July 6, 2023: United Way’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP) has ended. In partnership with King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), United Way is preparing to launch the Keep King County Housed Program. This new program will offer emergency financial support to renters who need help covering past-due rent, are facing significant housing instability, and/or have an active eviction notice.
As we transition our Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Program to new funding, United Way will contact all previously eligible households on our waitlist and direct them to complete our new Client Intake Form. If your household submitted a form to be on the waitlist before July 2023, you will need to complete a new Intake Form to see if your household is eligible under our new funding. Filling out the Client Intake Form puts your household on the new waitlist. Please make sure you meet the minimum program eligibility requirements before submission.
This year we have fewer funds for rental assistance than usual, and we know it is not enough to meet the need. In order to be fair, our Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Program will randomly select households who completed a Client Intake Form and meet program eligibility. After screening for eligibility, we may offer financial assistance to households who are at risk of becoming homeless. Eligible households will be selected on an ongoing basis, based on funding available and program capacity.
As additional funding becomes available, and if you are selected, you will be notified via email/phone. Continue to visit www.uwkc.org/renthelp for updates regarding rental assistance and call 2-1-1 for more resources.
Program Eligibility and Who We Serve
- Household MUST reside and owe back rent at your current address.
- Households with a CURRENT address in King County, WA.
- Household income must not exceed 80% Area Median Income (AMI) for household size.
- Landlord is willing to participate in the program.
- Households at risk of homelessness
- have a missed rent payment and current owe at last part of a rent payment (current or past)
- have been notified that your right to occupy current living situation will be terminated within 21 days
If you live in King County or the City of Seattle and are in need of rent help, fill out a Client Intake Form for the Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Program below. Limited funds are available to help King County residents with much-needed rental assistance. Submitting a Client Intake Form does not guarantee assistance through the program.
PLEASE COMPLETE ONLY ONE FORM FOR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD. Household = living together and/or on the same lease. Each household member does not need to complete this form. Submitting a second form DOES NOT increase your chances of getting selected or receiving assistance.
If you receive a validation error after submission of the form it means you are already completed a form and do not need to submit another.
Contact and Support Form
Direct any questions to us by filling our online support form below. The Support Form is the best way for us to help you. You can also access the online support form here: https://bit.ly/RentHelpSupport.
If you need to send a full or partial refund for a Rental Assistance Payment to United Way of King County, please complete this – Reimbursement Document – and include with the check, as well as when submitting the Support Form below. This form gives United Way the authority to track the details and payment of the original check and ensure program compliance.
If you do not have access to the form, you can call United Way of King County at (206) 461-3700 and leave a voicemail at the Community Services – Rental Assistance Phone Line. Note: the Rent Help Line is reserved for renters that do not have Internet access. Please use the online Support Form above if you are able.
FAQ for Renters
I already completed the Client Intake Form posted on United Way of King County’s website. What do I need to do next?
Your Client Intake Form entry is still active; you do not need to do anything. If you are selected to move forward, you will be contacted via email with next steps.
We also recommend searching for other rental assistance services in our community as you wait to be selected.
What are the eligibility requirements to receive assistance?
Program Eligibility and Who We Serve
- Household MUST reside and owe back rent at your current address.
- Households with a CURRENT address in King County, WA.
- Household income must not exceed 80% Area Median Income (AMI) for household size.
- Landlord is willing to participate in the program.
- Households at risk of homelessness: (1) have a missed rent payment and current owe at last part of a rent payment (current or past)
OR (2) have been notified that your right to occupy current living situation will be terminated within 21 days
What information do I need to complete the application?
You will need the following information:
- Your landlord/property managers name, phone number and email address.
- Basic information about your household such as your address, monthly rent amount, types of income sources and income amount.
If additional information is needed, your case manager will help you.You will not be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). There are no citizenship requirements to receive assistance.
What information do you need from my landlord/property manager?
Your landlord/property manager will need to provide a lease, written documentation of the charges and payments to your rental account (rent ledger) and W-9 for payment processing. Other documentation may be required as needed. This will be resolved by the case manager processing your assistance.
You do not have to contact your landlord/property manager for these documents; that is the responsibility of your case manager.
Do I have to pay this assistance back? Is it a loan?
No, rental assistance funds are provided by the federal government as a grant. They are NOT a loan and do not have to be paid back.
How will I know if I am chosen from the waitlist to receive assistance?
You will be contacted by a case manager if you are selected to receive rent assistance funds. Monitor the email address and phone number you provided on your application; check your spam/junk folders.
FAQ for Landlord/Property Managers
What information do I need to provide to complete this process?
You must provide a rent ledger (or proof of payments/charges for unit), a lease and a completed W9. You will also be required to sign a formal rent assistance offer once your case manager determines the tenant’s assistance amount.
Will I have to report this income to the IRS when I file my taxes?
All rental assistance funds you receive must be reported to the IRS as income and you will receive a 1099 in the mail next tax season. Please note that any rent balances you forgive may also be claimed on your taxes as a business deduction/loss.
What do I do if it has been more than 2 weeks since approval and I still have not received my payment?
Contact the case manager that you worked with and fill out the Support Form on this page. They will be able to check the status of your payment/resolve any delays.
Who should I contact if I have questions/concerns after my tenant and I have been served?
Contact the case manager that you worked with. Or you can fill out the Support Form on this webpage.
How do I return funds if my renter has moved out?
To send a full or partial refund, download and fill out this Reimbursement Document and mail with a check to:
United Way of King County
ATTN: Accounting, First Floor
720 2nd Ave
Seattle WA 98104
Include the name and address of the household on the form. This form gives United Way the authority to track the details and payment of the original check and ensure program compliance.
Do you have any mortgage assistance programs/referrals?
This program is specifically for rent assistance. For mortgage resources and assistance, visit https://dfi.wa.gov/homeownership.
Helpful Information & Additional Resources
Eviction Assistance
For urgent eviction-related issues, please call 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274 to connect with free, confidential community services in Washington state.
- Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP): if you want help negotiating your rent/tenancy with your landlord outside of the legal eviction process. Visit https://kcdrc.org/eviction-resolution-pilot-program/ or call (206) 443-9603, ext. 111.
- Housing Justice Project: if you have received an eviction court summons. Visit www.kcba.org/?pg=Housing-Justice-Project or call (206) 580-0762 for eviction prevention resources, free legal advice, and free legal help.
- Northwest Justice Project for eviction legal assistance; qualified low-income renters may be eligible for free legal help and defense. Visit https://nwjustice.org/eviction-help or call 1-855-657-8387.
Kirkland or Bellevue Residents: if you are facing eviction or have legal issues with your landlord, please contact the Eastside Legal Assistance Program for free legal help at https://elap.org/housing-stability/ or English: (425) 747-7274, Español: (425) 620-2778.
Seattle Residents: if you receive a 14-Day Notice, you can call the Renting in Seattle Hotline at (206) 684-5700 or https://www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle/renters/i-need-help for help validating the notice (ensuring that the notice complies with current City of Seattle renter protections).
Resources
- Information on Tenant’s Rights in Washington State: https://tenantsunion.org/
- Whether you’re unemployed, looking for help paying your utility bills, or trying to find out where to access nutritious meals, you can find a comprehensive list of resources here.
- Click here for a helpful document on talking to your landlord/property manager.
- If you are a low-income renter and have received an eviction notice, please contact the Housing Justice Project.
- To better understand your rights as a renter and/or receive tenants rights counseling, check out Tenants Union.
- If you need legal aid, check out the Northwest Justice Project.
- Helpful information about legal and eviction support in Washington State.
- Conflict Resolution Center for tenants living in Bellevue and Kirkland only.
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office (Information on Landlord/Tenant Law, Proclamation, SB 5160, Eviction Resolution Program Notices in multiple languages)
- King County Superior Court Standing Order (sets forth expectations for participation in the Eviction Resolution Program)
Thank you to our community partners
Other Help during the COVID-19 Crisis:
Whether you’re unemployed, looking for help paying your utility bills or trying to find out where to access nutritious meals, you can find a comprehensive list of resources here.
Are you looking to donate and make even more rental assistance available to keep more people in their homes??
Donate here to support this program!
Thank you to our key partners:
