Best Housing & Financial in Washington — 16 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project, the King County Bar, and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

16 Resources

1. Washington State Housing Finance Commission — Free

WSHFC at 1000 2nd Ave Suite 2700 in Seattle administers Home Advantage and Opportunity first-time-homebuyer mortgages with down-payment assistance, plus the WSHFC Multi-Family Bond program funding affordable rental housing. Free homebuyer education seminars. 206-464-7139 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

206-464-7139 · 1000 2nd Ave Suite 2700, Seattle, WA 98104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. DSHS Community Services Division — Free

DSHS Community Services Offices statewide (HQ at 712 Pear St SE, Olympia) administer TANF/WorkFirst, ABD, Aged-Blind-Disabled assistance, and emergency funds for low-income Washington mothers. Apply at washingtonconnection.org or call 877-501-2233 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

877-501-2233 · 712 Pear St SE, Olympia, WA 98504 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Salvation Army Women's Shelter - Seattle — Free

The Salvation Army Seattle Social Services at 1101 Pike St runs emergency shelter, transitional housing, and the Family Emergency Shelter for moms with kids. Walk-in intake; 24/7 phone at 206-587-0503. Free.

206-587-0503 · 1101 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 · 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Tacoma Community House — Free

Tacoma Community House at 1314 S L St runs ESL, citizenship, employment services, and immigrant women's programs across Pierce County since 1910. Sliding scale; many programs free for income-eligible women. 253-383-3951 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

253-383-3951 · 1314 S L St, Tacoma, WA 98405 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Spokane Housing Authority — Free

Spokane Housing Authority at 55 W Mission Ave manages public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher program, and the VASH veterans-housing partnership across Spokane County. Waitlists open periodically. 509-328-2953 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

509-328-2953 · 55 W Mission Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. HopeLink — Free

Hopelink at 14812 Main St in Bellevue runs east King County's emergency food pantries, financial assistance for rent and utilities, free transportation, English classes, and energy assistance. Apply at hopelink.org. 425-869-6000 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

425-869-6000 · 14812 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98007 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Vancouver Housing Authority — Free

VHA at 2500 Main St in Vancouver manages Section 8 vouchers, public housing properties, and the Family Self-Sufficiency program that lets working parents accrue escrow savings as their income rises. 360-694-2501 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

360-694-2501 · 2500 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD.gov locates Washington's HUD field office in Seattle and lists every Section 8 administrator, Continuum-of-Care lead, and PHA in the state. Useful when filing a fair-housing complaint.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care page lists Washington's 14 CoCs and the lead agencies coordinating shelter placement — Seattle/King County, Pierce County, Spokane, and the Balance of State CoC.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

LIHEAP funds Washington's Energy Assistance Program administered through Community Action Agencies — heating help November-March and crisis assistance year-round. Apply at your local CAA.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Salvation Army Washington corps offer emergency food, rent and utility help, and Angel Tree assistance — including the major Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver corps with year-round programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities of Washington — Catholic Community Services and Catholic Charities Eastern Washington — provide rental assistance, refugee services, and counseling regardless of religion.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways across Washington — King County, Pierce County, Spokane, Snohomish, Skagit, and more — fund 211, family-supports grants, and basic-needs programs targeted at single mothers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat.org locates Washington's 30+ affiliates including Habitat for Humanity Seattle King County, Habitat Tacoma/Pierce, and Habitat Spokane — all building shared-equity homes for working women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise affiliates across Washington (Bellingham, Snohomish, Seattle, Spokane, Pierce, and more) shelter homeless families with children together through host congregations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Washington?
Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Washington.
Are housing & financial resources in Washington free?
16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Washington are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Washington have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Everett.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Washington?
Featured entries include Washington State Housing Finance Commission, DSHS Community Services Division, Salvation Army Women's Shelter - Seattle, Tacoma Community House, Spokane Housing Authority.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 16 Washington housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.