Application Process and Lottery System

Douglas County, KS

 

 

 

HSC Application and Lottery Status

Once tenants apply, the applications are referred to application processors at partnering agencies. This process is fairly simple, but does take time.

How does HSC Rent and Utility Assistance Work?

Have all documents ready and submit them when applying. This is not required, but does decreases time spent gathering documentation after the fact. Tenants can still apply even if they do not have all of the documents needed, but they will need to supply documentation within 48 hours of being reached by a processing agency.

Make sure that the contact information provided in the application is correct.

Keep an eye out for phone calls, voicemails, texts, and emails from an application processor. Communication could come from any one of our many partnering agencies.

Supply tenants with lease copies, ledgers, or other documentation in a timely fashion so that tenants can include it in their application.

Ensure that they or their staff keep an eye out for phone calls, voicemails, or emails from an application processor.

Review the Landlord Agreement immediately upon receipt and reaching out to the contact listed on the agreement if there is question or issue with the agreement.

Online Application

You do not need to understand this application process flow to apply for assistance. All you need to do to apply for assistance is fill out the application.

  • The graphics below are intended to be helpful for tenants, landlords, agencies, and other stakeholders to understand how the application works.
  • Application process is subject to change.

Additional Forms

The forms listed above are completed by the Douglas County Housing and Human Services department, application processors, and landlords. The only online form that landlords need to fill out is the Landlord Agreement which will be sent via email when a tenant applies and is approved for assistance.

The following types of documents may need to be attached to the online application.

For Past Due: Ledger or Balance Statement

For Current/Future: Lease or Ledger

For All Rent Payments: Landlord W-9*

*Douglas County has many landlord W-9 records

Documents showing utility company and full account number:

  • Bill
  • Past Due Notice
  • Disconnect Notice

These types of documents may be used to show income:

  • Paystub
  • Tax Return
  • Bank Statements
  • Social Security Letter
  • Disability Letter

Self-Attestation: Current funding sources allow for self-attestation. The applicant must sign an auto-generated form during the application process. This is subject to change as funding sources may change.

Application Flow Charts

The Lottery Process

How to Apply for Rent and Utility Assistance

The Housing Stabilization Collaborative (HSC) has updated how applications are reviewed in order to better support households most at risk of eviction and homelessness. This process is in development and will be available February 2026.

Applying for Assistance

  • Applications are submitted online.
  • The application has been simplified and asks fewer questions upfront.
  • Instead of a lottery, applicants will complete a prioritization tool that helps identify housing instability and risk.
  • Applications may be submitted at any time.

How Applications Are Reviewed

  • Applications are reviewed weekly, rather than through a monthly lottery.
  • Due to limited funding, most applications cannot be selected.
  • The need for assistance greatly outweighs available resources, and HSC works to review applications as fairly and consistently as possible, with the goal of supporting households most at risk of eviction leading to homelessness.

If Your Application Is Selected

  • Selected applicants will be contacted by a partnering agency by phone or email.
  • At that time, applicants will be asked to provide any additional information or documentation needed to determine eligibility and move forward.
  • Being contacted does not guarantee funding, but indicates the application is moving forward in the review process.
  • Messages will be sent from hsc@dgcoks.gov or from a partnering agency to the contact information provided in the application.

Applicants should check email and voicemail regularly, including spam or junk folders.

These updates are intended to improve fairness, reduce delays, and better target assistance to households experiencing the greatest housing instability.

Households can only be chosen once per calendar year in the lottery.