Online pre-application instructions
The Seattle Housing Authority's online pre-application form allows you to apply for all of SHA's housing programs, including public housing, senior housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). Filling out the form is easy. Every page has specific instructions for answering each question. If you respond to questions incorrectly, the form will ask you to correct them. You may also save an incomplete application at any time and complete it later.
After you submit your application, SHA will send you a confirmation letter. If you do not receive a confirmation letter within six weeks, or if any of the information in your confirmation letter is incorrect, contact us immediately.
We recommend that you use SHA's Application Guide, available for download on our Downloads page, to help you as you fill out the online application form. The Application Guide includes all the information you need to know to complete the form.
On the first page of the application, you will be asked to choose a user name and password. Your user name and password identify you, and allow you to save an incomplete application and complete it later. You will also be asked to choose a personal question and answer that we will use to identify you in case you forget your password.
Saving your application for later
You can save an incomplete application and complete it later. To save an application, just click the "Sign out & save" link on the left side of each page. Any information you have entered up until that point will be saved. To retrieve your information later, return to this page and click on the "Sign in & finish" link on the left. You will need your user name and password to access a saved application.
Making changes to your application
After you submit your application, you will only be able to make changes by visiting PorchLight or writing to PorchLight. (For more information on common changes, and how to request them, see our Application FAQs page.) As you are working on your application, however, you may change your information as frequently as you want. You will also have an opportunity to review all of your information at the end before you submit your application.
Submitting information through our online application form is as secure as shopping online. In addition, SHA will not share your information with other parties.
Completing SHA's application for housing assistance is faster and easier if you gather all the required information ahead of time. In order to fill out the online application, please be prepared to provide:
A current mailing address and telephone number where we can reach you
Names of everyone who will live with you, including unborn children
Social Security numbers for everyone who will live with you
Dates of birth for everyone who will live with you
The sex (male/female) of everyone who will live with you
The race and ethnicity of everyone who will live with you
The disability or handicap status of everyone who will live with you
The primary language of the head of household
The current living situation (for example, "homeless" or "not homeless") of the household
The value of all household assets (for example, bank accounts, investments and real estate)
The total monthly income of the household (including all family members)
The sources of all income (wages, pensions, TANF and others)
The housing programs for which you want to apply
If you have gathered the required information, the online application takes about 30 minutes to complete.