manhattan, Garden City, Hutchinson — smaller PHAs that often have shorter waits
To find the PHA serving your specific zip code, use HUD's PHA contact directory or our how to find your PHA guide. For the full application process, see how to apply for Section 8.
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) — State Programs
KHRC is the state housing finance agency designated by the Governor to administer the majority of state-administered rental assistance. They are the right starting point for programs that aren't tied to a single city PHA:
- Emergency Rental Assistance: KHRC administered KERA, the state's federal pandemic-era rental assistance program (~$200M total). Most KERA funding has been drawn down — check kshousingcorp.org for any successor programs currently accepting applications
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC): KHRC allocates LIHTC properties — privately owned apartments with income-restricted rents. Search HUD's LIHTC database for properties in your county, or see how to find LIHTC housing
- HOME and other state-administered rental programs for areas outside major-city PHAs
- Homebuyer assistance and counseling programs for households trying to transition out of subsidized rental
Emergency Rental Assistance in Kansas (Named Programs)
If you're behind on rent or can't make this month, these statewide and regional nonprofits provide emergency financial assistance. Funding shifts month to month — always call to confirm capacity:
- Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas (Salina + surrounding) — emergency rent, utilities, prescription assistance — ccnks.org/emergencyfinancial
- Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas (Dodge City + surrounding, 804 N. 2nd Ave) — housing and economic assistance
- Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph — covers Wyandotte and Johnson counties on the Kansas side and serves the metro
- Salvation Army Kansas — local corps in most major cities provide one-time emergency assistance
- Local Community Action Agencies — every Kansas county is covered by a CAA that may administer LIHEAP, weatherization, and crisis assistance
- 211 Kansas — dial 211 to be routed to whichever local program currently has openings
Utility assistance: LIHEAP
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Kansas is administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (formerly Social and Rehabilitation Services). To qualify you must:
- Live at the address where you need help
- Be personally responsible for paying the heating costs
- Show a recent history of payments toward the primary heating energy source
- Have combined gross household income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level
Reducing your utility burden frees up cash for rent — apply even if you're not at imminent shutoff.
Kansas Tenant Law: Key Protections at a Glance
Quick Reference: Kansas (KS)
- Source of income protection: None statewide. Lawrence has a local ordinance (status uncertain — see HB 2504 below)
- Rent control: None — no statewide rent control or stabilization
- Security deposit limit: 1 month rent (unfurnished), 1.5 months (furnished)
- Security deposit return deadline: 30 days, itemized
- Eviction notice (nonpayment): 3 days written
- Eviction notice (lease violation): 10 days written
- Notice to end month-to-month: 30 days
- Implied warranty of habitability: Yes (court-recognized)
Source-of-Income Protection in 2026 (The Live Fight)
Kansas has no statewide source-of-income protection — landlords across the state can legally refuse to rent to you because you pay with a Section 8 voucher, SSI, SSDI, VA benefits, or other lawful assistance.
The city of Lawrence has its own ordinance prohibiting source-of-income discrimination. HB 2504, which passed the Kansas House in early 2026, would preempt local ordinances like Lawrence's — preventing cities and counties from enacting or enforcing source-of-income protections. The bill also defines what counts as income and explicitly excludes federal housing vouchers from that definition. Status changes fast; verify the current law before counting on local protection.
For voucher holders dealing with refusal, see our source-of-income protections guide for what's enforceable nationally and where to file complaints.
Rental registration requirements
- Wichita: Annual rental registration ($25 per unit) with periodic housing-code inspections
- Topeka: Rental licensing program with inspection requirements
- Lawrence: Rental licensing with fees scaled by number of units
If your landlord is unregistered, that's leverage for habitability complaints — contact your city's code enforcement office.
Security Deposits
Maximum deposit: 1 month rent (unfurnished), 1.5 months (furnished). Your landlord must return the deposit within 30 days after move-out and provide an itemized list of any deductions. Deductions can only be for actual damage beyond normal wear and tear. If the landlord doesn't return your deposit or provide an itemized list, you may be entitled to the full deposit plus statutory penalties in court — Kansas Legal Services can help you bring a small-claims action.
Eviction Process
Kansas landlords must follow legal procedures. Self-help eviction — changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing your belongings — is illegal. Here's the standard sequence:
- Nonpayment of rent: 3 days written notice to pay or quit before the landlord can file in court
- Lease violation: 10 days written notice describing the violation
- Ending month-to-month: 30 days written notice from either party
- Court filing: Forcible detainer action in district court. You receive a summons, appear, present defenses, and contest. Do not skip court — default judgments lead to fast lockouts
- Right to counsel: Kansas does not guarantee a lawyer in eviction cases, but Kansas Legal Services represents low-income tenants for free
If you've received an eviction notice, see how to avoid eviction and contact Kansas Legal Services the same day.
Where to Get Help in Kansas
Free legal aid: Kansas Legal Services represents low-income Kansans in eviction defense, habitability complaints, and discrimination cases. Apply online or by phone.
State housing finance agency: Kansas Housing Resources Corporation administers state housing programs, LIHTC, rental assistance, and homebuyer assistance.
Find your local PHA: Use HUD's PHA contact directory or our how to find your PHA guide.
211 Helpline: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org to connect with local housing assistance, emergency shelters, utility help, and social services.
HUD Fair Housing: File a discrimination complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing or call 1-800-669-9777.
Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKCCEH): If you're in the Kansas City metro (either side of the state line) and need homeless services, call 211 or 1-816-924-7997.