Potential federal impacts on Seattle Housing Authority

Updated November 14, 2025

Five key things to know

  1.  A Continuing Resolution has been passed, ending the shut down and fully funding the government through January 30, 2026. Housing Choice Vouchers payments, housing subsidy payments and all SHA services are continuing uninterrupted and SNAP benefits are expected to resume immediately.

  2. Although federal budget cuts are expected for 2026, we have an approach for keeping SHA tenants and services stable, while still making progress on needed building projects.

  3. Federal funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program will stop by the end of next year. SHA is exploring options to absorb or gradually phase out this program to the extent possible, and will notify both tenants and landlords at least 12 months in advance about what to expect. 

  4. Help is available for residents looking for information about immigration, food resources and Medicaid/Apple Health. While SHA cannot give legal advice, there are other trusted organizations that can assist.

1. SHA’s housing and voucher programs uninterrupted; SNAP is restored

Capitol dome

Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to end the shutdown and fully fund the government through January 30, 2026. The federal government re-opened and resumed operations on Thursday, November 13.  

During the shutdown, there was no disruption to our Housing Choice Vouchers or to our subsidy payments for residents of SHA housing. We will continue to monitor events at the federal level so we can do everything we can to ensure our services to residents will not be disrupted. 

SNAP benefits are expected to resume immediately and recipients should begin to receive their full November benefit on their usual issuance date. SNAP (food) benefits have been funded through September of 2026, so we do not expect any more disruption to this important program in the near future. 

For the latest updates on SNAP, visit dshs.wa.gov. 

2. Federal budget changes and SHA impacts

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed on July 4, 2025, created new rules and funding levels for many federal programs. It includes cuts to housing, health care, education and other key social services. 

Although we believe cuts to housing will be part of the federal budget, we won’t know the specific impact until Congress reconvenes and decides how money will be distributed through the appropriations process. In the meantime, SHA has an approach for keeping SHA tenants and services stable. Our 2026 budget maintains: 

  • Services that residents rely on, including maintenance, safety, security and resident supportive services. 
  • Our voucher program, which will help more families than ever. 
  • Staffing levels, as their work for residents remains a top priority. 
  • Our real estate development pipeline, which includes our redevelopment projects for current residents, and building projects needed to meet Seattle’s need for affordable housing. 

In order to protect residents and voucher recipients, we will continue to monitor events at the federal level and to manage our resources carefully in order to better adapt to the anticipated federal cuts in 2026 and beyond. As events continue to evolve, we will share updates when information is reliable and useful for decision making. 

3. Changes to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program

The Emergency Housing Voucher Program has been an essential tool for providing safe and affordable housing to Seattle residents. EHVs were part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and were designed to assist individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking. 

Although the program was originally meant to run through 2030, the federal government has decided to end funding in 2026. 

SHA will continue to make rental payments to voucher recipients through next year, and both recipients and landlords are being notified of the change. SHA has also committed to giving recipients and landlords at least 12 months’ notice. 

In the meantime, SHA is working with local partners to find new solutions and support options. 

If you are an EHV program recipient and need more information, email EHV@seattlehousing.org. 

 

4. Help is available for residents looking for information about immigration, food resources and Medicaid/Apple Health.

Immigration 

Some residents may have concerns about immigration issues or possible enforcement by ICE or the police. SHA staff cannot provide legal advice, but other organizations can. View a list of organizations who can help on immigration issues.   

Medicaid/Apple Health 

New eligibility rules will go into effect in 2026 and 2027. While SHA does not administer Medicaid, it is an essential resource for many of our tenants and voucher recipients. We urge you to go to them directly for more information at hca.wa.gov. 

  • Medicare and Medicaid: Nonpartisan analysis from KFF (formerly Kaiser Family Foundation) 

SNAP Benefits 

New eligibility rules will go into effect in 2026 and 2027. While SHA does not administer SNAP, it is an essential resource for many of our tenants and voucher recipients. We urge you to go to them directly for more information at dshs.wa.gov. 

If you are in need of food right now, visit wa211.org/resources/food or foodlifeline.org/find-food