Kan. Stat. Ann. § 17-2347
Housing rentals and tenant admissions; non-dwelling facilities, tenants and rental.
Operative Text
A municipality shall: (a) Rent or lease the dwelling accommodations in a housing project only to persons of low income and at rentals within the financial reach of such persons; (b) rent or lease to a tenant such dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms which it deems necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants thereof, without overcrowding; and (c) fix income limits for occupancy and rents after taking into consideration the family size, composition, age, physical handicaps, and other factors which might affect the rent paying ability of the family, including the economic factors which affect the financial stability and solvency of the project. In computing the rental for this purpose of admitting tenants, there shall be included in the rental the average annual cost (as determined by the municipality) to occupants of heat, water, electricity, gas, cooking fuel and other necessary services or facilities, whether or not the charge for such services and facilities is included in the rental. A municipality shall give a preference to those persons who occupied dwellings which were razed so that a slum could be cleared or the housing project could be constructed and to elderly persons whether or not so displaced, and who desire to rent or lease dwelling accommodations in such housing project, if such persons are otherwise qualified to rent or lease dwelling accommodations in such housing project. Notwithstanding the provisions hereof, a municipality may agree to conditions as to tenant eligibility or preference required by the federal government pursuant to federal law in any contract for financial assistance. Further, notwithstanding the provisions hereof, nothing herein shall be construed to limit the amount of rental that an authority may charge or the tenants that an authority may admit for non-dwelling facilities. All such rental, together with other income and revenue shall be used in the operation of the projects to aid in accomplishing the public purposes of this act. Nothing contained in this or the preceding section shall be construed as limiting the power of a municipality, with respect to a housing project, to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the municipality, to take possession or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all the restrictions imposed by this or the preceding section.
Under Kansas Statutes §§ 17-2337, 17-2339, 17-2346, 17-2347, 17-2350, and 17-2365, municipalities operating public housing projects are required to rent dwelling units exclusively to low-income persons at rents they can afford, sizing units to avoid overcrowding and setting income limits based on family size, age, disability, and other relevant factors. When calculating rent for admission purposes, the municipality must factor in the average annual cost of utilities and essential services, even if those costs are not bundled into the stated rent. Preference in tenant selection must be given to people displaced by slum clearance or housing project construction, as well as to elderly persons, provided they otherwise qualify — though federal funding agreements may impose additional or different eligibility conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Municipalities and housing authorities operating projects under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 17-2337, 17-2339, 17-2346, 17-2347, 17-2350, and 17-2365 generally establish rent schedules that account for family composition, income, age, physical handicaps, and utility costs, ensuring that the total financial burden remains within the reach of low-income occupants. Compliant operators document how income limits and unit-size assignments are determined, and they maintain preference policies that prioritize displaced and elderly applicants in their admissions processes. For non-dwelling facilities within a project, the statute does not cap rental amounts, giving authorities more flexibility in those specific arrangements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Persons seeking housing in Kansas municipal housing projects have rights under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 17-2337, 17-2339, 17-2346, 17-2347, 17-2350, and 17-2365 to be considered for units sized appropriately for their household and priced within their financial means, with utility costs factored into the rent calculation. Individuals who were displaced by slum clearance or project construction, and elderly applicants, are entitled to a preference in admissions if they otherwise qualify. Those who believe a municipality has not followed these requirements — such as failing to apply the correct preference categories or improperly calculating income limits — may consider contacting the relevant local housing authority, a tenant-rights organization, or seeking guidance on available administrative or legal remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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