What the Seattle Housing Authority does

The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing for low-income households in King County. It does not set housing policy for the city or county — it runs specific housing programs and owns buildings. SHA is separate from the City of Seattle's housing department and from King County government, though it works with both.

SHA's main job is to operate public housing and administer housing vouchers that let tenants rent from private landlords. It also runs some supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness. If you live in SHA housing or hold an SHA voucher, SHA is your landlord or the agency that pays part of your rent to a private landlord.

SHA serves King County, which includes Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, and surrounding areas. The agency is governed by a board of commissioners and funded through federal housing dollars, rent collected from tenants, and local funding.

Key Takeaways

  • SHA manages public housing buildings and housing voucher programs, but does not process emergency rental information or homelessness prevention funds — those come through the city or county.
  • If you live in SHA housing, SHA is your landlord and handles maintenance, lease enforcement, and rent collection.
  • If you hold an SHA voucher, you find your own rental unit and SHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent; you pay the rest.
  • SHA's waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers are typically closed or have years-long wait times, and you must meet income limits to be considered.
  • Contact SHA directly through its main office or website to ask about current program status, maintenance issues, or lease questions.

SHA's public housing and voucher programs

SHA owns and operates public housing — apartment buildings where SHA is the landlord. These buildings are scattered throughout King County. Rent is based on your income, typically 30 percent of what you earn. SHA also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, which gives you a voucher to use at a private rental property of your choice; SHA then pays the landlord a portion of the rent, and you pay the rest.

Both programs have income limits. For public housing, your household income must fall below 50 to 80 percent of the area median income, depending on the building. For vouchers, the limit is usually 50 percent of area median income. SHA determines whether you meet the income requirement based on recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of earnings.

Waiting lists for both programs are long. SHA's public housing waiting list and voucher waiting list are typically closed to new applications. When SHA opens an process period, it is usually for a limited time and fills quickly. You can contact SHA to ask when the next opening might occur, but the agency cannot predict exact dates.

How to reach SHA and report problems

The Seattle Housing Authority's main office is located in Seattle, and you can reach it by phone, mail, or through its website. If you are a current resident or voucher holder, you have a case manager or housing specialist assigned to you; contact them first for lease questions, maintenance requests, or rent issues.

For maintenance emergencies — no heat, broken plumbing, electrical hazards — call SHA's emergency line. Non-emergency maintenance requests go through your case manager or the online portal if SHA offers one. SHA is required to make repairs within a reasonable timeframe under state housing law, though response times vary by the nature of the repair.

If you have a dispute with SHA over your lease, rent calculation, or a maintenance issue, you can file a grievance through SHA's formal grievance process. SHA must provide you with written notice of the process and timelines. You may also contact a local tenant rights organization for guidance on your specific situation.

SHA housing and eviction

If you live in SHA housing, SHA must follow the same eviction process as any private landlord in Washington State. SHA must provide written notice of lease violations or non-payment, give you time to cure the problem, and file in court if you do not comply. SHA cannot evict you without a court order.

Washington State law requires landlords to provide 20 days' notice for non-payment of rent and 10 days' notice for other lease violations. SHA must follow these timelines. If you receive an eviction notice from SHA, you have the right to respond in court and present your side.

If you are facing eviction and cannot pay rent, you may be able to access emergency rental information through the City of Seattle or King County — not through SHA directly. Contact 211 or your local housing authority to learn about funds that may still be available.

SHA vouchers and finding a rental unit

If you hold an SHA Housing Choice Voucher, you are responsible for finding a rental unit that meets SHA's standards and that the landlord is willing to rent to you with a voucher. Not all landlords accept vouchers, and some charge higher deposits or require additional screening. SHA will inspect the unit to may support it meets housing quality standards before approving the lease.

Once SHA approves the unit and the lease, SHA pays the landlord directly each month. You pay the difference between SHA's payment and the actual rent. Your portion is typically capped at 30 percent of your household income. If the rent is higher than SHA's payment standard for that area, you pay the full difference.

If you have trouble finding a landlord who will accept your voucher, SHA may have a landlord liaison or outreach program that can help. Some local nonprofits also information voucher holders in finding units. Ask SHA for referrals when you receive your voucher.

SHA and other housing programs

SHA does not administer emergency rental information, homelessness prevention funds, or rapid rehousing programs. Those programs are run by the City of Seattle, King County, or contracted nonprofits. If you need help paying rent right now or are at risk of eviction, contact 211 or your city or county housing office, not SHA.

SHA does run some supportive housing programs for people experiencing chronic homelessness, usually in partnership with nonprofits that provide case management and services. If you are interested in supportive housing, ask SHA or a local homeless services provider about current openings.

If you are looking for affordable housing more broadly — including private market units, nonprofit housing, or other programs — SHA's website and local housing search tools can point you toward options beyond SHA's own programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for SHA housing?

SHA's waiting lists are typically closed and have wait times measured in years when they are open. The exact wait time depends on the program and your household type. Contact SHA directly to ask about current list status and whether you can add your name when the list reopens.

What if SHA is not making repairs to my unit?

Contact your case manager or SHA's maintenance line in writing and keep a copy. If SHA does not respond within a reasonable timeframe, file a formal grievance through SHA's grievance process. You may also contact a local tenant rights organization or the Washington State Attorney General's office for guidance.

Can I use my SHA voucher anywhere in King County?

Yes, you can search for units anywhere within SHA's jurisdiction, which covers King County. However, the rent must fall within SHA's payment standard for that area, and the landlord must be willing to accept the voucher. Some areas have higher payment standards than others.

What happens if my income goes up while I have an SHA voucher?

SHA will recalculate your rent contribution based on your new income. Your portion may increase, but you will not lose the voucher solely because your income rose. SHA will notify you of the change and give you time to adjust your budget.

Is SHA the same as the City of Seattle housing office?

No. SHA is a separate public agency that manages housing buildings and vouchers. The City of Seattle has its own housing department that handles policy, zoning, and some information programs. If you are unsure which agency handles what you need, call 211 and they can direct you to the right office.