Housing / Utilities

Low-income housing is usually categorized as either "transitional" or "permanent". Transitional housing usually has a time limit (anywhere from a month or two for motel voucher programs up to two years in some programs). It is generally intended for people transitioning out of homelessness, abusive situations, etc.

Permanent low-income housing is pretty much like any other rental, except that it is low-cost, is targetted to low-income populations, and is usually subsidized either by the government or by a charitable agency.

The Tenants Union
206-723-0500
TDD:206-723-0523
3902 S Ferdinand, Seattle 98118

Information on landlord/tenant laws and advocacy for tenants.
Verified 12/09

Solid Ground Landlord/Tenant Counseling
206-694-6767
1501 N. 45th Street, Seattle 98103

Eviction counseling (advice for those who receive eviction notices), info on tenants' rights and responsibilities. Some rental assistance for one-time crisis. M, W, Th 10:30am-4:30pm.

Solid Ground is the former Fremont Public Association.
Verified 1/03

Solid Ground Mortgage Counseling
206-694-6766
1501 N. 45th Street, Seattle 98103

Foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, advice on reverse equity mortgages (which give seniors money for their home while they still live there).

Solid Ground is the former Fremont Public Association.
Verified 1/03

The Urban League Of Metropolitan Seattle
206-461-3792
105 14th Ave., Seattle 98122

Mortgage counseling & low-income housing lists for minorities. Also deal with landlord/tenant problems.
Verified 12/09

King County Housing Authority
206-574-1100 for application and office location

King County Housing Authority, Section 8 Office
206-214-1300
15355 65th Ave. S., Suite 200, Seattle 98188

Covers King County outside of the city limits of Seattle and Renton.

Subsidies for rental housing for elderly, disabled, and families. Waiting lists for all programs; as of December 2002, Section 8 is not currently taking new applications due to the length of their waiting list.
Verified 12/02

Seattle Housing Authority
206-239-1500
907 NW Ballard Way, #200, Seattle 98107

Rental housing for low-income families, disabled/ elderly/ handicapped individuals. Includes Section 8 housing. 9:30am-4:30pm M-F. 9-noon Sat. There are waiting lists; no emergency housing.
Verified 12/02

Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program
206-329-7303
1406 Tenth Ave., Seattle 98122

Rental and cooperatively-managed housing for low-moderate income individuals and families.
Verified 12/02

Housing Resources Group
206-622-2893
1651 Bellevue Ave., Seattle 98122

Manages affordable housing: Downtown, Belltown, Capitol Hill, First Hill, South Seattle. Income must be three times fixed rent.
Verified 12/02

Downtowner Apartments
206-682-2601
4th Ave. S & Jackson St., Seattle

This HUD-subsidized, 240-unit commercially operated building of studio & 1BR apartments tries to maintain "affordable" rents. 9 storey, elevator. Rental Manager (as of December 2002): Fred Bradley.
Verified 12/02

Sojourner Place
206-545-4200
5071 8th Ave. NE, Seattle 98105

Transitional housing for adult, single, homeless, and low income women. M-F 9-6.
Verified 12/02

University District Youth Center
206-526-2992
4516 15th Avenue NE, 98105

Transitional and permanent housing arrangements and case management. M–Th 1-4 pm, and by appointment. Ages 13-23.
Verified 12/02

Family Services
206-826-3050
615 Second Ave., Suite 150, Seattle 98104

Transitional housing program (motel vouchers) for families. Eviction prevention for public housing residents.
Verified 1/03

Hopelink Transitional Housing
425-869-1146 Redmond
425-454-7022 Bellevue

Transitional housing for families (one or two adults with children) in Redmond & Bellevue. Sliding scale. Up to two years. Must be employed or in school. No alcohol or drugs permitted.
Verified 12/02

William Booth Center
206-621-0145
811 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 98134

Men's facility. Breathalizer, drug test required. Several options:

• 4 emergency beds (2 week limit, meals provided).
• Dormitory-style transitional shelter $70/week, bunk bed plus locker (6 month limit, meals not provided).
• Transitional housing at 30% of gross income. Case manager available.

YWCA of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County
206-461-4888
1118 Fifth Ave., Seattle 98101

Several low-income housing programs (call for details).
Verified 12/02

YWCA of South King County
425-255-1201
1010 S 2nd St., Renton, WA 98055

Rental assistance. Call 425-255-1201 for screening . Might need to leave a return phone number for call back.
Verified 12/02

Central Area Motivation Program/ Federal Energy Assistance Program
206-812-4940
722 18th Ave., Seattle 98122

Energy assistance for residents of Seattle, generally November through May only.
Verified 11/09

ELIA Program
206-684-3688

Seattle City Light program for customers facing disconnection and have exhausted federal Energy Assistance Program benefits.
Verified 12/02

Low Income Special Utility Rate,
Seniors and People with Disabilities Utility Discount Program,
Project Share
206-684-0268
618 Second Ave., Room 250, Seattle 98104

50% discounts from City Light or other Seattle utilities. Typically not available if you live in subsidized housing.
Verified 12/02

Minor Home Repair
206-448-5751

Cities of Seattle, Tukwila, Seatac only. Although this program is operated by Senior Services of Seattle/King County it provides low-cost home repair for low-income homeowners regardless of age. Also, disabled renters may be eligible for disability access modification with the consent of the landlord.
Verified 11/02

Seattle Office of Housing - "HomeWise" Weatherization Program
206-684-0244

Free home weatherization for low-income homeowners and renters. Also low interest loans for emergency repairs.
Verified 12/02

Wellspring Family Services Housing Services
206-902-4271
1900 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144

Eviction prevention: Provides limited financial assistance for low-income (50% or less of HUD income guidelines) families and individuals living in Seattle, as well as advocacy, eviction prevention, and housing stability services.
Verified 9/09.

Housing Justice Project (HJP)
206-267-7090 (information line only, cannot take messages)
Room W314 in the King County courthouse at 3rd and James

Free legal help to eligible low-income tenants who would otherwise appear without legal representation at their eviction hearings. Individuals who have a Show Cause Hearing on the same day as their visit to the HJP receive priority. Services include information and educational materials about the eviction process; referrals; legal advice; negotiations; and representation at eviction hearings. Serves North King County and Seattle residents. Open 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. M-F. No appointment required.
Verified 04/08

Housing Justice Project (HJP) of South King County
206-267-7090 (information line only, cannot take messages)
Conference Room 1281, Kent Regional Justice Center, 401 4th Avenue North, Kent

Free legal help to eligible low-income tenants who would otherwise appear without legal representation at their eviction hearings at Kent Regional Justice Center. First come, first served. Open 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. M-F.
Verified 04/08

• For minor assistance with rent and utilities, see also Emergency Funds and Referrals.
• For emergency shelter, see Shelters.

• As of July 2009, the Shelter Listings site has an excellent national listing of shelter resources, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent affordable housing resources: www.shelterlistings.org.

Feel free to copy all or part of this document for any non-commercial purpose. Notification and credit would be appreciated.

The master of this page is http://www.scn.org/crisis/housing.html.