Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Washington
Washington has 32 housing authorities managing a combined 334 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 194 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 58%. This data was last verified on Aug 6, 2026.
Washington state has 32 housing authorities overseeing a total of 177 housing waitlists for various affordable housing programs. Currently, 71 of these lists are open to new applications, representing a 40% open rate, while 80 lists are closed. The Washington State Department of Commerce serves as the state housing agency, coordinating efforts across the region.
Several types of housing assistance programs are available. Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) have 32 lists, with 5 currently open. Public Housing programs are also common, with 32 lists and 18 open for applications. Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) offer 26 lists, 10 of which are open. Beyond these, a general category of "Other" programs has 6 lists with 3 open, and another "other" category has 5 lists with 3 open. Other specific programs include Mainstream (10 lists, 1 open), VASH (4 lists, 1 open), Senior Housing (2 lists, 1 open), Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) (2 lists, 1 open), Affordable Housing (2 lists, 2 open), and Elderly/Disabled Housing (2 lists, 2 open). Seven RAD lists are all currently closed. A range of more specific programs also have openings, such as LIHTC (1 list, 1 open), Seattle Senior Housing Program (1 list, 1 open), Supportive Housing (1 list, 1 open), and USDA Agriculture Housing (1 list, 1 open).
Geographically, housing authorities are active across the state. Bellingham and Everett each have 2 housing authorities, with Everett offering 4 open lists. Clarkston and Burlington each have 1 housing authority with 2 open lists. Bremerton also has 1 housing authority. For those seeking housing in high-demand areas, it is advisable to apply to King County and Seattle's separate housing authorities, as well as to surrounding Snohomish and Pierce counties, due to significant demand in these regions. The status of waitlists can change; for example, the Housing Authority City of Longview in Longview recently changed its PBV list from closed to open, and the Housing Authority of City of Yakima in Yakima changed its Public Housing list from closed to open. Conversely, the Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver in Vancouver changed a PBV list from open to closed.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in Washington include Public Housing (20 open), Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (5 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (13 open), Mainstream (2 open), RAD, VASH (2 open). Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Washington right now are Walla Walla (26), Silverdale (26), Wenatchee (20), Olympia (15), and Tacoma (12) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Housing Authority of Of Whatcom County — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for Washington
To qualify for assistance in Washington, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Washington legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Washington State Department of Commerce to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.