Washington Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Washington CARES+ Programs:

• Washington Eviction Rent Assistance Program 

The Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP) Grant is intended to prevent evictions by paying past due, current due, and future rent, targeting limited resources to those with the greatest needs while working to distribute funds equitably. Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state has distributed nearly $365 million in federal funds to help with COVID-19 response and relief efforts across Washington. This includes $100 million to provide rent assistance to low-income renters at risk of homelessness, using an existing framework to send rent payments directly to landlords.

• State of Washington COVID-19 Crisis LIHEAP Benefit Program 

Washington State’s Department of Commerce last week provided up to $1,000 in rental assistance and up to $500 in energy assistance for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

• State of Washington Bothell Emergency Assistance Program 

The city of Bothell is partnering with the Northshore Senior Center to dispense $131,200 in grant relief dollars to eligible Bothell residents who lack sufficient income or resources to meet their financial obligations due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We are doing primarily rental assistance and utility assistance but could do other assistance if the need was there.”

• Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program 

The Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is a modification of a Rental Assistance Program funded by the Bremerton Housing Authority and the City. The City and BHA each put $100,000 into the Rental Assistance Program. An additional $268,383 from the CARES Act Federal Stimulus package was added to the Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the requirements temporarily changed (income limits were broadened). The program provides up to 3 months of assistance to help pay rent (up to 70% of the contract rent), or up to three months’ rent for eviction prevention (with a pay or vacate notice). Eligible recipients live within the municipal boundaries of Bremerton, are 18 or older, and have a combined household income between 30% and 80% of the area median income.

• COVID-19 Emergency Fund Program: Clallam County 

Clallam County commissioners have vetted an agreement with Olympic Community Action Programs to provide rental and mortgage assistance during COVID-19. The proposed agreement would distribute $214,900 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to county residents who are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to circumstances related to the pandemic.

• Emergency Rent Asssitance Program: Clark County 

A $5.5 million assistance program intended to help Clark County residents struggling to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic officially launched Monday. The Emergency Rent Assistance Program will serve an estimated 2,500 to 3,500 low-income households. Eligible households can receive one-time assistance that covers up to three months of past, present or future rent.

• Edmonds Housing and Supplementary Relief Program 

Grants from $1,000 are available to individuals and/or households up to two members who meet the income criteria. Grants of up to $1,500 are available to households of three or more members who meet the income criteria. The grants for household expenses are available to families with income below 60% of Snohomish County’s average.

• State of Washington Ellensburg Rental Assistance Program

The Ellensburg City Council approved a contract with HopeSource to manage $75,000 of CARES funding to go toward helping community members who are struggling to pay for housing.y

• Island County Human Services COVID-19 Assistance Program

Island County Human Services received nearly $1 million in CARES funding to provide rental assistance and other forms of short-term aid (food, utilities, medical, transportation).

• King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program

King County has created a new program to assist households economically impacted by the coronavirus due to illness, loss of income or unemployment who have been unable to meet rent obligations and are at risk for eviction. Over $41 million is dedicated to helping local area residents.

• State of Washington King County Rental Assistance Program

United Way of King County, the City of Seattle, and King County announced a partnership to expand the United Way’s Home Base program to help provide rental assistance to King County households. An initial investment of $5 million in public and private funds will go to qualifying residents who lost all or part of their income due to the pandemic. The funds, which will go into the United Way’s Community Relief Fund, are estimated to help around 2,000 families stay in their homes.

• COVID-19/Coronavirus Impact Rent Assistance Program: King County

MSC currently has limited funding to support households directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with rent assistance. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
 Live in Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, or Tukwila
 Have been directly impacted by the crisis and be able to provide documentation of impact
 Have a current monthly income that falls within the income limits

• Kitsap County COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

If you are a Kitsap County resident and been impacted financially by COVID-19, you may be eligible for rent or  mortgage assistance for up to 3 months on overdue or currently owed rent or mortgage payments.

• State of Washington Lacey Financial Assistance Program

On Oct. 15, Lacey City Council voted to give $779,050 to families hit hard by the pandemic. The money comes from a second round of the federal CARES Act. The cash is funneled through the state to the city. Lacey partnered with the Community Action Council to make sure all the money goes to people in need.

• State of Washington Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance Program

Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is processing applications for the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance program. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for a one-time rent assistance for up to $1,500 paid directly to the landlord.

• Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Pierce County  

To help its residents avoid eviction and potentially homelessness, Pierce County is offering up to two months of rental assistance for struggling community members. The money is being offered as part of the county’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, though the county says normal restrictions have been loosened to help as many people as possible qualify for the assistance.

• Port Angeles Rental Assistance Program

The city of Port Angeles has provided $386,822 in utility and rental assistance to nearly 2,000 who are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic, the City Council heard this week.

• City of Richland’s COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance Program

The COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance Program will provide temporary housing assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for a maximum of up to three months for past due mortgage or rent, and utility payments. Persons applying must meet all applicable income and eligibility requirements. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Applications will be accepted until all funds are allocated.

• Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance: San Juan County

In response to the COVID-19 closures, Orcas Island Community Foundation has created an emergency fund to help people while they are out of work. OPAL is partnering with OICF and San Juan County to distribute emergency housing assistance to help people cover their rent or mortgage during the shutdown.

• COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program: City of Spokane

In partnership with the City of Spokane, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the federal government, we are excited to have the opportunity to assist you with rental payments if COVID-19 has left you with financial hardships.

• City of Tacoma  Rental Assistance Program

The City of Tacoma has a $1.2 million housing trust fund dedicated to rental assistance. People who live within the City of Tacoma, who make 50% or less of the median household income in Pierce County, and who have been economically impacted by COVID-19 can apply for the funding. People are eligible to receive one-time awards up to $1000 which will go toward paying rent. The money will go directly to landlords.

• State of Washington DC COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), a $6.2 million program funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), to provide rental assistance to low-income renters who are in arrears due to the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• State of Washington DC  Housing Stabilization Grants Program

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new $10 million investment in Housing Stabilization Grants to provide support for the District’s portfolio of affordable and small housing providers. The grants will utilize federal CARES Act funding to cover rent arrears during the COVID-19 public health emergency in order to assist renters and to stabilize properties that may be heading toward distress.

• State of Washington DC 202 Assist Program

A four-week rent relief fundraiser for Ward 8 families.
 The John Wall Family Foundation is working with Housing Counseling Services and Lydia’s House for this program. These are two organizations that fight every day for Ward 8 families. I hope you will assist me in raising funds for these families impacted by the D.C. Rent Crisis and COVID-19. Any amount donated will help us make a difference.

• State of Washington DC DHCD Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Wednesday a new rental assistance effort. “Using $1.5 million in federal home funds, DCHD (Department of Housing and Community Development) will provide rental assistance to low-income tenant households sitting in properties facing significant financial impact as a result of Covid-19.”