Last updated: March 2, 2023
The below resources are for residents of King County in Washington State, who have fallen behind with rent and are looking for financial assistance, who want help or have questions about creating a repayment plan for a rent debt, or want to talk to someone about their rights as a tenant.
Rent Debt Repayment Plan & Tenant Legal Help
Under the governor’s moratorium, renters have a right to ask for a repayment plan to pay rent that was due since March 2020 onward, which you could not pay because of the pandemic.
If you’re behind on rent, your landlord must offer you a payment plan.
In hopes of reducing the severity of a wave of evictions in the community, the King County Superior Court has established an Eviction Resolution Program (ERP) that will require problem solving steps in situations involving non-payment of rent so that there will be no need to file an eviction case.
If you are contacted by the King County Dispute Resolution Center, or Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center regarding a debt to your landlord, you have 14 days to respond to them. Failure to respond to this notice within 14 days may result in the filing of a summons and complaint for an unlawful detainer action with the court (eviction).
If you need help or have questions about creating a repayment plan or mediation with your landlord, contact one of the below offices.
King County Dispute Resolution center (county wide):
Submit the Tenant form linked here to schedule an appointment:
https://kcdrc.org/get-help/
For additional questions or if you have issues with the form, contact them by email at DRCinfo@kcdrc.org, or phone at 206-443-9603.
Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center (Bellevue & Kirkland):
425-452-4091, or write: bcrc@bellevuewa.gov
Housing Justice Project (county wide)
(206) 267-7069
https://www.kcba.org/For-the-Public/Free-Legal-Assistance/Housing-Justice-Project
Eastside Legal Assistance Program:
To schedule a phone consultation, call our intake line at 425.747.7274 (English), or 425.620.2778 (español)
www.elap.org
Outside King County?
Landlords and tenants can find details about the eviction resolution program, and how they can participate, on the statewide web site dedicated to the program here:
Eviction Resolution Pilot Program
King County Regional Access Points
Regional Access Points are entry points to Coordinated Entry For All. These entry points are resource centers where households experiencing homelessness can get help finding housing and other resources. Individuals and families experiencing homelessness may call ahead to schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment for a CEA Housing Triage Tool, households must contact a Regional Access Point directly.
Follow the link here to find and contact the Regional Access Point closest to you.
New Washington State Law: Landlords must give a “good” reason to end a tenancy or not renew a lease
A new state law says landlords must have a “good” or legal reason for not renewing a rental agreement, ending (terminating) a tenancy, or evicting a tenant. This new law (House Bill 1236) went into effect on May 10, 2021. The new law lists what counts as a “good” reason to ask a tenant to leave the rental unit or to evict a tenant.
Read more about the law at Washington Law Help.
Emergency Rent Assistance Programs
The organizations below may be able to provide some rent assistance or help with first month move in costs.
4 Tomorrow
4 Tomorrow offers financial resources to families and individuals in Bellevue paying up to nine months rental arrears and three future months.
https://www.4tomorrow.today/programs
Email: office4tomorrow@gmail.com
Bellevue LifeSpring
Families in Bellevue or the Bellevue School District, and who have children under the age of 18 in the household are eligible to apply for their services. Send an email to help@bellevuelifespring.org.
https://www.bellevuelifespring.org/get-assistance/
Catholic Community Services
Providing rent assistance for East King County. Call 206-328-5724.
HopeLink
Hopelink can help pay your rent during a time of financial need. If you are experiencing a short-term financial crisis due to unexpected expenses – such as medical bills, auto repair or loss of income – Hopelink may be able to help you pay one month’s rent so that you are able to stay in your home. In addition to preventing eviction, Hopelink’s Financial Assistance program may be able to help with move-in costs.
Financial Assistance appointments are currently being conducted by phone. To schedule an appointment, please call the Hopelink center in your area. https://www.hopelink.org/find-location
Issaquah Community Services
Rent, utility, and other assistance depending on needs for households in the Issaquah School District. Apply for assistance online at the link below, or call (425) 837-3125 between the hours of 9am and 11am, Monday through Friday.
www.issaquahcommunityservices.org/need-help
Kent United Methodist
Can provide help with utilities, rent, or water bill once every 12 months. Appointments are usually held on Wednesdays. Applicants must live within the Kent School District boundaries, but do not have to have children.
Please call the church office at (253) 852-0993 on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and set up an appointment.
https://kentmethodist.com/assistance
King County Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Call 206-545-2344 to apply for assistance. They accept calls Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place Rental Assistance Request Portal for families with children needing rent assistance: https://www.marysplaceseattle.org/rental-assistance
MCRC
Rent assistance, utility bills, application fees, food & hot meals. Call 1-888-404-6272.
Create an account and complete the interest form at the link here:
https://maps.knack.com/mcrc#home
Multi-Service Center
MSC provides one-time rent assistance and limited resources for temporary emergencies such as utility bill assistance to individuals and families living within the city limits of Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and SeaTac. MSC may also be able to assist residents of Fern Hill Terrace with one-time assistance.
Call 253-893-0024 on the first Tuesday of month between 9 a.m. to noon. Funds are limited. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of phone calls, you may receive a busy signal. Please keep trying to get through.
OR
Complete an online application for your city at the link on this page: https://mschelps.org/gethelp/rentalemergencyassistance/
Salvation Army
Provide emergency rent assistance for low income individuals and families. Call 206-447-9944 (opt. 5).
Sound Generation Pathways
Housing resources for seniors (over 60), adults with disabilities, one-time rental assistance. Call 206-448-3110.
St Vincent de Paul
Call 206-767-6449 to apply for assistance. They accept calls Monday through Friday, from 8am-3pm.
United Way King County
If you live in King County, owe back rent at your current address, and household income is below 80% AMI, UWKC is able to provide up to 15 months of rental assistance, which could include up to 3 months of future rent.
Apply online at https://www.uwkc.org/renthelp/
YMCA of Greater Seattle (assistance for Auburn renters)
The YMCA of Greater Seattle can provide rent assistance to households in incorporated Auburn city limits. The applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 24, or have children under the ages of 18 in the household.
Email renthelp@seattleymca.org, or call 206-751-7130. Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
Eviction Legal Help
The organizations below can provide tenants access to an attorney after an eviction has been filed or served.
Northwest Justice Project
Tenants can apply online on the Northwest Justice Project website at the link here to begin the screening process for eviction help. https://nwjustice.org/apply-online
Emergency Shelter
The organizations below can provide emergency shelter to single adults or families.
King County Family Emergency Shelter Intake Line
Any family with children, in need of same day emergency shelter should call 206-245-1026.
This hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Mobile outreach services can meet with unsheltered family wherever they are in King County.
They can accommodate families that have pets with them.
Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place has 700 beds at six family centers, operating 24/7. Families with children needing emergency shelter can call 206-245-1026, or request help online:
Mary’s Place Outreach Request Portal: https://www.marysplaceseattle.org/outreach-request
New Bethlehem Project
Visit New Bethlehem Day Center (11920 NE 80th St Suite 100 Kirkland, WA 98033), Hours 10am-2pm Tues – Fri, for access to showers, laundry, meals and referrals to shelter and housing. Only requirement is that you be a family, that is with a minor child under age 18 or K-12 as part of the family unit. https://www.nbpshelter.org/
You can also call them at 206-245-1026
Day Center at Sophia’s Place
Hours: Every day from 8 am to 3 pm
Services: Meals (breakfast and lunch), showers, laundry, computers, and access to service providers including medical, legal assistance, and job search
Location: Sophia’s Place
3032 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425. 896.7385
Bus route: 249
Helen’s Place Shelter
Hours: Open 24/7
Services: Meals (breakfast and lunch), showers, laundry, computers, case management and supportive services, and on-site mental health services
Location: Helen’s Place
8045 120th Avenue NE, Suite 200, Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: 425.572.2178
Bus route: 250
Overlake Christian Church Safe Parking Program
OCC has established a Safe Parking ministry to provide a temporary and safe place for up to 15 single men and couples with no place to stay except in their vehicles.
Email the Safe Parking Team at safeparking@occ.org, call (425) 895-5904 or stop by the church office when we’re open.
Utilities
Puget Sound Energy
PSE have launched an assistance program for our customers who may have been impacted by the pandemic.
Visit the program webpage for eligibility and application information: https://www.pse.com/help
City of Bellevue Utility Rate and Tax Relief
The City of Bellevue has several programs to help low-income persons living within the service area of Bellevue Utilities. For more information, please call 425-452-5285 or email UtilityRelief@bellevuewa.gov.
Food
HopeLink
Hopelink food banks are currently providing pre-packed boxes of food at all five locations, as well as some fresh items. During each visit, you will be able to pick up enough food for at least 21 meals. You do not need to call in advance.
https://www.hopelink.org/need-help/food
Household Essentials
Essentials First
Offer four types of kits: Essentials, Hygiene, Warmth, and Cold. The kits, in various sizes, are filled with critical products and resource information. They are gifted to people experiencing homelessness and those near homeless, refugees, and those experiencing financial insecurity.
Phone: (425)-502-7768, Monday-Thursday 11am-3pm.
Childcare
The Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFA)
The CCFA program is available to residents of Bellevue or Redmond. The program provides financial assistance with childcare, with the amount of the assistance being set by the family’s size and income.
https://www.childcare.org/family-services/
Healthcare
King County Public Health
Free and Low cost health insurance, Health services, Rx Discount Program, Food and cellphone assistance, Energy Assistance, Ora-Lift card
http://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations.aspx
Renton clinic 206-477-0100 Bellevue clinic 206-477-2335
Information on local, state and federal programs and resources that are available for undocumented residents living in King County
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/health-insurance/access-and-outreach/undocumented-residents.aspx
Sea-Mar Community Health Centers
A community-based organization providing comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington state. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services.
https://www.seamar.org
Bellevue location: 425-460-7140
Kent location: 206-436-6380
Resources for Seniors
East King County Resource Guide for Older Adults and Their Families
The East King County Resource Guide for Older Adults and Their Families is published as a community service by the City of Kirkland Senior Council, the City of Kirkland and EvergreenHealth.
The guide can be found here: Resource Guide PDF
Resources for Refugees & Immigrants
World Relief Seattle
Assistance for refugees and immigrants. https://worldreliefseattle.org
Call 253-277-1121.
Other Community Resources
Domestic Violence (DVHopeline, entire Puget Sound region): Call 877-737-0242
Domestic Violence (Lifewire, East and North King County): Call 425-746-1940, or 800-827-8840
Crisis Line: Call 206-431-3222 or 800-273-8255
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800-272-8255, then extension #1.
Drugs & Alcohol: Call 206-722-3700.
Pet food assistance: Seattle Humane’s Pet Food Bank collects and distributes pet food donations for pets belonging to low-income seniors, families in crisis, and any community members in need. https://www.seattlehumane.org/pet-food-bank/