Housing Archives - Disability Rights Washington

External Links

Northwest Access Fund

Northwest Access Fund, formerly known as Washington Access Fund, provides funding for people with disabilities to purchase assistive technology and achieve greater independence through loans and Individual Development Accounts, and lists additional outside resources for securing assistive technology for augmentative communication, home and vehicle modifications, and more. See the website for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

Handbook for Washington Seniors

This Legal Voice publication is a comprehensive quick-reference guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting Washington seniors, including health care, finances, housing, elder abuse, and discrimination.

Housing Justice Project, Skagit County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program

The Skagit County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program provides free legal assistance to low-income renters in Skagit County. Call CLEAR for an intake and referral, at 1 (888) 201-1014, Monday through Friday, from 9:15 AM to 12:15 PM.

Fair Housing Services, King County Office of Civil Rights – Discrimination Complaint

Information about how to file a discrimination complaint with the King County Office of Civil Rights, including a link to the online complaint form, and what happens after a complaint is filed can be found here. Information in Spanish is also available here.

City of Tacoma, Landlord-Tenant Program

The Landlord-Tenant program provides information and referrals to landlords and tenants to resolve disputes that arise under the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. The service is free and available to both property owners, property managers, and tenants within the Tacoma City limits. Information about contacting the program for help, including the telephone number, email address, walk-in hours, and online intake form is available on this webpage.

Legal Assistance by Whatcom (LAW) Advocates, Tenant Clinic

This courthouse-based, free legal clinic serves low-income renters who are in danger of losing their homes due to circumstances including eviction, mobile home park closure, landlord foreclosure, and illegal leases. Individuals may recieve services on a first-come, first-served basis.

Northwest Justice Project, CLEAR Hotline

CLEAR is the statewide intake line for free and low-cost civil legal aid in Washington. Individuals with low incomes and legal issues may receive legal resources, information, and referrals to legal services providers in their geographic area. In King County, individuals may access these services by calling 2-1-1. Otherwise, individuals may reach CLEAR by calling 1 (888) 201-1014 or use the online intake form on the website. Seniors (people age 60 and over) can access intake by calling CLEAR*Sr at 1 (888) 387-7111. Veterans may dial 1 (855) 657-8387.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) – Housing Assistance

This Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) page includes links to information on housing assistance programs and other resources, including cash assistance, and listings of assisted living facilities and other specialized housing.

Reasonable Accommodations and Modification for People with Disabilities: Sample Policy & Disability Information [PDF]

This PDF publication by the Fair Housing Partners of Washington State is intended to help housing providers respond to reasonable accommodation and modification requests from rental residents. However, it contains useful information on issues such as accessible parking, service animals, and relay services that may be helpful to residents with disabilities.

Yakima Office of Neighborhood Development Services – Housing Programs

The Yakima Office of Neighborhood Development Services administers grants for qualifying people with disabilities to pay for home repairs and exterior paint. Applicants must meet certain income qualifications. Emergency home repair services may be available.

Washington State Human Rights Commission – Discrimination Complaint

Information about how to file a discrimination complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission, including a link to the online complaint form can be found here. Information in Spanish is also available here. Discrimination can be reported by calling 1 (800) 233-3247 or 1 (800) 300-7525 (TTY).

Washington State Human Rights Commission – Fair Housing

The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) is the state agency responsible for enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which prohibits disability discrimination in housing. Its website has information for housing professionals, current and future homeowners, and renters on topics such as reasonable accommodations, fairness in mortgage lending, and new construction design standards. The WSHRC also accepts and investigates complaints of housing discrimination.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Discrimination Complaint

Information about how to file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including a link to the online complaint form, and what happens after a complaint is filed can be found here. Information in Spanish is also available here.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency that enforces the Fair Housing Act, a federal law that prohibits disability discrimination in housing. HUD’s website has information on housing discrimination, reasonable accommodations and modifications, service animals, and HUD’s complaint process. It also has information on fair lending, rental assistance, and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).

Tenants Union of Washington State

Tenants Union of Washington State advocates for housing justice and maintains a website with publications on tenant rights, including fair housing, eviction, repairs, privacy, and deposits, and runs a Tenants Rights Hotline, which can be reached by calling (206) 723-0500. Some information on the website is also available in Spanish and other languages.

Solid Ground

Solid Ground is a non-profit organization that works against barriers to stability for low-income people. Solid Ground provides tenant counseling, mortgage counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, transitional housing, some rental assistance, and educational workshops. The website also has information on tenants and homeowners’ rights.

Seattle Office for Civil Rights – Discrimination Complaint

Information about how to file a discrimination complaint with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, including a link to the online complaint form and frequently asked questions can be found here.

Seattle Office for Civil Rights

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights enforces housing discrimination laws in the City of Seattle. The website has basic information on discrimination, harassment and retaliation. A person may ask a question or file a discrimination complaint by visiting the website, or by calling (206) 684-4500.

Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project

A project of the Washington State Bar Association and the Northwest Justice Project, the Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project provides free legal assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners. Contact information an resources on foreclosure issues, mediation, and more is available at the website.

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance

The Northwest Fair Housing Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to address and prevent housing discrimination in eastern and central Washington. Northwest Fair Housing Alliance provides customized training to housing providers and consumers, and assists individuals with housing discrimination complaints. The website has information on topics such as reasonable accommodations and modifications, service animals, housing design and construction, and fair lending.

Moderate Means Program, Washington State Bar Association

The Washington State Bar Association, Moderate Means Program connects clients who are middle-income earners with lawyers who offer housing legal assistance at a reduced cost on issues including rental housing, landlords, evictions, repairs, and unfair denials of housing. Income qualifications apply.

Moderate Means Program, Washington State Bar Association

Housing Justice Project, Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services operates this volunteer-based program that serves low-income renters. Volunteer attorneys may be available to represent tenants facing eviction on Friday mornings at Thurston County Superior Court. The Housing Justice Project also operates a separate legal clinic for low-income renters with tenant-landlord issues who have not yet been threatened with eviction.

Housing Justice Project, Tacoma-Pierce County

On Monday through Thursday afternoons, this volunteer clinic provides legal advice to individuals about a variety of housing-related issues, including rental agreements, repairs, foreclosure, deposits, and eviction, over the phone and by email. Low-income tenants facing eviction may get in-person advice or limited representation. No appointment is necessary for renters with eviction hearings scheduled on Monday through Thursday.

Housing Justice Project, Snohomish County Legal Services

Snohomish County Legal Services’ Housing Justice Project assists low income people facing eviction who are particularly vulnerable to becoming homeless. Volunteer attorneys may help tenants identify eviction defenses, negotiate with landlords, preserve public housing benefits, prepare for show cause hearings, and in some cases provide direct representation. Volunteer attorneys are available at the Snohomish County courthouse Tuesday through Friday.

Housing Justice Project, King County Bar Association

The King County Bar Association, Housing Justice Project is a volunteer-based legal clinic that provides free legal services, including advice, negotiation, and limited representation, for low-income residential tenants in King County who are facing eviction. Services are available in-person at the King County Courthouse in Seattle, and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. For information in Spanish, call (206) 267-7090.

Foreclosure Fairness Program, Washington State Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce, Foreclosure Fairness Program provides free housing counseling, civil legal aid, and foreclosure mediation to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The website has information about these services as well short videos and links to topics including the foreclosure process, prevention, and mortgage scams and fraud. Individuals may speak to a foreclosure prevention counselor for free anytime by calling 1 (877) 894-HOME(4663).

Fair Housing Center of Washington

The Fair Housing Center of Washington works to address and prevent housing discrimination in western and central Washington. It investigates complaints of housing discrimination and provides assistance to people with disabilities in requesting reasonable accommodations and modifications in rental housing. The website has information on topics including fair housing, reasonable accommodations and modifications, service animals, tenant-on-tenant harassment, and contact information for filing a complaint or requesting help with a reasonable accommodation.

Housing Accommodations Explained

Home is where you should be most comfortable. And if you have a disability, you have the right to make your home accessible and request reasonable accommodations. People with disabilities have the same housing rights as other tenants.

Renters’ Rights Training with LGBTQ Allyship & Disability Rights Washington

On August 11, 2021, DRW partnered with LGBTQ Allyship for a virtual Renters’ Rights Workshop, where we discussed modifications, service animals, and accommodations related to renters’ rights. We also discussed payment plans, new or existing laws, and moratorium updates. We recorded the workshop, so that it can be viewed by anyone who wasn’t able to attend.