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Financial Help for Rent in King County and Seattle WA
King County is one of the most expensive rental markets in the country, which makes its network of rental assistance resources especially important. The county is served by a layered system (with organizations listed below). Hopelink covers north and east King County, Catholic Community Services and Solid Ground anchor the city, and government programs throughout King County and the state are options. There are also area focused charities and churches that may provide financial help with back rent or a deposit.
King County operates under a "Coordinated Entry" model, where housing resources are highly localized. Note: To access most rent assistance programs in Seattle or King County, you must first clear the 2-1-1 (Crisis Connections) screening. The county utilizes a "diversion" strategy, meaning they prioritize small, one-time cash grants to pay rent or a deposit for those who are on the verge of eviction but have a sustainable income going forward. Below, resources are categorized by geographic local area to help you find the provider for your specific township or neighborhood. Another tip is that in King County, your eligibility for rent payment help or a deposit is often determined by your zip code. You must contact the agency assigned to your specific region.
Primary County-Wide Housing Resources & Rent Assistance Programs
These organizations manage the largest federal and state grant pools (EPRAP/CDBG) for the entire region.
- United Way of King County (Home Base): In partnership with the Housing Justice Project, this is the largest source of back-rent payments in the county. Intake: https://www.uwkc.org/renthelp/. The United Way of King County also oversees the Keep King County Housed program and acts as the central intake for 2-1-1 services.
- DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services): Provides AREN (Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs) and Diversion Cash Assistance to families with children. Phone: 877-501-2233.
- Catholic Community Services (CCS): Offers the "Housing and Essential Needs" (HEN) program for those with limited income and disabilities. Phone: 206-328-5755.
- St. Vincent de Paul - Seattle/King County: Runs a centralized helpline that connects callers to local neighborhood "conferences." They are one of the few agencies that conduct home visits to assess needs and can provide significant one-time grants for rent and utilities. Address: 5972 4th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108. Helpline: 206-767-6449. Read more about King County Washington St. Vincent housing assistance.
- Jewish Family Service (JFS): Financial assistance for move-in costs and eviction prevention. Address: 1601 16th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-461-3240.
- Seattle Homeless Outreach: This charity service helps the homeless, or people behind on their rent and close to eviction, find help. Learn about shelters, possible grants to pay rent, motel rooms for a crisis and more. Details are at https://seattlehomeless.org/.
- Salvation Army King County: Offers financial assistance for rent/utilities and emergency shelter. Address: 1101 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101. Phone: 206-447-9944
Seattle (City Proper)
- Byrd Barr Place (formerly CAMP): Serves Central Seattle residents with emergency rent and utility assistance. Address: 722 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-812-4940.
- Solid Ground: Provides housing counseling and limited financial assistance for tenants at risk of losing their homes. Also acts as a Regional Access Point for Coordinated Entry and offers tenant counseling to prevent legal eviction fillings. Address: 1501 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103. Phone: 206-694-6700 or learn aboutSolid Ground housing assistance programs.
- Wellspring Family Services: Offers specialized rent grants and "diversion" services specifically for households with minor children.. Address: 1900 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144. Phone: 206-826-3050.
- Neighborhood House: Administers several housing stability programs, including homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing for immigrants and refugees. Address: 1225 S Weller St, Suite 510, Seattle, WA 98144. Phone: 206-461-8430.
- Chief Seattle Club: Serves Native Americans only. Case managers assist with rent, utility bills, and finding affordable housing. Address: 410 2nd Ave. Extension S., Seattle, WA 98104. Phone (206) 965-1288
- Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Provides housing search assistance and emergency financial grants to pay rent or a deposit. Address: 105 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-461-3792.
- North Helpline: Restricted to zip codes 98125, 98133, 98155, and 98177. Address: 12736 33rd Avenue NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98125. Phone: 206-365-8043.
- Queen Anne Helpline: Limited financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and move-in costs for Queen Anne and Magnolia residents. Address: 311 W McGraw St, Seattle, WA 98119. Phone: 206-282-1540.
- Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Focuses on housing stability for urban residents, providing move-in assistance and back-rent to prevent displacement. Address: 105 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-461-3792. Website: https://urbanleague.org/.
- El Centro de la Raza: Specialized housing assistance for the Latino community and Beacon Hill residents. Address: 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144. Phone: 206-957-4634.
- DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center): Emergency assistance, including for rent or other housing costs, for vulnerable adults in the downtown core. Address: 515 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: 206-464-1570.
- Share & Care House: Homelessness prevention, government housing grants, transitional housing, and the Independent Families self-sufficiency programs are offered as part of Share and Care House assistance.
- Southwest Youth & Family Services (West Seattle Helpline): The primary contact for West Seattle housing emergencies. Address: 6400 Sylvan Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126. Phone: 206-937-7680.
- St. James Cathedral Outreach: Emergency financial assistance and referrals. Address: 804 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: 206-264-2091.
- Blessed Sacrament Church: Provides outreach and emergency funds via SVDP. Address: 5041 9th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Phone: 206-547-3020
South King County (Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way)
- Multi-Service Center (MSC): The designated Community Action Agency for South King County, offering monthly rent grants via an online inquiry portal. They also help people access homeless prevention in Seattle and King County as a another form of support. The non-profit serves Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, and Burien. They manage rent assistance and transitional housing for the southern portion of the county.
- Federal Way Address: 1200 S 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003. Phone: 253-838-6810.
- Kent Address: 24437 Russell Road, Suite 200, Kent, WA 98032. Phone: 253-854-4406.
- Kent Youth and Family Services: Focused on preventing homelessness for families in the Kent School District through emergency cash grants. Address: 232 Second Ave S, Kent, WA 98032. Phone: 253-859-0300.
- Reclaiming Our Greatness: Intervention for families and young adults (18–24) in the Renton/South King area. Address: PO Box 1385, Renton, WA 98057. Phone: 425-524-5101
- Vine Maple Place: Holistic stability program for families in South King County, including rent help and financial literacy. Address: 21730 SE 272nd St, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Phone: 425-432-2119.
Eastside and North King County (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah)
- Hopelink: The regional hub for the Eastside and North King County. Serves Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Shoreline, Sno-Valley, and Bothell. They offer one-time emergency rent help to prevent eviction. Address: 14812 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98007. Phone: 425-869-6000.
- Bellevue LifeSpring: Direct rent and security deposit help for families with children in Bellevue. Address: PO Box 50172, Bellevue, WA 98015. Phone: 425-451-1175.
- Issaquah Community Services: A volunteer-run organization providing "gap" rent funding for residents of the Issaquah School District. Address: PO Box 669, Issaquah, WA 98027. Phone: 425-837-3125.
- United Churches Emergency Fund: Assistance for North Seattle and Shoreline zip codes (98105, 98115, 98125). Address: 4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Phone: 206-524-7885.
Specialized Support and Legal Services
- Housing Justice Project (HJP): Free legal aid for low-income tenants facing eviction. Address: 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (King County Courthouse). Phone: 206-267-7069.
- Lifewire: Assistance for domestic violence survivors in Bellevue and the Eastside. Address: PO Box 7401, Bellevue, WA 98008. Hotline: 425-746-1940.
- Unity Fellowship Seattle Senior Outreach: Housing stability support for older adults. Address: 2901 S Jackson St, Unit 501, Seattle, WA 98144. Phone: 206-328-5659.
- Community Roots Housing: Affordable housing units and tenant stability programs. Address: 1620 12th Avenue, Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-329-7303.
Long-Term Rent Subsidized Housing and Section 8 Vouchers
- Seattle Housing Authority (SHA): Manages Section 8 and Public Housing within Seattle city limits. There may also be, from time to time, some high end apartments that accept section 8 vouchers in the city. Address: 190 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Phone: 206-239-1500.
- King County Housing Authority (KCHA): Administers section 8 housing vouchers for all of King County outside the city of Seattle. Address: 600 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188 .Phone: 206-574-1100. Or look here for possible affordable housing that does not have a wait list.
Specialized Support and Legal Services for Renters
- Housing Justice Project (HJP): Provides pro-bono (free) attorneys for low-income tenants facing eviction hearings at the King County Courthouse. Address: 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (King County Courthouse). Phone: 206-267-7069.
- Lifewire: Assistance for domestic violence survivors in Bellevue and the Eastside. Address: PO Box 7401, Bellevue, WA 98008. Hotline: 425-746-1940.
- African American Elders Program: Offers housing navigation and advocacy for seniors of color. Phone: 206-328-5659.
- Unity Fellowship Seattle Senior Outreach: Housing stability support for older adults. Address: 2901 S Jackson St, Unit 501, Seattle, WA 98144. Phone: 206-328-5659.
- Community Roots Housing: Affordable housing units and tenant stability programs. Address: 1620 12th Avenue, Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98122. Phone: 206-329-7303.
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