What Washington's New Shelter and Supportive Housing Law Actually Does

Washington State's 2024 legislation targeting homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing directly addresses one of the most persistent barriers to getting people off the street: local zoning rules that made it difficult or impossible to open new facilities. For people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Washington, this change may mean more shelter beds and more permanent supportive housing units become available in communities across the state — including in areas where such facilities were previously blocked by local ordinance.

This article explains what the law changes, what permanent supportive housing actually is, which federal and state programs may be available to you right now, and the concrete steps you can take to start accessing help.

---

Data Snapshot: Housing Instability in Washington State

According to HUD's 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), Washington State counted approximately 25,211 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023 — the fourth-highest total of any state in the country. Of that count, roughly 67% were sheltered in emergency shelters or transitional housing, while 33% were unsheltered, living in places not meant for human habitation such as vehicles, encampments, or doorways.

On the funding side, HUD allocated over $3.16 billion in Continuum of Care (CoC) grants nationally for fiscal year 2023 to support homeless services and permanent supportive housing placements across the U.S. (source: HUD CoC Program — hud.gov). Washington State CoC grantees received a meaningful share of that funding, supporting thousands of housing placements annually across the state's multiple CoC regions.

These numbers illustrate exactly why removing zoning barriers matters in practice: even when federal funding exists and nonprofit providers are ready to build, local zoning restrictions have historically prevented facilities from opening — leaving funding underutilized and people without housing.

---

What Changed Under the New Washington Law

Before this legislation, local governments in Washington had broad authority to use zoning codes to restrict where homeless shelters and supportive housing facilities could be sited — or to impose lengthy, expensive permitting processes that effectively killed projects before groundbreaking.

The new law limits that local authority in two primary ways.

Zoning Preemption for Emergency Shelters

Local jurisdictions can no longer use zoning rules to outright prohibit emergency shelters in areas where other comparable uses — such as group homes or residential care facilities — are already permitted. This approach is known as zoning preemption: the state establishes a minimum standard that local ordinances cannot undercut. A city cannot simply zone shelters out of existence if it allows similar residential facilities in the same area.

Streamlined Permitting for Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent supportive housing projects may now face fewer local permitting hurdles, potentially reducing the time and cost required to get a facility approved and operational. For nonprofit housing developers and public housing authorities, permitting delays have historically been one of the most significant cost drivers — sometimes adding years to a project timeline. Reducing that friction may allow more projects to move from planning to occupancy.

What This Law Does Not Do

This legislation removes legal barriers — it does not automatically create new housing units. Construction, financing, and staffing still take time. If you need housing assistance right now, the programs described below are your most immediate options. The law's impact will be felt gradually, as more facilities are able to open in communities that previously blocked them.

---

What Is Permanent Supportive Housing?

Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is a well-documented housing model that pairs long-term, stable, affordable housing with voluntary supportive services — including mental health counseling, substance use treatment, employment support, and case management. It is specifically designed for people with chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, physical disabilities, or other complex, long-term needs.

Several features distinguish PSH from shelters or transitional programs:

  • Tenants hold a lease and have full tenant rights under state landlord-tenant law — this is permanent housing, not a temporary placement
  • Services are voluntary — participation in mental health or other services is not a condition of keeping your housing
  • Units are affordable — typically priced at 30%–50% of Area Median Income (AMI), with rental assistance often covering the gap between that and actual market rent
  • Funding is layered — most PSH projects combine HUD CoC grants, Housing Choice Vouchers, and state or local funding sources

If you have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness and have a disabling condition, permanent supportive housing may be worth exploring through your local CoC. Referrals typically come through the CoC assessment process, not through direct application to a facility.

---

Housing Assistance Programs That May Be Available in Washington State

1. HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program

Washington has multiple CoC regions — including the King County CoC, the Spokane CoC, and several others covering rural and suburban areas — each coordinating local homeless services and housing placements. Your local CoC is typically the entry point into the broader system. CoC staff conduct standardized assessments and connect people to available resources including PSH, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing programs.

How to connect: Call 211 anywhere in Washington State, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit wa211.org to find local resources and request a housing assessment.

2. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

Administered locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), Section 8 vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in the private market by covering the difference between what a household can afford and the actual rent. Eligibility is generally set at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), with priority often given to households at or below 30% AMI.

Documents typically required for a Section 8 application include: - Government-issued photo ID for all adult household members - Social Security cards or equivalent documentation - Proof of income (recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or tax returns) - Rental history or landlord references - Documentation of any disability, if applying for priority status

Section 8 waitlists in Washington are often long, and some are closed to new applicants entirely. Contact your local PHA directly to check current waitlist status before gathering documents. A directory of Washington State PHAs is available through HUD at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts.

3. Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)

Created under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Emergency Housing Vouchers are a targeted category of Section 8 vouchers for people experiencing homelessness, those fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking, or households at imminent risk of homelessness. EHVs were distributed to PHAs through HUD and, in some areas, may have shorter effective wait times than standard Section 8.

EHV referrals typically come through local CoC partners, domestic violence service providers, or other designated agencies — not through direct application to a PHA. Contact your local CoC via 211 to ask about current EHV availability in your area.

4. Washington State DSHS Housing Support Services

For individuals receiving Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), additional housing support services may be available, including help with deposits, utility arrears, and connection to supportive housing. Contact DSHS at 1-877-501-2233 or visit dshs.wa.gov for current program information.

5. HUD-VASH for Veterans

If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness, the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA case management services. Contact your nearest VA Medical Center or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1 to be connected to VA housing resources.

---

Step-by-Step: How to Start Accessing Housing Help in Washington

Step 1: Call 211 This is the fastest first move available to you. Washington's 211 system connects callers to local housing resources, current shelter availability, and CoC intake. It is available 24 hours a day by phone and can be reached by simply dialing 2-1-1 from any phone in the state.

Step 2: Request a Housing Assessment Your local CoC uses a standardized assessment tool to evaluate your housing needs and match you with available programs. Be as complete and honest as possible about your situation — the assessment determines which programs you may be referred to, including PSH, rapid rehousing, or emergency shelter.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents While waiting for a placement or voucher, begin collecting the following: - Government-issued photo ID for all adults in your household - Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) - Birth certificates for all children in the household - Proof of income or current benefit award letters - Medical or disability documentation, if applicable - Any prior eviction records or rental history (having these ready can prevent delays)

Step 4: Contact Your Local PHA About Section 8 Reach out to your local Public Housing Authority to ask about waitlist status and any upcoming open enrollment periods. Even if a waitlist is currently closed, ask when it may reopen and whether there is a notification list you can join.

Step 5: Follow Up Consistently Waitlists move, and contact information changes. Check in with your CoC and PHA regularly — at minimum every 30 to 60 days — to confirm your place on any lists and update your address or phone number if it changes. Missing a notification can result in losing your place.

---

A Realistic Look at Timelines

Housing assistance is rarely immediate, and setting realistic expectations can help you stay engaged with the process rather than becoming discouraged.

  • Emergency shelter placement can sometimes happen within days through a 211 referral, depending on local availability.
  • Rapid rehousing programs may place households within weeks to a few months, with short-term rental assistance to stabilize housing quickly.
  • Section 8 vouchers and permanent supportive housing placements can take months to years, depending on local waitlist length and unit availability.

Washington's new zoning law may gradually improve these timelines as more facilities are able to open in previously restricted communities — but that impact will take time to materialize. Starting the process early and staying actively engaged with your local CoC remains the most practical step available right now.

---

Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Last reviewed: July 2025