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Last Updated
13 hours ago
About Housing Authority City of Bellingham
The Housing Authority City of Bellingham (PHA Code: WA025) provides housing assistance to eligible residents in Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. This authority manages approximately 2,468 assisted housing units.
These units include 1,964 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 504 Public Housing units. The authority also operates Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs. Please be aware that all waiting lists for the HCV, PBV, and Public Housing programs are currently closed to new applicants.
For eligibility, applicants must meet specific income limits. For example, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Bellingham, WA MSA is currently $54,200 per year. All program waiting lists remain closed at this time.
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Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Aug 10, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The following waitlists will be open on August 10th @ 10am: Project Based Voucher (PBV) - CITY (2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom) and Project Based Voucher (PBV) - County (2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom).
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Aug 10, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The following waitlists will be open on August 10th @ 10am: Public Housing - City (3 Bedroom, 4 Bedroom) and Public Housing - County (3 Bedroom, 4 Bedroom).
Other Programs
1 programThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
All applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program are done online through our Applicant Portal.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority City of Bellingham portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority City of Bellingham
Check Current Status
Housing Authority City of Bellingham currently has 2 open waiting lists (PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority City of Bellingham, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $54,200/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority City of Bellingham portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority City of Bellingham, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority City of Bellingham manages approximately 2,468 assisted housing units (1,964 Section 8, 504 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Bellingham. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority City of Bellingham
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority City of Bellingham are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Bellingham. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Housing Authority City of Bellingham are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority City of Bellingham manages approximately 504 Public Housing units in Bellingham. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority City of Bellingham provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Bellingham. This program serves approximately 1,964 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority City of Bellingham free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority City of Bellingham?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority City of Bellingham?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority City of Bellingham?
Housing Authority City of Bellingham Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority City of Bellingham are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bellingham, WA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $54,200. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $22,750 | $37,950 | $60,700 |
| 2 Persons | $26,000 | $43,400 | $69,400 |
| 3 Persons | $29,250 | $48,800 | $78,050 |
| 4 Persons | $32,500 | $54,200 | $86,700 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $58,550 | $93,650 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $62,900 | $100,600 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $67,250 | $107,550 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $71,550 | $114,450 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority City of Bellingham — including across state lines.