Beginning January 17, 2024, the Seattle Housing Authority will open the opportunity for individuals with low income a chance to receive a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as a Section 8 voucher). This voucher provides rental assistance for people to rent from landlords throughout the Seattle rental market.

Applications will be available online through the SHA's website (Seattle Housing Authority) at the following link: https://www.seattlehousing.org/. Applicants will be required to establish an SHA Portal user account on SHA's website to log in and apply to the voucher list.

Candidates will be chosen at random whenever vouchers are available. The chance of being drawn is the same no matter when households apply. Random selection ensures that all applicants have an equal chance of being drawn at any time.

People may apply to the list any time beginning January 17, 2024.

Application is open to adults 18 years or older or emancipated minors, no matter where they currently live, however, applicants selected for a voucher will initially be required to use the voucher within the city of Seattle for a minimum of one year.

Applicants with a total household income greater than 50 percent of Area Median Income are not eligible for a voucher.

SHA will review eligibility and verify income at the time applicants are selected from the list. Applicants who meet the voucher program eligibility requirements and meet the program preferences will be served.

Those preferences are applicants with a total household income of 30 percent or less of Area Median Income at the time of selection or for the 12 months prior to selection and applicants who are homeless at the time of selection or have been in the prior 12 months. Applicants with a total household income of 31 through 50 percent will be returned to the list until all eligible applicants who meet the preferences have been served. Applicants with a total household income above 50 percent are not eligible for a voucher and will be removed from the list.

Information in multiple languages and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at: https://www.seattlehousing.org.

Applicants who need assistance applying online, want a paper application, want to apply in person, need accommodation for a disability, or need translation or an interpreter can contact SHA's Housing Choice Voucher staff at 206.239.1674 or by email at voucherlist@seattlehousing.org. 

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