Washington State’s housing affordability crisis is among the most severe in the United States. The Seattle-Bellevue-Redmond metro — supercharged by Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and a cascading technology economy — has seen median rents double in a decade, pushing working-class families out of Seattle proper and into suburban King County, Pierce County, and Snohomish County, where rents have followed close behind. Spokane, which had long been one of the Pacific Northwest’s most affordable mid-sized cities, has seen explosive rent growth as remote workers and California transplants discovered its relative affordability — and promptly erased it. Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, and Olympia face similar dynamics.
Washington’s agricultural heartland — the Yakima Valley, the Columbia Basin, and the Wenatchee area — faces a farm worker housing crisis of enormous scale, with migrant and permanent agricultural workers living in severe overcrowding at housing costs that consume catastrophic portions of poverty-level wages. The Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands, and rural northeastern Washington each face their own version of a crisis defined by extreme housing scarcity and wage structures that cannot support market-rate rents. For low-income families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, farm workers, veterans, and the millions of Washington residents priced out of the private market, Section 8 housing vouchers in Washington State provide critical monthly rent relief.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about Section 8 housing in Washington State — including who qualifies, Washington-specific income limits by region, Fair Market Rents, a full directory of Washington Public Housing Authorities, a step-by-step application guide, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What Is Section 8 Housing in Washington State?
Section 8 — officially called the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program — is a federally funded rental assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In Washington State, the program is managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) across the state’s counties and cities. The largest and most important PHAs for voucher holders are the King County Housing Authority (KCHA), the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), the Pierce County Housing Authority, the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA), and the Snohomish County Housing Authority (SCHA) in Western Washington, and the Spokane Housing Authority (SHA-Spokane) and Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) in Eastern Washington.
Washington State also has an unusually strong state-level housing finance agency — the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) — which administers tax credit and bond financing for affordable rental housing statewide and coordinates with PHAs to expand the supply of affordable units.
The program pays a portion of your monthly rent directly to your landlord. You contribute approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and your Washington PHA covers the remainder — up to the local payment standard — each month.
Washington Context: Washington’s King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is one of the largest housing authorities in the western United States and administers thousands of Housing Choice Vouchers across suburban King County. KCHA — (206) 574-1100 — is entirely separate from the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) — (206) 239-1500 — which serves the City of Seattle itself. Both have independent waitlists and programs; apply to both simultaneously if you are in or near Seattle.
Washington State also has a statewide source-of-income (SOI) protection law — one of the strongest in the nation — meaning Washington landlords statewide cannot legally refuse your voucher.
Washington State Source-of-Income Protection Law
Washington has a statewide source-of-income (SOI) protection law. RCW 49.60.222 (Washington Law Against Discrimination) prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income — explicitly including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers — statewide.
This means:
- Washington landlords statewide cannot refuse to rent based on a tenant’s Section 8 voucher or other housing subsidy
- Landlords cannot advertise “No Section 8,” “No vouchers,” or similar exclusions anywhere in Washington State
- Landlords cannot impose more burdensome screening criteria on voucher holders than on unsubsidized applicants
- Violations can be reported to the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) at (800) 233-3247 — hum.wa.gov
The Northwest Justice Project at 1-888-201-1014 and Columbia Legal Services at (206) 464-5911 also provide free fair housing complaint assistance and housing legal services statewide.
Important: File a complaint with WSHRC within one year of the discriminatory act. Washington’s SOI law is enforced statewide — from Seattle and Bellevue to Spokane, Yakima, and Bellingham. Use this protection actively if a landlord refuses your voucher. The Northwest Justice Project at 1-888-201-1014 provides free legal support for fair housing complaints in any Washington county.
Who Qualifies for Section 8 Housing Vouchers in Washington State?
To be eligible for Section 8 housing in Washington State, you must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Income Limits
Washington’s income limits vary enormously — the Seattle metro has some of the highest AMIs in the United States, while rural Eastern Washington counties run significantly lower.
Below are the approximate [Current_year] income limits for a family of four in major Washington areas:
| Washington Area | Extremely Low (30% AMI) | Very Low (50% AMI) | Low Income (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle / King County | ~$52,800 | ~$88,000 | ~$140,800 |
| Bellevue / Redmond / Kirkland (King County) | ~$52,800 | ~$88,000 | ~$140,800 |
| Snohomish County (Everett / Lynnwood / Marysville) | ~$45,300 | ~$75,500 | ~$120,800 |
| Pierce County (Tacoma / Lakewood / Puyallup) | ~$38,350 | ~$63,950 | ~$102,300 |
| Kitsap County (Bremerton / Silverdale) | ~$38,250 | ~$63,750 | ~$102,000 |
| Thurston County (Olympia / Lacey / Tumwater) | ~$37,350 | ~$62,250 | ~$99,600 |
| Whatcom County (Bellingham) | ~$34,600 | ~$57,650 | ~$92,250 |
| Clark County (Vancouver / Camas) | ~$37,450 | ~$62,400 | ~$99,850 |
| Spokane County (Spokane / Spokane Valley) | ~$28,500 | ~$47,500 | ~$76,000 |
| Yakima County (Yakima / Selah / Union Gap) | ~$22,500 | ~$37,500 | ~$60,000 |
| Benton / Franklin Counties (Tri-Cities: Kennewick / Richland / Pasco) | ~$31,950 | ~$53,250 | ~$85,200 |
| Chelan / Douglas Counties (Wenatchee) | ~$28,200 | ~$47,000 | ~$75,200 |
| Grant County (Moses Lake) | ~$23,400 | ~$39,050 | ~$62,450 |
| Rural Eastern Washington (Ferry / Stevens / Pend Oreille) | ~$20,900 | ~$34,800 | ~$55,700 |
Note: King County’s $88,000 Very Low Income limit for a family of four is among the highest in the United States — a direct reflection of the Amazon, Microsoft, and technology-sector wage inflation that has swept the Seattle metro. Yakima County’s $37,500 Very Low limit, by contrast, reflects an agricultural economy built on farm labor wages that have not kept pace with housing costs driven by broader regional inflation. These figures are approximate and updated annually. Always verify at huduser.gov or with your local Washington PHA or WSHFC at (206) 464-7139.
2. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status
At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Mixed-status households qualify for prorated assistance.
Washington has large and long-established immigrant communities — particularly the Yakima Valley’s enormous Mexican and Central American farm worker population, the Seattle metro’s East and Southeast Asian communities (particularly Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and South Asian), Somali and East African communities in Seattle and Tukwila, and significant Marshallese communities in the Centralia and Olympia areas. Washington is also home to 29 federally recognized tribal nations.
3. Family Composition
Section 8 is open to single individuals, couples, families with children, elderly persons (age 62+), and persons with disabilities.
4. Criminal Background
Federal mandatory bars apply: lifetime sex offender registration and methamphetamine manufacturing in federally assisted housing. Individual Washington PHAs set their own additional screening criteria — KCHA and SHA have specific policies; contact your PHA directly.
5. No Outstanding PHA Debt
Any unpaid debt owed to any PHA — in Washington or another state — must be resolved before approval.
How Much Rent Assistance Will You Receive in Washington State?
Your Section 8 subsidy in Washington is based on your adjusted monthly income, HUD’s Fair Market Rents for your area, and your PHA’s payment standard.
| Washington Area | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle / King County | ~$2,200 | ~$2,750 | ~$3,700 | ~$4,550 |
| Snohomish County (Everett) | ~$1,850 | ~$2,300 | ~$3,100 | ~$3,800 |
| Pierce County (Tacoma) | ~$1,650 | ~$2,050 | ~$2,750 | ~$3,400 |
| Kitsap County (Bremerton) | ~$1,500 | ~$1,850 | ~$2,500 | ~$3,050 |
| Thurston County (Olympia) | ~$1,550 | ~$1,900 | ~$2,550 | ~$3,150 |
| Whatcom County (Bellingham) | ~$1,500 | ~$1,850 | ~$2,450 | ~$3,000 |
| Clark County (Vancouver) | ~$1,500 | ~$1,850 | ~$2,500 | ~$3,050 |
| Spokane County | ~$1,100 | ~$1,400 | ~$1,850 | ~$2,300 |
| Tri-Cities (Kennewick / Richland / Pasco) | ~$1,050 | ~$1,300 | ~$1,750 | ~$2,150 |
| Yakima County | ~$850 | ~$1,050 | ~$1,400 | ~$1,750 |
| Wenatchee / Chelan County | ~$1,000 | ~$1,250 | ~$1,650 | ~$2,050 |
| Rural Eastern Washington | ~$750 | ~$950 | ~$1,250 | ~$1,550 |
Note: King County FMRs — approximately $2,750 for a two-bedroom — are among the highest of any non-coastal county in the western United States, driven by Seattle’s technology economy. KCHA and SHA payment standards may be set above FMR in recognition of market conditions. Confirm current payment standards with your specific PHA.
Washington State Housing Authorities: Complete Directory
Western Washington — Seattle Metro
| PHA Name | City/County | Phone | Service Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) | Seattle | (206) 239-1500 | City of Seattle — largest city PHA in WA; separate from KCHA |
| King County Housing Authority (KCHA) | Tukwila | (206) 574-1100 | Suburban King County (not Seattle city) — one of the largest PHAs in the western US |
| Snohomish County Housing Authority (SCHA) | Everett | (425) 290-8499 | Snohomish County (Everett / Lynnwood / Marysville / Edmonds) |
| Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) | Tacoma | (253) 207-4400 | City of Tacoma and Pierce County |
| Pierce County Housing Authority | Tacoma | (253) 620-5400 | Pierce County outside Tacoma city limits |
| Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) | Bremerton | (360) 535-6100 | Kitsap County (Bremerton / Silverdale / Port Orchard / Poulsbo) |
| Thurston County Housing Authority | Olympia | (360) 753-8292 | Thurston County (Olympia / Lacey / Tumwater / Yelm) |
| Whatcom County Housing Authority | Bellingham | (360) 676-6887 | Whatcom County (Bellingham / Ferndale / Lynden / Blaine) |
| Clark County Housing Authority | Vancouver | (360) 993-8440 | Clark County (Vancouver / Camas / Washougal / Battle Ground) |
| Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) | Vancouver | (360) 694-2501 | City of Vancouver (separate from Clark County HA) |
| Skagit County Housing Authority | Burlington | (360) 428-1959 | Skagit County (Burlington / Mount Vernon / Anacortes) |
| Mason County Housing Authority | Shelton | (360) 427-9645 | Mason County (Shelton / Belfair) |
Eastern Washington PHAs
| PHA Name | City/County | Phone | Service Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane Housing Authority (SHA-Spokane) | Spokane | (509) 328-7550 | City of Spokane and Spokane County |
| Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) | Yakima | (509) 453-3106 | Yakima County (Yakima / Selah / Union Gap / Wapato / Sunnyside) |
| Kennewick Housing Authority | Kennewick | (509) 586-4357 | Kennewick / Benton County |
| Pasco Housing Authority | Pasco | (509) 547-3581 | Pasco / Franklin County |
| Richland Housing Authority | Richland | (509) 943-4340 | Richland / Benton County |
| Wenatchee Housing Authority | Wenatchee | (509) 663-6071 | Wenatchee / Chelan County |
| Grant County Housing Authority | Moses Lake | (509) 765-6169 | Grant County (Moses Lake / Ephrata / Quincy) |
Tip: Seattle’s SHA and King County’s KCHA are two entirely separate agencies with separate waitlists — apply to both simultaneously. In the Tri-Cities area, Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland have separate housing authorities — apply to all three. Contact WSHFC at (206) 464-7139 or wshfc.org for statewide affordable housing information, and use HUD’s PHA locator at hud.gov for a complete current list of all Washington PHAs.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing Vouchers in Washington State
Step 1: Identify Every Washington PHA Serving Your Area and Apply Simultaneously
In the Seattle area, apply to both SHA at (206) 239-1500 and KCHA at (206) 574-1100 simultaneously — they are separate agencies. In Pierce County, apply to both THA at (253) 207-4400 and Pierce County Housing Authority at (253) 620-5400. In the Tri-Cities, apply to Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland housing authorities simultaneously.
Step 2: Check for Open Waitlists
- Check SHA at seattlehousing.org and KCHA at kcha.org directly for waitlist announcements
- Visit wshfc.org for statewide affordable housing program updates
- Contact Northwest Justice Project at 1-888-201-1014 for housing legal guidance
- Dial 211 for local housing referrals statewide, 24/7
- Monitor affordablehousingonline.com for Washington waitlist openings
Step 3: Apply Immediately When a Waitlist Opens
- SHA and KCHA offer online pre-applications — act immediately when announced
- Apply to every open Washington PHA in your region simultaneously
- Consider applying to smaller Eastern Washington PHAs — Wenatchee, Moses Lake, rural counties — which may have shorter waits with portability to Western Washington later
Step 4: Maintain Your Waitlist Position
SHA (Seattle) and KCHA (King County) waits typically run 5 to 10+ years. THA (Tacoma) and Pierce County HA run approximately 3 to 6 years. Spokane HA typically runs 2 to 4 years. Smaller Eastern Washington PHAs often run 1 to 3 years when open.
Document all priority preferences: homeless status, DV survivor (VAWA protections apply), veteran, disability, and tribal member status. Update contact information after every move or phone number change. Respond immediately to all annual confirmation notices.
Step 5: Complete the Full Application and Search for Housing
Gather photo IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, proof of income (including Washington TANF — WorkFirst — award letters), bank statements, rental history, and benefit letters including Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) award letters.
If approved, you have 60 to 120 days to find housing. Washington’s statewide SOI law means landlords cannot legally refuse your voucher — report violations to WSHRC at (800) 233-3247 immediately.
Finding Section 8 Housing in Washington State
- KCHA Housing Resources: kcha.org — (206) 574-1100
- SHA Housing Resources: seattlehousing.org — (206) 239-1500
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC): wshfc.org — statewide affordable housing info; (206) 464-7139
- HUD Housing Locator: hudhousinglocator.com — search by Washington city or ZIP code
- Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC): hum.wa.gov — file SOI violations; (800) 233-3247
- Northwest Justice Project: nwjustice.org — free housing legal assistance statewide; 1-888-201-1014
- Columbia Legal Services: columbialegal.org — free legal assistance for agricultural workers and rural Washington; (206) 464-5911
Washington State Section 8 Housing: Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Section 8 waitlist in Washington State?
SHA (Seattle) and KCHA (King County) waits typically run 5 to 10+ years. THA (Tacoma) and Pierce County HA run approximately 3 to 6 years. Spokane typically runs 2 to 4 years. Smaller Eastern Washington PHAs — Wenatchee, Moses Lake, rural counties — often run 1 to 3 years. Apply simultaneously to every relevant PHA and consider smaller PHAs with portability as a long-term strategy.
Can a Washington State landlord refuse Section 8?
No — not legally. Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60.222) prohibits landlords statewide from refusing vouchers. File a complaint with WSHRC at (800) 233-3247 if a landlord refuses your voucher. Northwest Justice Project at 1-888-201-1014 provides free legal support statewide.
Are there housing resources for Washington’s Yakima Valley farm worker communities?
Yes. The Yakima Valley is home to one of the largest concentrations of agricultural workers in the United States — the majority Mexican and Central American, with a significant indigenous Mixtec and Zapotec population that speaks neither English nor standard Spanish as a first language. Farm workers face a housing crisis of extreme severity: wages are among the lowest in the state, housing scarcity is acute, and seasonal work patterns create year-round instability even for permanent residents.
Key resources include Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) at (509) 453-3106 for HCV and public housing in Yakima County; Columbia Legal Services at (509) 248-5110 for free legal assistance for agricultural workers including housing; Farmworker Justice and Washington Rural Organizing Project (WROP) for farm worker advocacy; Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic at (509) 865-5600 which coordinates housing referrals; Inspiration of Sunnyside for housing programs in the Lower Yakima Valley; and USDA Rural Development Washington at (509) 664-0240 for rural housing repair and rental assistance programs across Eastern Washington agricultural communities.
Are there housing resources for Washington’s large East and Southeast Asian communities in the Seattle metro?
Yes. The Seattle metro has among the largest and most established East and Southeast Asian communities on the West Coast — Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, and South Asian communities are deeply rooted in the International District, Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, and suburban South King County cities including Renton, Federal Way, Tukwila, and Auburn.
Key resources include International Community Health Services (ICHS) at (206) 788-3700 for health and social services with housing referrals for Asian communities; Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) at (206) 695-7600 for housing navigation and social services for Asian and Pacific Islander communities; Vietnamese Friendship Association (VFA) at (206) 760-1573; Filipino Community of Seattle at (206) 722-9372; and Somali Community Services Coalition at (206) 243-2040 for Seattle’s large Somali and East African community.
Are there housing resources for Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes?
Yes. Washington State has 29 federally recognized tribal nations, each with distinct housing programs administered through tribal housing authorities. Tribal members living on tribal land can contact their tribal housing authority directly — examples include Lummi Indian Housing Authority at (360) 384-2278, Muckleshoot Tribal Housing Authority at (253) 876-3050, Yakama Nation Housing Authority at (509) 865-2343, and Colville Tribal Housing at (509) 634-2810. Tribal members living off-reservation are eligible for regular HCV through their local PHA. The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board at (503) 228-4185 provides regional referrals for urban Native housing programs.
Are there housing resources for Clark County / Vancouver WA residents near Portland?
Yes. Clark County (Vancouver, WA) sits directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon — and has seen explosive housing cost growth as Portland-area renters priced out of Oregon crossed the river seeking relative affordability that has since been largely erased. Clark County has two separate housing authorities: the Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) at (360) 694-2501 (City of Vancouver) and the Clark County Housing Authority at (360) 993-8440 (unincorporated county). Apply to both simultaneously. A Washington Section 8 voucher cannot be used directly in Oregon without portability procedures — but a VHA voucher can be ported to Portland after 12 months if desired.
Are there housing resources for homeless individuals and families in Seattle?
Yes. Seattle and King County have invested heavily in a coordinated homelessness response system — though demand persistently outpaces supply. Key resources include DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) at (206) 464-1570 for permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless adults; Plymouth Housing at (206) 374-9409 for permanent supportive housing across Seattle; Compass Housing Alliance at (206) 474-1000 for transitional and permanent housing programs; United Way of King County’s Home & Hope program at (206) 461-3700; and the King County 211 system (dial 211) for emergency shelter and housing referrals 24/7.
Can I use my Washington Section 8 voucher in another state?
Yes. After living in your initial Washington-assisted unit for at least 12 months, you can port your voucher to another state. KCHA and SHA voucher holders occasionally port to Pierce County or Snohomish County for lower rents and more available units — or to other states. Contact your Washington PHA to initiate portability well in advance.
Additional Housing Resources in Washington State
- Seattle Housing Authority (SHA): seattlehousing.org — (206) 239-1500
- King County Housing Authority (KCHA): kcha.org — (206) 574-1100
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC): wshfc.org — statewide affordable housing finance and program referrals; (206) 464-7139
- 2-1-1 Washington: Dial 211 — emergency housing, shelter, utility assistance statewide, 24/7
- Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC): hum.wa.gov — SOI and housing discrimination complaints; (800) 233-3247
- Northwest Justice Project: nwjustice.org — free housing legal assistance statewide; 1-888-201-1014
- Columbia Legal Services: columbialegal.org — farm worker and rural housing legal assistance; (206) 464-5911
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS): acrs.org — Asian and Pacific Islander housing navigation; (206) 695-7600
- ICHS (International Community Health Services): ichs.com — Asian community social services and housing referrals; (206) 788-3700
- Somali Community Services Coalition: (206) 243-2040 — Somali and East African housing navigation
- DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center): desc.org — permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless; (206) 464-1570
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: wscadv.org — emergency housing for DV survivors statewide; (206) 389-2515
- HUD-VASH for Veterans: Contact VA Puget Sound Health Care System at (206) 762-1010 (Seattle) or Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center at (509) 434-7000 (Spokane)
- USDA Rural Development Washington: rd.usda.gov — rural housing programs for Eastern Washington; (509) 664-0240
- HUD-Approved Housing Counselors: hud.gov/housingcounseling
Final Thoughts: Getting Section 8 Housing in Washington State
Securing a Section 8 housing voucher in Washington State requires applying to every relevant PHA simultaneously, using Washington’s statewide SOI law actively, and planning for very long waitlists in the Seattle metro with strategic portability in mind.
- Seattle area: apply to both SHA and KCHA simultaneously — they are separate agencies with separate waitlists; the $88,000 Very Low income limit means many working families qualify
- Apply to every PHA in your county and surrounding counties simultaneously — Pierce County and Snohomish County often have shorter waits than King County
- Eastern Washington residents: apply to Spokane HA and your county PHA — shorter waits with portability to Western Washington after 12 months as a long-term strategy
- Use Washington’s statewide SOI law actively — report any landlord refusal to WSHRC at (800) 233-3247 immediately
- Yakima Valley farm worker families: contact Columbia Legal Services at (509) 248-5110 and YHA at (509) 453-3106 simultaneously — free legal assistance and housing programs specifically designed for agricultural worker households
- Dial 211 for immediate help with housing, emergency rental assistance, and other urgent needs while you wait
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Income limits, Fair Market Rents, payment standards, and program rules are updated annually by HUD. Washington state and local housing laws are also subject to change. Always verify current information with your local Washington PHA or WSHFC before applying.