Housing Assistance
Types of Housing Assistance
THA’s housing assistance comes in two different forms: A rental unit owned by THA, or a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) to help you pay for housing you rent from private owners.
You will be asked to choose between these options when you are selected from the waitlist, so this information can help you make the best decision for your household.
If neither option fits your needs, you can decline assistance and have your application returned to the waiting list to be served at a later date.
Housing Choice Voucher Offer
An offer of HCV allows the voucher holder an opportunity to select a rental unit in the private market within THA’s Tacoma boundaries. The Landlords will determine the contract rent, security deposit and eligibility criteria.
THA Owned Unit Offer
An offer of a THA Owned Unit limits the offer to only THA owned units that fit your household composition and income. THA contract rents are affordable, and you will not pay more than 30% of your gross household income toward rent. THA security deposits do not exceed $600.
Differences Between a THA Owned Unit and a Voucher
How do I find housing?
- Housing Choice Voucher: You are responsible for finding housing within THA’s jurisdiction. You have 90 days to shop with your voucher. If you do not find housing within 90 days, you can request a 120-day extension. The housing you find must be affordable and pass THA inspection to ensure it is safe.
View THA’s jurisdiction area - THA Owned Unit: THA staff will notify you which unit(s) you qualify for based on your household size. You are allowed one opportunity to turn down a unit offer for good cause.
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What size apartment/house can I rent?
THA’s occupancy standard is “two heartbeats per bedroom” regardless of age or gender. For example, if there are 3 or 4 people in your household, we would target a 2-bedroom unit for you. This standard applies for both THA owned units and voucher offers.
- Housing Choice Voucher: THA will decide a voucher amount according to our payment standards and based on your household size. You can use your voucher to rent a larger unit, but you will be responsible for paying any extra cost, not THA.
Payment standards for Housing Choice Vouchers - THA Owned Unit: THA will place you in a unit that fits your household size. If the size of your household changes after you move into a unit, we may have you move to another unit that fits your new household size. If medically necessary, you may make a request for reasonable accommodation to move your family to a larger unit.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests
How much rent do I pay?
- Housing Choice Voucher: THA will determine how much you can afford to pay based on your income, and then cover the difference up to the applicable payment standard.
Generally, clients pay 30% of their income towards rent. If you have no income, your monthly payment will be $25-$75, with the voucher covering the rest. The exact amount will be determined by THA staff.
If you rent a unit more expensive than the payment standard associated with your voucher size, you are responsible for the extra cost. - THA Owned Unit: THA will charge no more than 30% of your gross household income. If you have no income, your monthly rent will be $25-$75. The exact amount will be determined by THA staff.
What utilities are included?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Utility rates are determined by the property owner, and will vary based on the property and unit.
- THA Owned Unit: THA’s family units include water, sewer, and garbage. THA’s 1 bedroom Senior/Disabled units include all utilities.
How much is the security deposit?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Security deposits will be set by individual landlords, although there may be limitations on what a landlord can charge. Please visit Fair Housing Center of Washington for more details.
Fair Housing Center of Washington - THA Owned Unit: THA charges a security deposit of $375 for a 1-bedroom unit, $475 for 2 bedrooms, $550 for 3 bedrooms, and $600 for 4 and 5 bedrooms.
Renters in the City of Tacoma may pay their security deposits in installments, with no interest or additional fees.
Does THA provide security deposit assistance?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Housing Choice Voucher recipients may be eligible for security deposit assistance. Please check with your Housing Specialist to see if you qualify.
- THA Owned Unit: Households earning 30% or less of Area Median Income (AMI) can meet with THA’s Client Support & Empowerment team for an assessment. THA will provide assistance as long as funds are available and households meet the criteria. The City of Tacoma also allows for deposits to be paid over a 6 month period if the family does not qualify for THA Deposit Assistance.
Income Limits for Tacoma
Are pets allowed?
Is there parking?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Parking will depend on the property, and depends on what the property owner decides to offer.
- THA Owned Unit: All THA properties have parking. Residents at all properties except Salishan will need to apply for a parking permit, and you will need a valid license, registration, and up-to-date car tabs.
If something in my house/unit needs repair, who do I call?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Repairs and maintenance will be managed by the property owner.
- THA Owned Unit: THA has a full maintenance staff to address any repairs.
What happens if I want to move?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Notify your landlord and THA that you want to move once your lease ends. You will be issued a new shopping voucher and have 90 days to find housing.
- THA Owned Unit: After one year of tenancy, if you are in good standing, you can request a voucher to rent on the private market. We will issue you a voucher as soon as one becomes available.
Moving & Portability
How strict is the screening process?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Screenings will be managed by the property owner and may vary based on the property.
- THA Owned Unit: THA has lower screening criteria than most landlords. We are willing to work with families that have no/poor credit or rental history.
Am I required to sign a 1-year lease?
- Housing Choice Voucher: The length of the lease is determined by the property owner. Voucher holders can take leases that are shorter than 1 year.
- THA Owned Unit: Yes. All THA units require a 1-year lease.
Once I’m approved, how much time will it take until I’m housed?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Once you are issued a voucher, you have 90 days to find housing. You may request a 120-day extension.
- THA Owned Unit: The unit is immediately available. Once it is offered, you have 3 days to sign a lease.
Can I tour the available unit?
- Housing Choice Voucher: The property owner can decide whether to offer a tour.
- THA Owned Unit: You can tour the unit once it is ready. We also have virtual tours available with our property listings, and we also recommend driving by the properties to make an informed decision.
View our properties
Am I eligible for any unit?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Eligibility is determined by the property owner and may vary based on the property or unit.
- THA Owned Unit: THA staff will determine which units you are eligible for based on your household income and the size of your household. THA’s occupancy standard is “two heartbeats per bedroom” regardless of age or gender.
Can I smoke in my unit?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Smoking policy is set by the property owner and may vary depending on the property or unit.
- THA Owned Unit: Smoking is not allowed in THA units.
Is there an elevator?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Depends on the property.
- THA Owned Unit: All of THA’s multi-story complexes and THA’s 1-bedroom Senior/Disabled properties have elevators.
Is there security?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Security arrangements are managed by the property owner and will vary based on the property.
- THA Owned Unit: Many THA properties have secured entries. Please check our property listings for a complete list of amenities including security.
View our properties
Is there a washer/dryer in the unit?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Amenities will vary based on the property and unit.
- THA Owned Unit: THA does not provide washers and dryers in the unit. Some THA units have washer/dryer hook ups, and all properties have on-site laundry facilities.
Does my credit score matter?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Landlords may require minimum credit scores.
Review a free credit report - THA Owned Unit: THA does not consider credit scores when determining eligibility for the program.
Will a past eviction impact my eligibility?
- Housing Choice Voucher: Eligibility is determined by the property owner and may vary based on the property or unit.
- THA Owned Unit: THA will not automatically disqualify a household with evictions. We will consider evictions on a case-by-case basis.