How do I know which properties will accept my voucher?
Good news! As of September 30, 2018 Fair Housing Laws in the state of Washington protects renters who are using a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) to pay rent. It is illegal for a property to discriminate against you based on your income source which includes your voucher. This means that all properties in the Seattle and King County area should accept your voucher if you meet their screening criteria.
Where can I find out more about Fair Housing Law?
Northwest Justice Project: www.nwjustice.org
Tenants Union: www.tenantsunion.org/en/rights/section-8-voucher-discrimination
Washington Law Help: www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/tenants-new-legal-protection-from-discrimination-based-on-source-of-income?ref=NOiVT
Washington State Legislature Housing Assistance Program: www.app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.185
What can I do if I feel discriminated because of my voucher?
Although fair housing laws protect your right to use your voucher, you may still encounter properties or property managers who do not want to work with the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. If you feel that you have been discriminated against based on your voucher, you should report the discrimination to local enforcement. Find your city below and contact information to report your case.
Seattle
Seattle Office of Civil Rights
Phone: 206-684-4500
Email: discrimination@seattle.gov
Website: www.seattle.gov/civilrights/file-complaint
King County
Auburn Code Enforcement
Phone: 253-931-3020
Email: codeenforcement@auburnwa.gov
Website: www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/community_
development/code_compliance
Bellevue Code Compliance
Phone: 425-452-4570
Email: codecompliance@ci.bellevue.wa.us
Website: www.bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/development/codes-and-guidelines/code-compliance
Issaquah Code Compliance
Phone: 425-837-3107
Email: michelef@issaquahwa.gov
Website: www.issaquahwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=135
Kent Code Compliance
Phone: 253-856-5409
Email: codeenforcement@KentWA.gov
Website: www.kentwa.gov/residents/public-safety/police-department/code-enforcement
Kirkland Code Compliance
Phone: 425-587-3225
Email: codecompliance@ci.bellevue.wa.us
Website: www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/
Online_Resources/Code_Enforcement.htm
City of Normandy Park Police
Phone: 206-248-7600
Email: bwall@normandyparkwa.gov
Website: www.normandyparkwa.gov/services/city-
managers-office/request-city-assistance
Redmond Code Compliance
Phone: 425-556-2474
Email: codeenforcement@redmond.gov
Website: www.redmond.gov/158/Report-an-
Issue-Request-Service
Sammamish Code Compliance
Phone: 425-295-0547
Email: codecompliance@sammamish.us
Website: www.sammamish.us/government/departments/
community-development/building/code-compliance