Screening criteria
Like most landlords, SHA screens rental applicants.
- To be considered suitable, you must be able to pay rent when due, take care of the unit, and live peacefully with your neighbors.
- SHA investigates housing history, credit history, employment and criminal history.
- SHA’s federally subsidized housing is exempt from the City of Seattle’s First in Time Ordinance requirement that landlords rent to the first person who submits a complete housing application.
- The City of Seattle requires all landlords to inform applicants that the landlord is prohibited from taking an adverse action against a tenant based on eviction history occurring during or within six months after the end of the civil emergency proclaimed by Mayor Jenny Durkan on March 3, 2020, and that the Seattle Office for Civil Rights is the department that will enforce any violations of this ordinance. For low-income public housing applicants, this prohibition may be superseded by federal law and US Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations in some circumstances.
Citizenship and immigration status
- For SHA’s Low-Income Public Housing or Seattle Senior Housing Program, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen at the time of application. However, at the time of move-in at least one household member must either be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status. Full assistance is provided to households where every member has eligible citizenship status. Pro-rated assistance is provided to households with at least one eligible member.
- Your immigration eligibility will be verified after you are contacted about a vacancy. Learn more about how citizenship and immigration status affects assistance.
- Citizenship and immigration status requirements vary in the Special Portfolio and Tax Credit programs
Questions? Contact us