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The Washington Section 8 housing program is part of the federal affordable housing program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the federal level. In Washington, HUD provides funding to 36 local housing authorities that qualify, administer and maintain approximately 57,781 rental units throughout the state. WA Section 8 housing is offered to beneficiaries who qualify as low income households. Low income housing in Washington is offered through both project-based and tenant-based housing programs. Because not all 34 counties offer both types of housing program, the applicant should contact his or her local housing authority to find out which programs it offers.

WA Section 8 tenant-based programs work with the private sector to provide low income house rentals for qualified Section 8 recipients. A Washington housing authority works with participating landlords in the private sector to provide affordable housing to Section 8 beneficiaries. Section 8 tenant-based programs utilize the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) system, in which housing beneficiaries choose a qualifying housing unit from the private market. The WA housing authority then pays a portion of the tenant’s monthly rent directly to the landlord. In Washington Section 8 housing programs, the vouchers are tied to qualifying applicants. If these tenants wish to move in the future, the benefits will move with them, as long as they still qualify for benefits. Project-based programs are tied directly to certain housing units. Therefore, if a renter in this program wishes to move, he or she may do so, but he or she also may lose housing benefits.

Section 8 housing in Washington is based largely on a household’s combined income. In general, if a household’s combined assets and income are less than the median annual in its county, then the household will qualify for housing benefits. Applicants with incomes that are only 30-50 percent of the area’s median will receive preference on the Section 8 waiting lists. These Section 8 housing programs will cover 70 percent of the rental fees, with the difference being the responsibility of the renter. Other groups that receive preference by Section 8 housing in Washington are seniors, the disabled, veterans and those displaced by emergency circumstances. However, Washington’s Section 8 program does not extend benefits to applicants who do not pass the program’s background screening, including those on the sex offender registry, those convicted of manufacturing illegal substances or those who have defaulted on payments to other subsidized housing programs.

Learn the Requirements for Section 8 in Washington

To answer the question “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing in Washington?” an applicant can begin by researching Section 8 eligibility requirements for his or her county. Guidelines for Section 8 eligibility in Washington vary depending on the petitioner’s area. However, all Section 8 petitioners must satisfy eligibility criteria on the local, state and federal levels before they can participate in the Section 8 low income housing program. To satisfy WA Section 8 eligibility requirements, a candidate must qualify in terms of income, residency and background checks. Any applicant who fails one of these three Section 8 eligibility requirements will not be eligible for Section 8 housing.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 in Washington

To understand how to apply for Section 8 housing in Washington, residents can first find out what it takes to qualify for the program in the local area. Both The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the local Washington Public Housing Agency (PHA) establish conditions for applying to the program. To complete a Washington HUD Section 8 application, eligible candidates for the Section 8 program can apply in person by visiting a local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Alternatively, the Washington online application for low income housing offers housing petitioners a convenient way to apply for Section 8 benefits.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Washington

The low income housing waiting lists in Washington are maintained for each of the state’s 39 counties by 29 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). New applications are placed on a WA Section 8 housing program application waiting list when the number of applications submitted to a PHA exceeds the district’s funding abilities or available Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs). As funding becomes available, the PHA will select households from the waiting list for a final review of eligibility before providing the household with a HCV. Currently, the Washington Section 8 housing program application waiting lists maintained by some PHAs are very long, temporarily closed or indefinitely closed.

Learn About Section 8 Denial in Washington

“What are the reasons for Section 8 denial in Washington?” some housing applicants may ask. Several different types of mistakes on an application or problems with a housing candidate’s background can violate Section 8 eligibility requirements in Washington. Section 8 housing disqualifications in WA are especially common because of the amount of time that an applicant spends on the low income housing waiting list. Housing candidates on the Section 8 waiting list will often face household changes that result in an ultimate denial of housing assistance. Even beneficiaries who are currently participating in the Section 8 program may face housing disqualifications if they violate the program’s rules. Filing a Section 8 denial appeal in Washington offers one way for housing petitioners to challenge a Section 8 ineligibility decision.