Resident Information

· Accessibility

· Annual Inspections

· Community Service

· Contacts

· Income Changes

· Work Orders

Employment Resources

Health and
Social Services

Computer Access

Getting Involved

Low-Income Public Housing

Residents in the LIPH  housing program are required to furnish information periodically to the Authority  as to household composition, income and employment.  This process is called Rent Reviews. Residents on a fixed-income (e.g. SSI or pension), report their income every three years.

Annual Reviews

Residents in the LIPH housing program are required to furnish information about household composition, income and employment periodically. This process is called the Annual Review.

Annual Reviews are conducted yearly for each household and is based on "anticipated income and expenses".  Residents on a fixed-income (e.g. SSI or pension), report their income every three years.

A resident’s failure to comply with SHA’s request to complete the required Annual Review may result in the removal of the household’s housing assistance, which means the resident becomes responsible for the full market rent for the unit.  Housing assistance may subsequently be reinstated if the resident submits the income or other data required by SHA to complete the Annual Review. 

Interim Review: Reporting changes in income or household

To accommodate changes in a household's circumstance between annual reviews, Seattle Housing Authority will process an interim review for the following reasons:

• Household size change.

• Unanticipated loss of income.

• An increase in income.

In addition, a resident with a full-time student in the household who no longer qualifies for this status, (e.g., graduated, quit school, reduced credits taken) is required to report that student’s  income as an “increase.”

Between annual reviews, residents are expected to report any change in income and or household composition to the housing authority no later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence.  You may phone in changes or submit them in writing to your building's management team, and they will initiate an interim review if needed.

If a resident fails to report, in a timely manner, income or household composition changes that would result in a rent increase, a new rent amount will be calculated.  That amount will be applied back to the date the income or household change occurred and the resident will owe SHA back rent.

How to Complete a Review

Current information is needed in order to accurately conduct your review.  You are required to provide written verification for everyone 18 years or older who will be living in your household and furnish all sources of income you expect to receive for all household members.  To view items to bring click here: What to Bring?

Notice of a Rent Change.

Residents shall be given a minimum of 30-days notice of a rent increase.  If the rent increase is greater than 10 percent, 60-days notice will be given in accordance with Seattle Landlord Tenant law.  In cases of fraud or non-compliance, a new rent amount will be applied back to the date the income or household change occurred and the resident will owe SHA back rent

If the reported change in income is due to the resident becoming employed after being without employment for the past six consecutive months, and the change is reported no later than 14 days from the date of employment, a 90-day notice of the rent increase will be given.

Seattle Senior Housing Program

The income of SSHP residents is reviewed when they first apply to the program. After their initial move-in, income reviews are not required.