Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Programs:

  Voucher Program: 

Housing Choice Vouchers:  Households must be citizens or legal immigrants who meet a PRIORITY, which includes all groups EXCEPT single individuals or couples below age 50 who are not disabled or not a victim of domestic violence. Households with children and households with a disabled or elderly, or near-elderly member are taken on a first-come, first-served basis from the waiting list.  The demand for Vouchers is very great and funding for this program is limited.  The Voucher waiting list is currently CLOSED.  Please check back for future announcements.  See Eligibility for current income and priority criteria.   
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Mainstream Vouchers and Housing for Persons with Disabilities:  Available to single, disabled households. Must meet same qualifications as the Housing Choice Vouchers.  The Voucher waiting list is currently CLOSED.  Please check back for future announcements.
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Family Unification Program:  Targeted allocation of a very limited number of Vouchers for families for whom housing assistance is critical to the stabilization or re-unification of their family. This program is administered in partnership with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) through the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Referrals for this program are made by DCFS.
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Project-Based Voucher Units:  Several apartment and single-family communities in Thurston County that are owned by not-for-profit organizations have Voucher assistance attached to the units.  If you are interested in the Project-Based opportunities, you should make your interest known on the Voucher Application.  When a vacancy occurs, preference on the Voucher waiting list is given to those households interested in living in one of these units.

  Family Self-Sufficiency Program:

A limited number of families on the Tenant-Based Voucher program have the option of participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. This program aims to transition working households from rental assistance to financial independence. The participant signs a five year contract to become financially independent of public benefits. Counselors work with participants to create an action plan with self-sufficiency goals As the tenant’s income increases, an escrow fund is created in the name of the participant. After successful completion of the program, the participant is entitled to withdraw funds from the escrow account. Many families have used these funds as a down-payment to purchase a house.  How do I apply?  
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