How to apply to THA’s Waitlists

You can apply for housing assistance using THA’s online service portal. Powered by RentCafe, our applicant portal allows you to check your application status and keep your contact information up to date.

Once you’ve registered, log in with your username and password. On the first page, you can select your preferred language, and then click Next.  

You’ll then be asked to enter your contact information. Required fields have a red asterisk next to them. Once you complete all fields, click Next.

On the “Family Members” page, you will see a list of household members, with your name listed as the “Head of Household.” Click the “More Info Needed” button, fill in the required fields, and then click Save.

If you have other household members, add them one at a time. Click “Add Household Member” and complete the required fields as you did for the Head of Household. Do this until you have added every member of your household.

Once all family members have been added, click Next. 

The Annual Income section will ask you to enter the total household income for all adults. It may include wages, Social Security, and welfare benefits. If your household has no income, enter zero.

The household income you enter when you apply will not be used to decide if you qualify for housing assistance. We will determine eligibility when you are selected from the waitlist.

Next, the Special Circumstances page will ask for a few specific details about your household. Check the boxes if any apply to you; otherwise, click Next.

The Waiting Lists page shows a list of the open waitlists that you can apply for:

You can apply to any or all of these waitlists. Once you’ve selected the waiting lists you want to apply for, click Next. 

The final page shows a summary of your application. Click each tab to check the info. To make a change, you can use the links in the navigation menu to go back to the section you want to edit.

When you’re done, check the box next to “I accept the above terms and conditions” and click Next. You will see a confirmation page, showing that your application was submitted. 

After you apply

You should receive an email confirmation once your application has been submitted. If you don’t receive an email, be sure to check your spam folder! Your household is now on THA’s waitlists.

Even if your household meets all income and eligibility requirements, there are many households on the waitlist, and it may take a few years to be selected for a subsidy offer. In the meantime, make sure to update your application if your household or contact information changes.

You will receive another email when your application is accepted.

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If you experience any errors or issues during the application process, please contact the Tacoma Housing Authority by emailing , or call (253) 207-4400.