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All kinds of help

Housing

Help paying rent, finding a safe place to stay, and keeping the heat and power on. Your state and local housing authorities run rent help and housing vouchers. Your state also runs help with energy bills. If you have nowhere to stay tonight, call 211.Help in Washington and from the federal government.

Ask about it

Tell us more about what you need, in your own words. You get the programs that fit and people to call.

Programs in Washington

Washington programs for this kind of help. Each agency decides who qualifies.

Washington has a fuller page for this topic. See all Washington help for this

  • Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and Washington State Department of Commerce

    Housing and Essential Needs Referral

    Also: Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

    The HEN program connects eligible people who cannot work with essential-needs and housing-related services.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall DSHS: 877-501-2233Call Commerce: 360-725-4000

  • Washington State Department of Commerce

    Homelessness response programs

    Commerce funds local programs that help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

    Ways to apply:PhoneIn person

    Apply online Call 360-725-4000

  • Washington State Department of Commerce

    Housing finance

    The Housing Finance Commission offers homebuyer and affordable housing finance programs.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePhone

    Apply online Call 360-725-4000

  • Washington State Department of Commerce

    Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

    LIHEAP helps eligible households pay energy bills through local providers.

    Ways to apply:PhoneIn person

    Apply online Call 360-725-4000

  • Washington State Department of Commerce

    Weatherization Program

    Weatherization provides home improvements that can reduce energy use for eligible households.

    Ways to apply:PhoneIn person

    Apply online Call 360-725-4000

Checked on October 8, 2026

Help lines in Washington

  • Washington Homeownership Hotline

    Washington Homeownership Resource Center. Free help for homeowners facing foreclosure or falling behind on a mortgage. They never call you first or ask for payment information.

    Call 877-894-4663

    Checked on October 8, 2026

Community action agencies in Washington

Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.

Federal programs

These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

    Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

    Apply through your local public housing authority. HUD lists every housing authority by state.

    Find your housing authority Official page

  • Federal Communications Commission

    Lifeline phone and internet discount

    A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

    Check if you qualify and apply on the National Verifier, then pick a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline.

    Apply on the National Verifier Official pageCall 1-800-234-9473

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency

    FEMA disaster assistance

    Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

    Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

    Apply on DisasterAssistance.gov Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026

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