Increasing rents have especially hurt low-income households. Existing affordable units have been lost. Even as private housing market rents increase throughout the city, hundreds of affordable rental units may be lost over the next several years. Approximately 3,900 units in Seattle are kept affordable through federal operating subsidies, primarily through HUD's Project-Based Section 8 Program. A similar phenomenon is occurring with units subsidized through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
Housing discrimination makes the rental market even more difficult for many.
Many households face an additional barrier in this tight market, in the form of discrimination due to their race, sexual orientation, age, presence of children in their family or other factors. Additional testing may be necessary along with increased resources for landlord education and enforcement. If you have any technical questions or comments about this site contact the Web Manager .