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Tacoma Housing Authority

Waiting Lists

Learn more about Tacoma Housing Authority.

Closed: Tacoma, Washington Section 8 HCV

The Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) last accepted Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications April 3, 2023, until April 17, 2023. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

There were three ways to apply during the opening period:

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. In person at the following locations: THA main office, The Salishan Family Investment Center, or The Bay Terrace apartments.
  3. Call the THA.

Income limit information can be found here.

Preferences have not been confirmed.

It was not known how selected applicants were placed on the waiting list.

For more information, visit the THA website.

Sources: this information was verified by the THA notice on March 24, 2023.

Service Area

This waiting list is for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance in Tacoma, Washington.

Last Updated on 04/17/2023.

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Closed: Tacoma, Washington Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) Low-Income

The Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) voucher waiting list is closed.

The THA last accepted applications for this waiting list on a limited basis from November 15, 2021, until December 3, 2021. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

Please note: According to the THA public notice, this waiting list was for "Households of nine or ten that meet the income eligibility requirements."

Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) is offered in place of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. The THA website states that the "Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) is a rent reform program for all new admissions to THA’s tenant-based program. The goal is to help our participants achieve true self-sufficiency by assisting them with their housing needs for a specific term. This incentivizes our participants to focus on securing better employment and prepares them for a better future."

There were two ways to apply during the opening period: 

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. Call the THA to apply over the phone.

The maximum income limit for each household size were as follows:

  • 9 Persons $101,750
  • 10 Persons $107,550

Preferences have not yet been confirmed.

50 applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery.

For more information, visit the THA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the THA public notice on November 5, 2021.

Last Updated on 12/03/2021.

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Closed: THA-Owned Properties Low-Income

The Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) last accepted THA-Owned Properties waiting list applications from April 3, 2023, until April 17, 2023. There is no notice when this waiting list will reopen.

There were three ways to apply during the opening period:

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. In person at the following locations: THA main office, The Salishan Family Investment Center, or The Bay Terrace apartments.
  3. Call the THA.

Income limit information can be found here.

Preferences have not been confirmed.

It was not known how selected applicants were placed on the waiting list.

For more information, visit the THA website.

Sources: this information was verified by the THA notice on March 24, 2023.

Service Area

This waiting list is for Other rental assistance in Tacoma, Washington.

Last Updated on 04/17/2023.

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About Tacoma Housing Authority

902 South L Street, Tacoma, WA | Visit Website | (253) 207-4400

Tacoma Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 5,098 low and moderate income households through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs..

In addition, Tacoma Housing Authority offers other programs for eligible households, including:

  • Moving to Work
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)

Housing Authority Jurisdiction

Low-income housing managed by Tacoma Housing Authority is located in Tacoma, WA.

Households with a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher managed by this housing authority must rent within its jurisdiction.

About the Tacoma Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Tacoma Housing Authority manages 4,435 active Housing Choice Vouchers.

The following table summarizes types of vouchers managed and the monthly costs of each as of December 31st, 2021:

Family Unification Tenant Protection Moving To Work VASH Non-Elderly Disabled
Vouchers 106 52 3,238 159 85
Monthly Cost Per Voucher $934 $651 $800 $729 $775
Monthly Cost $99,050 $33,842 $2,589,713 $115,985 $65,883
Waiting List and Tenancy

According to the 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households database, the housing authority's voucher program has an annual turnover of 9% having issued approximately 483 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 26 years and 5 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of -1 months on the waiting list1.

Income Characteristics

According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.3 persons and has a household income of $14,462 per year. 94% of households were very low income (VLI) and 74% were extremely low income (ELI). 25% of households had wages as a major source of income, 5% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 67% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.

Heads of Household Characteristics

2% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 48% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 25% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 25% were headed by a person 62 years old or older. In addition, 2% of households were headed by a person 85 years old or older.

43% of households included children, 6% of which had two adults in the household. 39% of households with children have a female head of household. 76% of all households were headed by a female.

55% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 35% of all heads of households being Black and 2% being Hispanic.

Of all households participating in the Tacoma Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 28% include at least one person with a disability. 45% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 77% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.

Bedroom Size and Overhousing

39% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 35% with 2 bedrooms and 26% with 3 or more bedrooms. 15% of voucher recipients are considered overhoused, meaning they occupy a rental unit larger than their family size requires.

Rent, Assistance, and Utility Allowances

The average monthly tenant contribution to rent by Tacoma Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $381 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $877. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $117.

1. This Picture of Subsidized Households data field is the average wait time of those who received a voucher in the preceding 12 months. Due to special voucher programs like VASH, recent waiting list purges, or waiting list preferences the average wait time can vary significantly from one year to the next and it is entirely possible many current applicants on the waiting list have been waiting for assistance for far longer.