Facing eviction, can you help with back rent in Seattle?

(Request from Leslie in Seattle, Washington) I am facing immediate eviction from my apt, I have received another order to vacate notice stating that I owe, $6,088.00. I need help immediately.

Dear Leslie,

I know that an eviction can be very scary. We want to help you find the appropriate resources so that you are not at risk of homelessness.

There are a couple of facts that we must evaluate. First, it appears that you are now at least 3 months behind on your rent. This is an indication that you have been experiencing considerable hardship over the past few months. Are you currently earning enough to afford your monthly rent payments and all of your other living and transportation costs? If not, then your application for help with back rent will not meet the feasibility requirement. Organizations that help with back rent in Seattle will require that you demonstrate that you can reasonably afford your normal living costs, and that their aid would result in you no longer being at risk for an eviction.

The second fact is that the amount that you owe in rent is a large enough amount that it is unlikely that you will be able to receive the full $6,088 that you owe. What we need to determine is if you will have some of the cash available to put with a rental assistance grant so that when combined, it would make up a substantial portion of the arrears. So we must ask the question, would you be able to afford to pay at least $300-400 per month in addition to your normal costs if your landlord provided you with a repayment installment arrangement to catch up the remaining arrears over the course of a few months?

Here are a couple of organizations that may be able to assist. They provide case management and help with back rent  in Seattle.

  • Catholic Community Services/Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington provides eviction prevention to households going through an emergency situation. Help with rent and utilities are provided to eligible applicants. In situations where the applicant needs to move to a more affordable apartment, the organization can help with security deposits and other move-in cash requirements. Call 253-850-2523 in Seattle, or 425-213-1963 in Eastern King County.
  • Centerstone promotes eviction prevention through rental assistance, especially if you have already received an order to vacate. Call 206-812-4940 for the Housing Assistance program.
  • New Beginnings (206-522-9472) and Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (425-656-7867) can provide rental assistance for situations that involve domestic violence.
  • United Way operates Washington State 211, which is a hotline for getting matched with partner agencies that receive funding to provide rental assistance. Simply call 211 in order to receive a direct referral.

Due to the amount of the arrears, it will be important for you to keep an open mind about options delivered by your case manager. If they think you can afford to stay, they may provide you with financial assistance as well as to negotiate an agreement with your current landlord. Otherwise, you may want to consider a transitional housing program or moving into a more affordable apartment for a permanent outcome.