Nearly 50 years of providing and developing affordable housing opportunities in Washington County.
Begun in 1970 with the creation of the Housing Authority of Washington County, the effort continues today in the Department of Housing Services (DHS). The Department of Housing Services was formed in 1992 to administer housing activities and programs of the County and the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority remains a separate legal entity and contracts with the County to implement and administer Housing Authority programs and all support services (e.g. finance, purchasing, and personnel).
The mission of the Department of Housing Services is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promote community strength. Please follow the link to access the Department of Housing Services 2017-2027 Strategic Plan.
Working in partnership with both the non-profit and the private sector, the Department of Housing Services combines traditional housing programs with economic opportunity to encourage self sufficiency, skill enhancement and independence.
The DHS offers rental assistance to low income households through various federally funded programs, and also creates affordable housing opportunities in the community for low and moderate income households through a combination of creative financing and partnerships with public and private entities.
Additionally, the DHS is the lead agency for A Road Home: Washington County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Upcoming Office Closures
The Department of Housing Services will be closed:
- From 11:45 am - 2:00 pm on Friday, December 14, 2018 for an all-staff meeting.
- Tuesday, December 25, 2018 in observance of Christmas Day.
- Tuesday, January 1, 2018 in observance of New Year's Day.
- From 8:30 am - 10:15 am on Thursday, January 10, 2018 for an all-staff meeting.
- Monday, January 21, 2018 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Please plan your visits to our office accordingly. Thank you!
Housing Services has a Drop Box!
If you have visited the Department of Housing Services recently, you may have noticed this shiny new friend in front of our building.
The drop box was installed to give our program participants and applicants the ability to drop paperwork and payments off any time - whether our office is open or not!
Next time you have paperwork to drop off, you are welcome to save yourself a trip to the second floor and pop your paperwork into the drop-box. It will keep your papers safe and dry until they are retrieved by staff.
The box is incredibly secure, but we do ask that you refrain from leaving cash payments.
If you need a receipt, need to have a copy made from an original document, or need to make a payment in cash, please do come to the front desk during normal business hours and we will be happy to help you.
Waiting List Status
Vouchers and Public Housing
Pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs are no longer being accepted. Households who submitted applications can check their status at www.waitlistcheck.com or by calling 855-868-6507. More information is available here.
Project-Based Vouchers
Applications for Project-Based Vouchers are currently being accepted. To apply, download the application. Please be aware that applicants who have already applied for the Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing may also apply for Project-Based Vouchers. A list of the Project-Based Voucher sites is available here.
Current Applicants
If you are a current applicant and need to update your information, complete an Update Application.
For more information...
Visit our Applicants and Waiting Lists page.
Electronic Payment Options for Landlords and Program Participants
Tired of dealing with Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) checks or Utility Reimbursement Payment (URP) checks? We offer two options for electronic payment - Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and ReliaCard.
Electronic Funds Transfer
EFT payments are electronically transferred directly to the bank account of your choice. To request EFT payments, complete the EFT Application and e-mail it back to us.
ReliaCard
ReliaCard is a benefit card that functions like a debit card. It is loaded automatically each time you receive a payment. For more information, please read the ReliaCard Frequently Asked Questions or ReliaCard Flyer. To request ReliaCard payments, complete the ReliaCard application and email it back to us.
Questions?
If you have questions about either payment method, please send an email to our EFT Contact.
Need to contact someone?
See our Contact List for the most recent caseload assignments and links to e-mail staff.
Frequently Requested Items:
Application for Rental Assistance * Update Application Form * Shelter Resources * Find Rental Housing * Utility Allowance Schedule * Landlord Handbook * Contact List * Resident Newsletter * Maintenance Request (Public Housing Residents) *
Equal Housing Opportunity
Housing opportunities described on any portion of this website are provided regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, mental or physical disability, source of income, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, type of occupation, ethnicity, ancestry, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.