Public Records Requests

The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) manages Sedro-Woolley Housing Authority’s public records request process as part of a contractual agreement between the two housing authorities.

In Washington State, public records are governed by the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) which pertains to all records prepared, owned, used, or retained by public entities and contain information related to the conduct of government or the performance of a government function. The Sedro-Woolley Housing Authority (SWHA) provides records in compliance with all applicable laws to promote agency transparency and accountability.

To request copies of public records, please use the King County Housing Authority’s Public Records Request Portal and its Public Records Request Response Team will help you with your request for Sedro-Woolley Housing Authority records.

Submit a Request

If you prefer to make a request by letter, fax, email, or in person, please print SWHA’s Public Records Request Form (PDF) and fill it out as completely as possible. You may drop the request form in the mail slot at the Hillsview Apartments location, 830 Township Street in Sedro-Woolley, or send it to KCHA for processing:

Public Records Officer
600 Andover Park West
Tukwila, WA 98188
Fax: (206) 574-1104

If a request is submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person, the request will be entered into the Public Records Request tracking platform upon receipt. Once entered, requests can be tracked through the Public Records Request Portal.

What to Expect After You Submit a Request

After entering a request into the Public Records Request Portal, you will receive an auto-generated email from the King County Housing Authority via JustFOIA acknowledging that the request has been received and assigned a tracking number.

Within 5 business days of receiving your request, KCHA will respond to communicate one of the following:

  • The requested records are available for download through the Public Records Request Portal.
  • The requested records are available for viewing and copying during normal business hours.
  • The requested records are publicly available online, and the location where they can be found.
  • The request has been received, and a reasonable estimate of time when the records will be made available.
  • The requested records are available for pick-up upon receipt of payment for fees associated with your request.
  • The requested records are ready to be mailed by U.S.P.S. Certified Mail or other secure method of your choice to the address provided upon receipt of payment for fees, including mailing cost.
  • The request is unclear and clarification is needed to process the request. (KCHA will proceed with responding to all clear portions of your request while awaiting the requested clarification.)
  • The request has been denied, and a citation of the applicable legal exemption.

For a request received after 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, or on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the date of receipt by SWHA is the next business day following the submission. The date of receipt does not count as one of the 5 business days.

Public Records Request Response Process

KCHA’s Public Records Request Response Team exists to:

  • Operate in compliance with Washington State’s Public Records Act and related regulations.
  • Coordinate with departments and offices to ensure an adequate search for all records responsive to your request.
  • Process requests in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Fulfill requests without excessively interfering with agency business.
  • Protect public records from damage or disorganization.
  • Manage the public records request process consistent with agency policy.

Records Exempt from Disclosure

Some records are exempt from disclosure, either in whole or in part, under the Public Records Act or other statutes. If only part of a record is exempt, the exempt portions will be redacted before providing it to you. Any redactions will be explained in writing.

SWHA will not disclose lists of individuals to be used for commercial purposes. If your request is for a listing of individual names such as employees or landlords, you may be required to confirm that your request is not for the purpose of generating profit, revenue, or any other financial benefit.

The Washington State Legislature’s Office of the Code Reviser annually prepares a comprehensive list of public records exemptions available through the Attorney General’s Office website on its Sunshine Committee page.

Viewing and Copying Records

If you wish to view and copy records in person, records will be made available at the King County Housing Authority’s Main Office location in Tukwila by appointment during normal business hours. You may not disassemble, alter, or remove documents from the viewing area. You may take photos of the records as an alternative to requesting photocopies. Charges for copies are outlined in KCHA’s Fee Schedule (PDF).

A reasonable fee may be charged for providing paper or electronic copies of records, including the actual cost of mailing supplies and services. If the request requires information technology expertise or specialized services not used by the agency for other purposes, a customized service fee may be charged.

For large requests, the agency may:

  • Provide records in installments.
  • Require a deposit before making copies.
  • Require advance payment before providing additional installments.

Special Considerations

If you do not review or claim records within 15 days after they are made available, or fail to make payment, your records request may be closed. If the records contain information that may affect the rights of others, KCHA on behalf of SWHA may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties before providing the records. If, after a request is completed and closed, the agency becomes aware of additional documents that existed at the time of the request, they will be provided to you on an expedited basis.

Please note that the agency is not required to create documents to comply with requests for specific information. The agency must only produce existing records for review and copying. The agency is also not required to compile information from multiple records into a form that is more useful to you.