Housing Vouchers & Section 8 for DV Survivors in Washington State: Know Your Federal Rights

Finding Safe Housing After Leaving — You Are Not Starting From Zero

Leaving an abusive situation is one of the hardest things a person can do. And for many survivors — women, men, nonbinary people, parents of every background — the fear that follows isn't just about safety. It's about the roof over your head. Where will I go? Can I afford a place? Will my past rental history or my abuser's record follow me? These fears are real, and they are one of the primary reasons people stay in dangerous situations longer than they want to.

Domestic violence survivors are not only women. Men, transgender and nonbinary people, youth, and older adults all experience intimate partner violence — and all of them face the same terrifying housing cliff when they finally leave. This guide is written for all of you.

Here is what you need to know first: you have federal legal housing rights under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) — and here is how to use them in Washington state. VAWA housing protections apply regardless of your gender, immigration status, or whether you have ever called the police. You do not need a court order or a police report to invoke these rights. What follows is a plain-language guide to the voucher programs, emergency resources, and legal protections available to you right now.

VAWA Housing Protections — What Federal Law Actually Guarantees

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that includes powerful housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. These protections apply to all federally assisted housing programs — including Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and project-based rental assistance.

You Cannot Be Evicted or Denied Housing Solely Because You Are a Survivor

Under VAWA, a housing authority or landlord participating in a federal housing program cannot evict you and cannot deny your housing application solely because you are a domestic violence survivor. Being a victim of abuse is not a disqualifying factor for housing assistance. Full stop.

Emergency Transfer Right

If you are currently living in federally assisted housing and you are in immediate danger, you have the right to request an emergency transfer to a different unit — within the same housing authority system — without going to the back of the waitlist and without penalty. Under the VAWA 2022 reauthorization, emergency transfer requests must be prioritized by housing authorities. You do not have to wait in line while your safety is at risk.

Bifurcation of Leases — Remove the Abuser, Keep Your Home

If both you and your abuser are on the same lease, the housing authority can bifurcate (split) the lease — removing the abuser from the lease without terminating your housing. You keep your home; they lose their right to be there. This protection is a lifeline for survivors who would otherwise face homelessness when the abuser is removed.

Confidentiality Protections

A housing authority cannot disclose your address or location to your abuser. Your new housing location is protected. This applies to transfers, applications, and any communications with the housing authority. The confidentiality obligation is explicit under VAWA and applies to all housing authority staff.

The HUD-5382 Form — No Police Report Required

To invoke your VAWA protections, you may be asked to complete HUD Form 5382 — the VAWA Self-Certification Form. This form lets you confirm your status as a survivor and the nature of the abuse. You do NOT need a police report, a court order, or any official documentation to complete this form. Your own signed statement is sufficient. The form is available for free from any housing authority or at HUD.gov. A housing authority that refuses to accept a completed HUD-5382 is violating federal law.

Washington State Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program — commonly called Section 8 — is the federal government's largest rental assistance program. In Washington state, it is administered by local housing authorities under HUD oversight.

How It Works: Tenant-Based vs. Project-Based

There are two main types of vouchers:

• Tenant-based vouchers travel with you. You find a private landlord who accepts the voucher, and the voucher pays the difference between what you can afford (roughly 30–40% of your income) and the Fair Market Rent for your area. If you move, you take the voucher with you.
• Project-based vouchers are tied to a specific unit or property. The subsidy stays with the apartment — not with you. If you leave that unit, you lose the subsidy (though you may be eligible for a tenant-based voucher after living there for a period of time).

For DV survivors, tenant-based vouchers generally offer more flexibility and safety — you can move if your location becomes known to your abuser.

Income Eligibility

To qualify for the standard Housing Choice Voucher, your household income must generally be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. HUD publishes updated income limits each year; for 2026, limits vary by county and family size. WA 211 (dial 2-1-1) can help you determine the current limit for your specific area. Priority is often given to households at or below 30% AMI — meaning the lowest-income applicants are served first.

Where to Apply in Washington State

Each housing authority runs its own waitlist. The major WA metro housing authorities are:

• King County Housing Authority (KCHA) — kcha.org | (206) 574-1100 — Serves King County outside Seattle city limits. One of WA's largest HCV programs.
• Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) — seattlehousing.org | (206) 239-1500 — Serves the City of Seattle specifically.
• Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) — tacomahousing.net | (253) 207-4400 — Serves Tacoma and Pierce County areas.
• Pierce County Housing Authority — pchahousing.org | (253) 620-5400 — Serves unincorporated Pierce County.
• Snohomish County Housing Authority — snohomishcountyha.org | (425) 290-8499 — Serves Snohomish County.
• Spokane Housing Authority — spokanehousing.org | (509) 328-2953 — Serves the Spokane metro area.

DV Preference — Ask Every Housing Authority

Many Washington housing authorities give priority preferences to domestic violence survivors on their waitlists. This can significantly shorten your wait time. Not every housing authority advertises this preference clearly — so when you call or apply, explicitly ask: "Do you have a domestic violence priority preference on your waiting list?" If yes, ask what documentation (if any) is needed to claim it — and remember, a signed HUD-5382 form is sufficient under VAWA; they cannot require a police report.

Wait Times — Honest Information

Standard Section 8 waitlists in Washington's major metros can run 2–7 years. Many lists open only occasionally when housing authorities accept new applications. This is the hard reality of the affordable housing shortage in WA state.

However: DV preference programs can accelerate this dramatically. Emergency Housing Vouchers (see next section) are specifically designed to bypass the standard waitlist for people in crisis. And Rapid Rehousing programs through local Continuums of Care can provide immediate bridge assistance while you wait for a longer-term voucher.

Apply to every waitlist you qualify for — simultaneously. You can be on more than one list at the same time.

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) — Fast-Tracked for Crisis

Emergency Housing Vouchers are different from standard Section 8 — and they are the single most important resource for DV survivors who cannot wait years on a standard waitlist.

What Are EHVs?

Emergency Housing Vouchers were created under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and distributed by HUD to local housing authorities specifically to serve people:

• Experiencing homelessness
• Fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking
• At risk of homelessness
• Recently homeless and at high risk of long-term homelessness

EHVs are fast-tracked and specifically designed for crisis situations. They bypass the standard waitlist. They also come with additional supportive services funding — housing authorities that receive EHVs are required to provide enhanced mobility services and landlord outreach to help voucher holders actually find units.

How to Access EHVs in Washington State

EHVs are accessed through your local Continuum of Care (CoC) — the coordinated community system for addressing homelessness — working in partnership with the local housing authority. In Washington state:

• King County CoC — Access through DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center), YWCA, or King County's All Home program. Contact All Home at allhomekc.org.
• WA Balance of State CoC — Covers all WA counties outside King County. Access through your local housing authority or community action agency. Dial 2-1-1 to find your local CoC contact.

Call WA 211 (dial 2-1-1) and specifically ask: "Are Emergency Housing Vouchers currently available in my county, and how do I apply?" EHV availability depends on how many vouchers your local housing authority was allocated and how many remain unissued.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Project-Based Rental Assistance — WA State Options

In project-based rental assistance, the subsidy is attached to the housing unit — not to the individual. This is different from a tenant-based voucher that travels with you. Project-based units are typically found in affordable apartment complexes, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing developments.

Washington state has many project-based units in developments specifically designed for DV survivors, people exiting homelessness, and families in crisis. These units often have on-site support services, which makes them particularly valuable for survivors who need more than just a roof.

Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program

The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program, administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), provides rental assistance and essential needs support to people who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability and do not qualify for federal disability benefits. HEN can provide temporary rental assistance while longer-term solutions are pursued.

To apply for HEN, contact your local DSHS Community Services Office or visit dshs.wa.gov. DV survivors with disabilities related to trauma, PTSD, or physical injuries may qualify.

Finding Project-Based Units in WA

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) maintains listings of affordable housing developments across the state at wshfc.org. Many of these properties have project-based Section 8 or tax-credit units. You can also search HUD's Resource Locator at resources.hud.gov to find subsidized housing near you.

Other Emergency Housing Resources for DV Survivors in Washington

Rapid Rehousing Programs

Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs provide short-term rental assistance, security deposits, and case management to help survivors move quickly from shelter or unsafe housing into a stable rental unit. RRH is time-limited (typically 3–24 months) but can serve as critical bridge support while you work toward a long-term voucher. Access RRH through your local CoC — dial 2-1-1 to be connected.

WA-Specific DV Housing Programs

• SafeFutures (Seattle) — Provides transitional housing, shelter, and wraparound services for DV survivors and their children in the Seattle area. safefutureswa.org
• YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish — Operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and legal advocacy for DV survivors across King and Snohomish counties. ywcaworks.org
• Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County (DVS) — Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, advocacy, and legal help for survivors in Snohomish County. dvsnohomish.org
• YW Spokane — Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for DV survivors in the Spokane area. ywspokane.org
• Consejo Counseling & Referral Service — Culturally specific DV services for Latinx survivors, including housing assistance, in King County and beyond. consejocounseling.org

Transitional Housing for Youth (18–24) Fleeing DV

Young adults ages 18–24 who are fleeing domestic violence or unsafe home situations may qualify for transitional housing under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA). Washington state has multiple RHYA-funded transitional housing programs specifically for this age group. Dial 2-1-1 or contact your local CoC to find RHYA housing near you.

What Housing Authorities Cannot Do — Know Your Rights

Federal VAWA protections are only useful if you know when they are being violated. Housing authorities and federally assisted landlords cannot:

• Require a police report to invoke your VAWA protections. A completed HUD-5382 form is sufficient.
• Deny your housing application solely because you were previously evicted by an abuser or because of incidents of DV in a prior tenancy.
• Disclose your address or location to your abuser or to anyone who might share it with your abuser.
• Penalize you for your abuser's lease violations once bifurcation has been invoked — the abuser's bad tenancy record cannot be held against you.
• Retaliate against you for asserting VAWA rights, filing a complaint, or requesting an emergency transfer.

If a housing authority violates any of these protections, you have the right to file a complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at hud.gov/fairhousing or by calling 1-800-669-9777. CLEAR Legal Aid (1-888-201-1014) can also help you assert your rights.

Quick Reference Resource Table

Your 5-Step Action Plan

Related Resources

• Emergency Rental Assistance in Washington State
• Housing Rights & Tenant Protections in Washington State
• Transitional Housing Programs in Washington State
• Domestic Violence Shelters in Washington State
• Domestic Violence Protective Orders in Washington State
• Rebuilding Credit After Homelessness or DV in Washington State