Housing Help

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Whether you're trying to keep the home you have, find a new one, or get back into housing, I'm really glad you're here. Housing worries can keep you up at night. Let's take it one step at a time.

Here is the easy first step: if you might lose your home soon, dial 211 and ask what rent help is open in your county. If you got court papers, call the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855.657.8387 today.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise money, a unit or a spot in any program.
• This guide shares general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, talk with a legal aid office.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

What kinds of housing help are there?

Housing help usually falls into three buckets. Knowing which one you need makes every phone call faster.

• Keeping your home. Help with late rent or utilities, talking with your landlord, and knowing your rights as a renter.
• Finding a home you can afford. Housing authorities, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and income restricted apartments.
• Getting back into housing. If you've lost your home, Coordinated Entry and rapid rehousing help people move back inside.

I'm behind on rent. What should I do?

First, take a breath. Being behind is scary, but acting early gives you the most choices.

• Talk with your landlord early and honestly. Ask about a payment plan, and get any deal in writing.
• Dial 211 about rent help. Programs open and close, so ask what is available in your county right now.
• Read every notice carefully and keep it. Take a photo of it too.
• If you have kids at home, ask DSHS about Additional Requests for Emergent Needs (AREN), which can help some TANF families with a housing emergency. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-locations
• Call a HUD approved housing counselor at 800.569.4287 for help with budgeting and avoiding eviction. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/counseling

BUNKLY TIP

Get it in writing

Any payment plan or promise from your landlord, ask for it in a text, email or letter. It protects you and them!

Can I get a lawyer in an eviction?

Many Washington renters with low incomes may be able to get a lawyer in an eviction case. The Eviction Defense Screening Line can tell you if you qualify.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

• The court will not call you to offer a lawyer. You need to call the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855.657.8387 or apply online through the Northwest Justice Project.
• If your hearing date comes and you still don't have a lawyer, go to the hearing anyway and ask the judge for more time to get one.
• Interpreters are available in every language.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://nwjustice.org/eviction-help

Can my landlord evict me without a reason?

Washington has rules about when a landlord can end a tenancy and what notice they give. Check the details on the official page and decide what fits your situation.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

• Read the reason on any notice you get, and call legal help if you think it isn't valid.
• Some cities, like Seattle, Tacoma and Burien, have extra local protections. Ask legal aid what applies where you live.

How much can my rent go up?

Washington has rules about rent increases for many rentals, including how often rent can go up, how much, and how much notice you get. The Department of Commerce and the Attorney General explain them.

Check the details on the official page and decide what fits your situation.

Sources: https://www.atg.wa.gov/landlord-tenant and https://www.commerce.wa.gov/housing-policy/hb1217-landlord-resource-center/

• If you think an increase breaks the rules, you can respond to your landlord in writing or file a complaint with the Washington Attorney General's office at 800.551.4636. Legal aid can help too.

How do security deposits work in Washington?

Washington has rules about security deposits, like move in checklists, normal wear and tear, and how deposits come back after you move out. Check the details on the official page and decide what fits your situation.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

What if my home needs repairs?

Washington has rules about keeping rental homes livable, like heat, water, electricity and plumbing, and about how repairs get requested and made. Check the details on the official page and decide what fits your situation.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18

Put repair requests in writing and keep a copy. Before you hold back rent or make repairs yourself, talk with legal aid first.

BUNKLY TIP

Put repair requests in writing

Send repair requests by text, email or letter, and keep a copy with the date. Photos help too!

How do I find a place I can afford?

• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Vouchers help pay rent to a private landlord. They're run by local housing authorities, and many have waiting lists. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
• Public housing. Run by housing authorities such as the Seattle Housing Authority, King County Housing Authority, Tacoma Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Snohomish County, Spokane Housing Authority and Vancouver Housing Authority. Their numbers are in the county list later in this guide.
• Income restricted apartments. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission funds affordable rental properties across the state and lists them on its site. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://wshfc.org/
• Get on more than one list. Waiting lists are long. Signing up for several gives you more chances.

I already lost my home. How do I get back in?

• Coordinated Entry. Every Washington county uses Coordinated Entry. You talk with a trained worker once, and they work to match you with housing programs that fit. Dial 211 to find your county's access point.
• Rapid rehousing. HUD describes it as housing with short or medium term rental help plus support services. Each program has its own rules. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/coc-esg-virtual-binders/coc-program-components/permanent-housing/rapid-re-housing/
• Need a bed tonight? See Guide 2, Emergency Shelter Tonight.

Getting back into a home is a process, not a single phone call. Keep going. Every call gets you a little closer.

From the Bunklow team

How do I get help with heating and utility bills?

• LIHEAP. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps with heating bills. In Washington it is run by the Department of Commerce through local community action agencies. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.commerce.wa.gov/community-opportunities/liheap/
• Ask your utility. Many Washington utilities have their own discount programs for customers with low incomes. Call the number on your bill and ask.
• Dial 211 to find your local energy assistance provider.

What if I'm treated unfairly?

Washington has fair housing rules about being treated differently because of things like race, religion, disability, sex, having children, or immigration status. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.hum.wa.gov/

• You can file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission. Call 800.233.3247.
• You can also file with HUD online at https://www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint
• If you think a landlord is punishing you for asking for repairs, call legal help.

What are dispute resolution centers?

Washington has dispute resolution centers (DRCs) in most counties. They help landlords and tenants talk through problems like late rent or repairs with a neutral person, often before anything goes to court.

• Resolution Washington lists the dispute resolution center for each county. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://resolutionwa.org/
• Using a DRC is voluntary. You can still call legal help at the same time.

I live in a manufactured or mobile home park. What's different?

Manufactured and mobile home communities have their own set of rules. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.20

• The Washington Attorney General's Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program helps homeowners in parks with disputes about the law. Call 866.924.6458, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.atg.wa.gov/manufactured-housing-dispute-resolution-program
• If you get an eviction notice in a park, call 855.657.8387.

BUNKLY TIP

Keep a log

A simple notebook with dates, names and what was said can make a big difference if you ever need help from legal aid or a court.

Questions people ask a lot

Federal help that works in every state

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Washington

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

King County (Seattle)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pierce County (Tacoma)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Snohomish County (Everett)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Spokane County (Spokane)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Clark County (Vancouver)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Thurston County (Olympia)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kitsap County (Bremerton)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Yakima County (Yakima)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Whatcom County (Bellingham)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Benton and Franklin Counties (Tri-Cities)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other Washington counties

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My housing plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

Please let me know if you have any questions

If something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up. Please share it with anyone who could use it. We don't run these programs. We don't manage properties. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 21, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Affordable living. Simplified

Download the PDF

Last updated October 21, 2026