Washington Statewide Housing Programs — How Do I Get In? (FCS, AHAH, GOSH, CBRA, HEN, Section 8 and more)
Updated: 4 hours ago
There is no single application for housing help in Washington. No one office and no one form covers every program. Apply to every program you might qualify for, and keep applying — waitlists open and close, and funding changes. Every program below depends on you meeting its rules and on the program having funding or an open slot right now. Nobody — including Mysti's — can promise you a unit, a voucher, or a check. This page tells you who qualifies, who decides ("the door"), and what to do first for each program. We re-check every source monthly; last checked September 19, 2026.
A straight word about help from Mysti's: Mysti's helps some clients with housing search, move-in, rent, or utility costs, but only through specific funded programs, only when you meet that program's eligibility, and only while funds last. Nobody — not us, not any agency — can promise you a unit, a voucher, or a check. Work every door below at the same time.
Jump to a program
1. Foundational Community Supports (FCS) — Supportive Housing
5. HEN (Housing & Essential Needs) and ABD (Aged, Blind, or Disabled) cash assistance
9. Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV), Family Unification Program (FUP), and Mainstream vouchers
11. Youth and young adult homelessness (Office of Homeless Youth)
14. Eviction prevention, rental assistance, and eviction legal defense
15. Utility assistance (LIHEAP and utility discount programs)
16. Housing Trust Fund (how affordable buildings get built — not a door for individuals)
Looking for what is open in your county this month? Every county has its own directory: Washington housing help by county. For the statewide open/closed voucher list, see what is open right now.
1. Foundational Community Supports (FCS) — Supportive Housing
What it is: FCS Supportive Housing is a Medicaid (Apple Health) benefit for adults with complex health or behavioral-health needs. An FCS provider helps you look for housing and helps you keep it once you move in. FCS does not pay your rent — it pays for the support services around housing.
Who it's for
Adults 18+ enrolled in (or eligible for) Apple Health/Medicaid
People with complex physical and/or behavioral health needs
People who are chronically homeless, in restrictive residential/institutional care, or at risk of losing housing
Who the door is: Wellpoint (the state's Third-Party Administrator for FCS) determines FCS eligibility and refers you to a local FCS Supportive Housing provider.
Do this first
Ask your case manager, behavioral-health provider, or hospital social worker to check if you look eligible for FCS.
Find an FCS Supportive Housing provider near you through Wellpoint's provider list.
Enroll with that FCS provider — they will help you search for and keep housing.
Straight from the program (verified September 2026)
The three "risk factors" FCS and its sister programs (AHAH, TAP, HRSN) look for: chronic homelessness (homeless 12+ months, or 4+ episodes adding up to 12 months in 3 years); frequent or long institutional stays (2+ contacts or 90+ consecutive days in the past 12 months); or 2+ stays in adult residential care, assisted living, or an adult family home in the past 12 months. If one of these describes you, say so plainly when you ask.
You have the right to choose your FCS provider, and your provider must document that you were told this and chose them voluntarily. If you are already enrolled and want to confirm your enrollment or change providers, ask your current provider or the FCS Third-Party Administrator (Wellpoint) — that is a step for people already in FCS, not the way to apply.
Free FCS 101 sessions run monthly (3rd Wednesday) for the public and providers, and the New Provider Orientation covers FCS, AHAH, and TAP together. Ask for the schedule at HCAFoundationalCommunitySupports@hca.wa.gov.
Where Mysti's fits: Mysti's is a contracted FCS Supportive Housing provider in Washington. Enrollment, timing, and openings depend on program eligibility and funding — nobody can promise a slot. If you are already a Mysti's client, ask your case manager; if you are not, start with 2-1-1 and your county directory, and use our contact page and we will route you to the right door.
Ask for it by name: "FCS Supportive Housing services"
Official page: hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/… (checked September 19, 2026)
2. Apple Health & Homes (AHAH)
What it is: AHAH pairs Medicaid-funded FCS Supportive Housing services with a rental-assistance voucher (tenant-based or project-based) for people with the most serious risk factors. AHAH is a partnership of HCA, Commerce, and DSHS. AHAH does not accept applications directly — eligibility is confirmed only through the enrollment steps below.
Who it's for
18+, enrolled in Medicaid (or likely eligible) and eligible for FCS Supportive Housing
Currently facing one of these risk factors: chronic homelessness, dependence on costly institutional care, or dependence on restrictive residential/treatment settings
Who the door is: Wellpoint is the AHAH "coordinating entity" — it confirms AHAH eligibility once you are enrolled in FCS Supportive Housing and have located housing with your FCS provider's help.
Do this first
Enroll in FCS Supportive Housing first (see #1) — AHAH is only reachable through this step.
Work with your FCS Supportive Housing provider to search for a unit; some AHAH-funded buildings also require Coordinated Entry enrollment.
Once housing is identified, your FCS provider requests AHAH eligibility confirmation from Wellpoint.
How AHAH referrals actually happen (verified September 2026)
Only FCS Supportive Housing providers can refer. For each AHAH building, Wellpoint runs a weekly case-conferencing meeting where providers present enrollees for open units. If your provider is not in the county's HMIS system, you will be asked to sign a consent so they can discuss you in that meeting.
Have these ready — they are what an AHAH application asks for: documentation of a disabling condition; documentation or attestation of chronic homelessness; proof of unearned income (SSI/SSDI letters) and earned income (pay stubs); Social Security card; tribal affiliation documents if that applies to you.
King County AHAH buildings as of early September 2026 (per Wellpoint's AHAH unit notices — verify with your FCS provider before you count on anything): Sweetgrass Flats (Chief Seattle Club), 42 units, still reporting available units on September 4, 2026, priority for tribal affiliation, income at or below 30% of area median (property office 206-453-0700); Birch Grove (DESC), 33 units, reported nearly full on September 1, 2026, for people with a serious mental illness plus a chronic health condition or a substance-use disorder, income at or below 30% of area median.
Providers and case managers: AHAH eligibility questions go to AHAH@wellpoint.com.
Ask for it by name: "Apple Health and Homes (AHAH) rental assistance" — ask your FCS Supportive Housing provider
Official page: hca.wa.gov/assets/program/fact-sheet-apple-hea… (checked September 19, 2026)
3. GOSH (Governor's Opportunity for Supportive Housing) & the HCS Housing Subsidy (Bridge / Acute Care Hospital)
What it is: These are DSHS Home and Community Services (HCS) programs for people receiving Medicaid long-term-care services who are moving out of a state hospital, other institution, or an acute-care hospital into community housing. A contracted GOSH provider or Community Choice Guide (CCG) helps with housing search and setup, plus a housing subsidy voucher.
Who it's for
People receiving HCS long-term-care (Medicaid LTSS) services
People currently at Eastern or Western State Hospital, or who can be diverted from those hospitals (GOSH)
HCS clients discharging from a hospital or nursing facility who need a Bridge or Acute Care Hospital subsidy voucher
Who the door is: Your HCS case manager (or hospital/nursing-facility social worker) screens you for GOSH or the HCS Housing Subsidy and can refer you to a Community Choice Guide.
Do this first
Ask your HCS case manager, or the discharge planner/social worker at the hospital or facility, whether you qualify for GOSH or an HCS Housing Subsidy voucher.
If issued a subsidy voucher, wait for confirmation you have reached the top of the list before starting your housing search (this applies to the Bridge subsidy; it does not apply to GOSH).
Ask to be connected with a Community Choice Guide for help with the housing search and move-in setup. Note: the subsidy can help with some lease fees (e.g., washer/dryer, parking, trash, utility admin, renters insurance) but not cable, internet, storage, or pet fees, and you generally have about 6 months to secure housing once a voucher is issued.
What the program rules say (verified September 2026)
GOSH eligibility, per DSHS service standards: Medicaid-eligible, eligible for home-and-community-based waiver or state-plan services, and living in — or being diverted from admission to — a state psychiatric hospital. ALTSA clients in a residential setting who were discharged or diverted from a state hospital in the previous 18 months and want to live independently are also eligible; the ALTSA Supportive Housing Program Manager has to confirm this in the DSHS record first.
Once a GOSH referral is made, the supportive housing provider must tell the Program Manager and your HCS case manager in writing within 2 business days whether it accepts, and if it does, make first contact with you within 10 business days, where you currently live. If you are waiting longer than that, ask your case manager what happened.
GOSH pays for two kinds of help: pre-tenancy (housing search, applications, working with housing authorities and property managers, transition and crisis planning, lease and subsidy paperwork, move-in) and tenancy support (home visits, landlord coordination, crisis response, connecting you to health and behavioral-health care, help staying in compliance with your lease).
The HCS Bridge Subsidy works like a Housing Choice Voucher: you pay about 30% of your income toward rent and the subsidy pays the landlord the rest while you pursue a permanent federal voucher. Since April 1, 2026, new HCS Subsidy clients must stay functionally and financially eligible for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) to keep the voucher. Case managers: the HCS Subsidy application cover sheet asks for the client's ProviderOne number, not the ACES ID.
The typical layered path DSHS describes: MIST (Motel Interim Stay for Transitions — short motel placement while the search is underway) → Bridge Subsidy → GOSH supportive housing services → Community Choice Guide setup (section 19) → ongoing tenancy support.
DSHS runs a recurring HCS Subsidy training series and optional Case Consult Hours for Community Choice Guide and supportive-housing provider staff. Providers: start at the DSHS Office of Housing and Employment page, dshs.wa.gov/altsa/office-housing-and-employment.
Where Mysti's fits: Mysti's is a DSHS-contracted Community Choice Guide provider (see section 19). Mysti's is not currently listed as a GOSH supportive-housing provider; your HCS case manager holds the list of contracted GOSH providers in your region.
Ask for it by name: "GOSH" or "HCS Housing Subsidy (Bridge or Acute Care Hospital voucher)" and "Community Choice Guide referral"
Official page: dshs.wa.gov/altsa/supportive-housing-services (checked September 19, 2026)
4. CBRA — Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance
What it is: CBRA is a Commerce-funded, long-term rental subsidy for high-risk people and households with behavioral-health conditions, paired with long-term supportive services from partner agencies (HCA's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery and DSHS ALTSA).
Who it's for
People with significant behavioral-health conditions who are high-risk for housing instability
People also connected to a supportive-services program (e.g., FCS or ALTSA supportive housing)
Who the door is: Local CBRA grantee agencies (behavioral-health providers/regional leads) decide referrals — Commerce itself does not take direct applications.
Do this first
Ask your behavioral-health provider, case manager, or Coordinated Entry access point whether a local CBRA grantee is taking referrals in your area.
Ask for the current CBRA referral contact for your region (Commerce keeps a statewide referral-contact list).
Complete the referral with that local agency, including any required risk assessment.
Eligibility in plain terms (from the Commerce CBRA program guidelines, state fiscal year 2026)
Household income at or below 50% of area median income, and
At least one adult in the household with all three of: a documented behavioral-health condition (a mental-health condition or substance-use disorder that affects daily living and is expected to last), eligibility for a long-term supportive-services program, and a documented need for a long-term rent subsidy with no other suitable resource available.
Priority goes to households leaving (or needing to leave) a state psychiatric hospital or a community inpatient psychiatric bed within the past 12 months. CBRA agencies are required to keep working relationships with those hospitals' discharge planners — so if you are in one, tell your discharge planner you want a CBRA referral.
Referrals can also come through Coordinated Entry, substance-use treatment providers, and corrections. Each CBRA agency sets its own referral and prioritization policy, so ask what theirs is.
CBRA is Housing First: services are voluntary, and your housing cannot be conditioned on taking part in them. CBRA pays the subsidy; the day-to-day tenancy support usually comes from an FCS Supportive Housing provider working alongside it — ask for both.
Ask for it by name: "CBRA — Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance referral"
Official page: commerce.wa.gov/permanent-supportive-housing/cbra (checked September 19, 2026)
5. HEN (Housing & Essential Needs) and ABD (Aged, Blind, or Disabled) cash assistance
What it is: ABD is a monthly cash grant for people 65+, blind, or with a disabling health condition. Anyone approved for ABD is automatically referred to HEN. People who don't qualify for ABD but can't work for at least 90 days due to a physical or mental condition can also get a HEN-only referral. HEN can help pay for essential-needs items and, depending on local provider funding, rent or utility assistance.
Who it's for
Washington residents 18+ (or emancipated minors)
Unable to work at least 90 days due to physical/mental incapacity, or age 65+/blind
Meet income, resource, and citizenship/immigration requirements
Who the door is: DSHS determines financial and medical eligibility for the HEN referral; the actual services (rent/utility help, essential items) are delivered by a local HEN provider under contract with Commerce.
Do this first
Apply through Washington Connection (washingtonconnection.org), by phone at 877-501-2233, in person at a Community Services Office, by fax (888-338-7410), or by mail.
Complete the financial interview (phone hours 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Mon–Fri) and, if eligible, the medical-eligibility review with a DSHS social worker.
Once referred, contact your local HEN provider directly to ask what services (rent/utility assistance, essential items) they currently have funding for.
Ask for it by name: "ABD cash assistance" and/or "HEN referral"
Official page: dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/hous… (checked September 19, 2026)
6. Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA)
What it is: A HUD grant, administered by Commerce, that funds rental assistance in specific apartment units set aside for extremely low-income, non-elderly adults with disabilities who need in-home long-term-care services. You cannot apply to Commerce directly, and property owners cannot refer you directly either.
Who it's for
Ages 18–61 at lease signing
At or below 30% of area median income
Receiving, or eligible to receive, Medicaid-paid in-home long-term-care services and supports
Who the door is: Your DSHS Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA/ALTSA) long-term-care case manager coordinates access to 811 units — ask them.
Do this first
Confirm you have (or can get) a Medicaid long-term-care case manager through DSHS HCS.
Ask that case manager to check for open Section 811 units in your area using DSHS's regional housing contacts.
Complete the housing application your case manager provides for the specific 811 property.
Ask for it by name: "Section 811 Project Rental Assistance unit" — ask your HCS long-term-care case manager
Official page: commerce.wa.gov/permanent-supportive-housing/sectio… (checked September 19, 2026)
7. Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
What it is: A federal rent subsidy administered locally by each Public Housing Authority (PHA). You choose a private rental that accepts the voucher; the PHA pays part of the rent directly to the landlord.
Who it's for
Very low-income households (thresholds vary by PHA and household size, generally around 50% of area median income)
Elderly, disabled, and family households
Who the door is: Each local PHA runs its own waitlist and decides when it opens and who is prioritized — there is no single statewide waitlist.
Do this first
Find every PHA that serves your county using HUD's PHA contact list, and check whether their waitlist is open.
Apply online at each open list you can qualify for as soon as it opens — many open only briefly.
Keep your contact information current with every PHA you applied to and answer their update requests promptly, or you may be dropped.
Ask for it by name: "Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list"
Official page: hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Cont… (checked September 19, 2026)
8. Public housing and PHA-owned senior/disabled properties
What it is: Some PHAs and nonprofit operators own and manage their own apartment buildings (public housing, HUD Section 202 senior buildings, and other subsidized properties) with their own waitlists, separate from the voucher program.
Who it's for
Low-income households generally; many properties set a minimum age (62+ or 55+) for senior buildings
People with disabilities for some properties
Who the door is: Each property or PHA manages its own waitlist and application.
Do this first
See the "Finding open senior housing right now" section below for the search method.
Contact each property/PHA directly — most require a separate application per building.
Ask whether they also have a Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, since some run both.
Ask for it by name: "public housing waiting list" or "Section 202 senior housing waiting list"
Official page: hud.gov/states/washington (checked September 19, 2026)
9. Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV), Family Unification Program (FUP), and Mainstream vouchers
What it is: These are special-purpose HUD vouchers layered onto the standard Housing Choice Voucher program. EHV federal funding is being wound down nationally in 2026 (HUD announced funds would be exhausted around mid-2026), so PHAs are generally not adding new EHV households; FUP (for families involved with child welfare, including youth aging out of foster care) and Mainstream vouchers (for very low-income households that include a person with a disability) continue through PHAs with dedicated federal funding.
Who it's for
EHV: previously for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or recently homeless (new referrals are limited/closed in most areas as of 2026)
FUP: families where a lack of housing is a factor in a child welfare case, or young people 18–24 aging out of foster care (FYI vouchers)
Mainstream: non-elderly households with a family member who has a disability
Who the door is: Your local PHA administers these; FUP referrals typically come through the local child-welfare/DCYF office; EHV referrals typically came through a Continuum of Care.
Do this first
Ask your local PHA which of these voucher types it currently has open.
For FUP/FYI, ask your DCYF case worker or independent-living program about a referral.
For Mainstream, ask the PHA directly whether their Mainstream waitlist is open — some PHAs run it as a set-aside within their main Housing Choice Voucher list.
Ask for it by name: "Family Unification Program voucher," "Foster Youth to Independence voucher," or "Mainstream voucher"
Official page: hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vo… (checked September 19, 2026)
10. Veterans housing: HUD-VASH and SSVF
What it is: HUD-VASH combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management for veterans experiencing homelessness who need intensive, ongoing support. SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) provides rapid re-housing and homelessness-prevention case management and short-term financial help for low-income veteran households.
Who it's for
HUD-VASH: veterans experiencing homelessness, especially those with complex, ongoing needs
SSVF: veteran households who are homeless or at imminent risk of losing housing
Who the door is: A VA Medical Center, VA homeless program staff, or a local SSVF grantee agency screens and refers veterans; PHAs issue the HUD-VASH voucher itself.
Do this first
Contact your local VA Medical Center's homeless program or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 (24/7).
Ask specifically about HUD-VASH (if you need ongoing intensive case management) or SSVF (if you need rapid re-housing or prevention help).
Find a local SSVF grantee agency by name from the VA's SSVF provider list if you want to go directly to a community provider.
Ask for it by name: "HUD-VASH" or "SSVF — Supportive Services for Veteran Families"
Official page: department.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash and department.va.gov/homeless/supportive-services-for-ve… (checked 2026-09-19)
11. Youth and young adult homelessness (Office of Homeless Youth)
What it is: Commerce's Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) funds local organizations that provide shelter, host homes, rental assistance, and prevention/family-reconciliation services for youth and young adults ages 12–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability. It does not provide direct assistance itself.
Who it's for
Youth and young adults ages 12–24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
Youth aging out of foster care
Who the door is: A local OHY-funded provider in your area (youth shelter, drop-in center, or host-home program) — find it on OHY's service-provider list.
Do this first
Look up the OHY service-provider list or resource map for your county.
Contact the nearest listed provider directly — school counselors and McKinney-Vento liaisons can also help make this connection.
Ask about Young Adult Housing and Rental Assistance grants and any local Anchor Community Initiative in your area (currently active in four communities working toward "functional zero" youth homelessness).
Ask for it by name: "Office of Homeless Youth provider" or "youth housing and rental assistance"
Official page: commerce.wa.gov/ohy (checked September 19, 2026)
12. Domestic violence housing and safety
What it is: Washington's domestic-violence programs use a "Housing First" approach — getting survivors into stable housing quickly, then providing flexible financial assistance and advocacy. The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) lets survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking use a substitute address for state and local records.
Who it's for
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking
Who the door is: Your local DV program (found through WSCADV's program directory or 2-1-1) intakes survivors and can connect you to Housing First flexible funds; the Washington Secretary of State's office runs ACP enrollment.
Do this first
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) or your local WSCADV member program for confidential help and safety planning.
Ask the local program's advocate about Domestic Violence Housing First flexible financial assistance.
Ask about enrolling in the Address Confidentiality Program if hiding your address is part of your safety plan.
Ask for it by name: "Domestic Violence Housing First" and/or "Address Confidentiality Program"
Official page: wscadv.org/projects/domestic-violence-housing-… and sos.wa.gov/statewide-programs/address-confiden… (checked 2026-09-19)
13. Reentry housing (Department of Corrections)
What it is: DOC's Reentry Housing Assistance Program (RHAP) offers time-limited housing assistance — up to $700 a month for up to six months — to people transferring to partial confinement or releasing to the community, when housing would otherwise be a barrier to release.
Who it's for
People who are incarcerated and preparing to release or transfer to partial confinement, who need housing assistance to do so
Who the door is: Your DOC reentry counselor/community corrections officer screens and approves RHAP; they also connect you to community reentry housing providers.
Do this first
Ask your DOC classification counselor or community corrections officer about RHAP well before your release date.
Ask about Graduated Reentry and any local reentry housing providers or vouchers in the county you plan to release to.
If you're already released, contact your assigned community corrections officer, who can still connect you with reentry housing resources.
Ask for it by name: "Reentry Housing Assistance Program (RHAP)"
Official page: doc.wa.gov/corrections/community-reentry/reent… (checked September 19, 2026)
14. Eviction prevention, rental assistance, and eviction legal defense
What it is: Direct pandemic-era statewide rental-assistance programs (like the old Eviction Rent Assistance Program) have wound down; rental-assistance dollars now flow mainly through county/local programs (for example, King County's "Keep King County Housed") funded in part by Commerce. Separately, Washington law (RCW 59.18.640) gives low-income tenants facing an eviction lawsuit a right to appointed legal counsel, run by the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA).
Who it's for
Rental assistance: low-income renters behind on rent or facing eviction for nonpayment (income limits and funding availability vary by county/provider)
Right to counsel: any indigent tenant who has been served an eviction (unlawful detainer) summons and complaint
Who the door is: Your county or local Community Action Agency runs rental-assistance intake; the statewide Eviction Defense Screening Line refers tenants to appointed counsel.
Do this first
If you've received an eviction summons, call the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 1-855-657-8387 or apply online right away — don't wait.
Ask 2-1-1 or your county's human-services department what local rental-assistance program is currently accepting applications (funding-dependent; may close without notice).
Know your rights under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) regardless of which assistance program you use.
Ask for it by name: "Eviction Defense Screening" (if you've been served papers) or "[county name] rental assistance program"
Official page: ocla.wa.gov/programs/eviction-defense (checked September 19, 2026)
15. Utility assistance (LIHEAP and utility discount programs)
What it is: LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federal program, run in Washington through local community action agencies, that helps pay heating/cooling bills and can help repair or replace unsafe heating/cooling equipment. Most utilities also run their own separate discount programs.
Who it's for
Washington households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (income limits vary slightly by household size)
Available once per program year (October–September), regardless of heat source
Who the door is: A local LIHEAP provider agency in your county — Commerce does not take applications or decide eligibility directly.
Do this first
Use Commerce's LIHEAP county map tool to find your local provider agency.
Schedule an appointment with that agency and ask what documents you need (ID, proof of residence, income, and heating costs).
Also ask your electric/gas utility directly about its own discount or payment-assistance program — these are separate from LIHEAP and can be combined.
Ask for it by name: "LIHEAP energy assistance"
Official page: commerce.wa.gov/community-opportunities/liheap (checked September 19, 2026)
16. Housing Trust Fund (how affordable buildings get built — not a door for individuals)
What it is: The Washington Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is the state's main capital-funding source for building and preserving affordable rental housing. Since 1986 it has funded more than 59,000 units statewide. It is a funding source for developers and housing organizations, not an application program for individual renters.
Who it's for: Nonprofit and public housing developers applying for capital funding — not individual applicants.
Who the door is: Commerce's Multifamily Housing Unit runs the competitive funding cycle for organizations; individuals cannot apply.
Do this first (for reference only): If you want to know whether a specific affordable building near you was HTF-funded, or when new HTF-funded units are opening, ask the building's property manager or your local housing provider — not Commerce directly.
Ask for it by name: Not applicable to individuals — mention only if a partner asks how affordable buildings get financed.
Official page: commerce.wa.gov/multifamily-rental-housing/htf (checked September 19, 2026)
17. Fair housing / source-of-income discrimination
What it is: Washington law (RCW 59.18.255) makes it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to you, or treat you differently, because your income includes a housing voucher, Social Security, or other public benefit. The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) and HUD both take fair-housing complaints.
Who it's for
Anyone denied housing or treated differently because of a voucher or other lawful source of income, or because of race, disability, familial status, and other protected classes
Who the door is: WSHRC investigates state-law housing discrimination complaints; you may also file with HUD.
Do this first
Write down the details of what happened (date, landlord/property name, what was said or done) as soon as possible.
File a WSHRC complaint within 12 months of the incident using their online complaint portal, or call 1-800-233-3247 for help.
You may also file directly with HUD if you prefer, or in addition.
Ask for it by name: "Source of income discrimination complaint" (WSHRC)
Official page: hum.wa.gov/fair-housing (checked September 19, 2026)
18. HRSN rental arrears and TAP (Transition Assistance Program) — one-time help, only through an FCS provider
What it is: Two one-time funds tied to FCS Supportive Housing. HRSN (Health-Related Social Needs) rental-arrears help can pay up to 6 months of past-due rent, up to 150% of Fair Market Rent per month, paid straight to the landlord. TAP pays up-front transition costs — IDs and birth certificates (up to $80 each), rental application and screening fees (up to $100 each), moving costs (up to $300), and move-in costs such as deposits and first and last month's rent (up to $5,000 total, for units renting under 120% of Fair Market Rent). Neither program gives money to the enrollee; payments go to landlords and vendors.
Who it's for
Adults 18+ living anywhere in Washington who are enrolled in FCS Supportive Housing (HRSN also covers FCS Supported Employment enrollees) and meet an FCS risk factor (see section 1)
HRSN: you owe back rent and have a lease or landlord who can verify the amount
TAP: you are actually making a housing transition (a "moving attestation" is required) and have a behavioral-health treatment need
Not for people already receiving AHAH rental assistance (AHAH uses the same HRSN funds for its first 6 months)
Who the door is: Your FCS provider. Individuals cannot apply directly. HRSN requests go from the FCS provider to the Spokane Housing Authority's statewide "Core Relief" portal (Spokane Housing Authority administers HRSN arrears for the whole state and pays the landlord, usually within about 3 business days of the landlord confirming the amount). TAP requests go from the provider to Wellpoint through the Online TAP Request Form; every request must be approved before any money is spent.
Do this first
Tell your FCS provider exactly what you owe or what the move will cost, and gather your lease or rent ledger and your landlord's contact information (HRSN) or the quotes, application receipts, and move-in cost sheet (TAP).
Ask your provider to confirm they hold the FCS TAP contract amendment — providers without it cannot request TAP funds.
Ask what the current funding picture is. As of August 26, 2026, Wellpoint reported that the state TAP funds for the year that began July 1, 2026 were already used up, with the next round expected January 1, 2027, while HRSN arrears funds remained available. This changes; your provider can check.
What it will not cover: HRSN — future rent, first month's rent, deposits, application fees, moving, storage, home modifications, motels. TAP — vehicles or vehicle repair, RVs, washers/dryers or stoves, medical copays, clothing, transportation, or cash to the enrollee. HRSN is a one-time-per-person benefit for the current Medicaid demonstration period (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028); two FCS enrollees in the same household share a combined 6-month limit.
Ask for it by name: "HRSN rental arrears through Core Relief" and "TAP — Transition Assistance Program request" — ask your FCS Supportive Housing provider
Official page: hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/… (checked September 19, 2026)
19. Community Choice Guide (CCG) — setup help when you move into housing through DSHS long-term services
What it is: Community Choice Guiding is a DSHS Home and Community Services (HCS) Medicaid long-term-services service. A contracted Community Choice Guide helps you transition from a hospital, nursing facility, or other institutional setting — or stabilize in the community — and can purchase the one-time items that make a newly secured unit livable: a bed and basic furniture, linens, essential household goods, limited appliances, accessibility and safety items. CCG does not pay ongoing rent; it is usually layered with a Bridge Subsidy or GOSH (section 3).
Who it's for
People found eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) by DSHS/HCS — functional need plus Medicaid financial eligibility
People leaving a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution, or at risk of returning to one without setup help
Who the door is: Your HCS case manager. The case manager discusses the CCG need with their supervisor, then you and the case manager choose a provider together from DSHS's list of contracted CCG vendors for your county. DSHS staff stay neutral among contracted providers — they will not push you toward one, so you can name the one you want. CCG contracts run through the regional Area Agencies on Aging.
Do this first
Ask your HCS case manager or hospital/facility social worker: "Am I LTSS-eligible, and can I get a Community Choice Guide referral for my move?"
Ask to see the contracted CCG vendor list for your county and pick a provider; you are allowed to choose.
Once a Guide is assigned, make a list of what you need to make the unit livable; the Guide checks each item against what the program allows before anything is purchased.
Where Mysti's fits: Mysti's is a DSHS-contracted Community Choice Guide provider through Area Agencies on Aging in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties and the Lewis–Mason–Thurston region. If you want Mysti's as your Guide, tell your HCS case manager by name. Availability depends on staffing and contract capacity at the time of referral.
Ask for it by name: "Community Choice Guide (CCG) referral" — ask your HCS case manager
Official page: dshs.wa.gov/altsa/office-housing-and-employment (checked September 19, 2026)
Finding open senior housing right now
Senior housing openings change constantly and no single website shows real-time vacancy. Use this method and repeat it regularly:
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging / Community Living Connections (in King County: 1-844-348-5464 or communitylivingconnections.org). They keep current lists of local senior and assisted-living housing and can tell you which buildings are worth calling this week.
Search the HUD Resource Locator (resources.hud.gov) for subsidized housing near you, including Section 202 senior properties — note HUD's locator does not show live vacancy, so you must call each property directly.
Check aptfinder.org, a nonprofit database of low-income housing across Washington State, to find buildings and their current application status.
Call individual senior-housing operators directly — for example, PHA-owned senior buildings, or nonprofit operators such as Mercy Housing Northwest, Catholic Housing Services, LIHI (lihihousing.org/properties — LIHI has no central waitlist; every property is applied to separately), and any local senior-housing provider — and ask specifically "do you have any openings or a waitlist opening soon?"
Check every open Housing Choice Voucher waitlist in the counties you'd consider (see Program #7) — a voucher can be used at any senior-eligible unit that accepts it, not just dedicated senior buildings.
Repeat this search every few weeks. Openings are unpredictable; the only way to catch one is to keep checking.
For partners and case managers — referral routes
Use this table on a call. Each row: the program, the referral route (who can refer), the contact or portal, and the one thing to know before you refer. To refer someone to Mysti's, use the Partners & Referrals page.
FCS Supportive Housing — Referral route: Provider referral via Wellpoint. Contact/portal: Wellpoint FCS provider directory (provider.wellpoint.com). Note: Does not pay rent; pre-tenancy/tenancy-sustaining services only.
Apple Health & Homes (AHAH) — Referral route: FCS-SH provider presents the enrollee at Wellpoint's weekly per-building case-conferencing. Contact/portal: AHAH@wellpoint.com (Wellpoint, AHAH coordinating entity). Note: Only FCS providers can refer; bring disability, homelessness, income, SSN, and tribal documentation.
GOSH / HCS Housing Subsidy — Referral route: HCS case manager or hospital/facility discharge planner; ALTSA Supportive Housing Program Manager authorizes GOSH. Contact/portal: DSHS Office of Housing and Employment (dshs.wa.gov/altsa/office-housing-and-employment). Note: Provider must accept/decline a GOSH referral within 2 business days and make contact within 10; Bridge clients wait for the voucher before searching.
CBRA — Referral route: Local CBRA grantee agency. Contact/portal: Commerce CBRA referral-contact list (Excel, via Commerce). Note: Commerce does not take direct referrals.
HRSN rental arrears / TAP — Referral route: FCS-SH provider applies for the enrollee. Contact/portal: HRSN: Spokane Housing Authority Core Relief portal (statewide); TAP: Wellpoint Online TAP Request Form; TransitionAssistanceFCS@wellpoint.com for the TAP amendment. Note: Individuals cannot self-apply; pre-approval required; provider needs the FCS TAP amendment.
Community Choice Guide (CCG) — Referral route: HCS case manager and client choose from the DSHS-contracted CCG vendor list for the county. Contact/portal: Regional Area Agency on Aging (contract holder); Mysti's is contracted in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Lewis–Mason–Thurston. Note: Pays one-time setup items, not rent; usually layered with Bridge Subsidy or GOSH.
Section 811 PRA — Referral route: DSHS HCLA/ALTSA long-term-care case manager. Contact/portal: DSHS Housing Regional Map (PDF). Note: Property owners cannot refer directly.
HEN / ABD — Referral route: DSHS Community Services Office. Contact/portal: washingtonconnection.org or 877-501-2233. Note: HEN services subject to local provider funding.
Housing Choice Vouchers — Referral route: Local PHA waitlist. Contact/portal: HUD PHA Contact Report for WA (PDF). Note: No statewide list; apply to every open PHA list.
EHV / FUP / Mainstream — Referral route: Local PHA (FUP often via DCYF). Contact/portal: Local PHA; DCYF for FUP referrals. Note: EHV funding winding down statewide in 2026.
HUD-VASH / SSVF — Referral route: VA Medical Center homeless program or SSVF grantee. Contact/portal: National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838. Note: HUD-VASH voucher issued by local PHA.
Office of Homeless Youth programs — Referral route: Local OHY-funded youth provider. Contact/portal: OHY Service Provider List / Resource Map (Commerce). Note: Ages 12–24.
DV Housing First / ACP — Referral route: Local WSCADV member program. Contact/portal: National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233; sos.wa.gov for ACP. Note: Confidential; mobile advocacy model.
DOC Reentry Housing Assistance — Referral route: DOC classification counselor / community corrections officer. Contact/portal: doc.wa.gov. Note: Up to $700/month for up to 6 months.
Eviction defense / rental assistance — Referral route: Eviction Defense Screening Line; county rental-assistance intake. Contact/portal: 1-855-657-8387; local county/CAP program. Note: Screening line covers legal defense only, not rent money.
LIHEAP — Referral route: Local community action agency. Contact/portal: fortress.wa.gov/com/liheappublic/map.aspx. Note: Once per program year (Oct–Sept).
Housing Trust Fund — Referral route: Commerce Multifamily Housing Unit (developers only). Contact/portal: HTFApp@Commerce.wa.gov. Note: Not an individual-applicant program.
Fair housing complaint — Referral route: WSHRC / HUD. Contact/portal: hum.wa.gov/fair-housing; 1-800-233-3247. Note: 12-month filing deadline.
KCRHA Regional Services Database — Referral route: Self-service map (King County only). Contact/portal: kcrha.github.io/regional_services_database. Note: Does not show live availability.
Housing Connector — Referral route: Local partner service agency. Contact/portal: housingconnector.com (King, Pierce, Snohomish, WA). Note: Accessed only through a partner agency, not directly by individuals.
LIHI properties — Referral route: Individual property staff. Contact/portal: lihihousing.org/properties. Note: No central waitlist; apply property by property.
Sources checked (September 19, 2026)
hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/… (FCS, HRSN, TAP program pages and provider bulletins)
dshs.wa.gov/altsa/office-housing-and-employment (GOSH, HCS Housing Subsidy, Community Choice Guiding)
commerce.wa.gov/permanent-supportive-housing/cbra (CBRA program guidelines, SFY 2026)
spokanehousing.org (Spokane Housing Authority — HRSN Core Relief administrator)
Wellpoint FCS provider bulletins and AHAH unit notices, March–September 2026 (program correspondence held by Mysti's)
taxcreditadvisor.com/articles/ehv-program-ending-strateg… (EHV wind-down status)
commerce.wa.gov/homelessness-response (Commerce direct-assistance disclaimer, EPRAP/Keep King County Housed context)
What to do today
Call 2-1-1 (or visit wa211.org) and ask what is open in your county this week.
Open your county directory and apply to every list you qualify for: housing help by county.
If you have a case manager, behavioral-health provider, HCS worker, or hospital social worker, ask them by name about FCS, AHAH, GOSH/HCS subsidy, CBRA, HEN, or Section 811 — those doors only open through them.
New to all of this? Start with Need help with housing in Washington? Start here and the free Housing Search Bootcamp.
Emergencies: call 911. Mental-health crisis: call or text 988. Questions for Mysti's: help@mysticares.org or the contact page. This guide is general information about public programs, not legal advice and not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.
