Since 1940, THA has been supporting affordable housing in Tacoma, and our work interacts with the community in many ways. These Q&As explore some of the most common questions about who we are, how we work, and our relationships with institutions throughout Tacoma and Pierce County.
Is the Tacoma Housing Authority a department of the City of Tacoma?
No. Although we often partner with the City on affordable housing developments and the Mayor of Tacoma appoints our Board of Commissioners, THA is an independent public agency, not a city department.
THA was founded in accordance with the state’s Housing Authorities Law, which called for housing authorities that operate independently from local governments. We were established by a resolution of the Tacoma City Council, but we are governed by a board of five volunteer commissioners. Our commissioners are appointed by the mayor, but they do not work for the city, and state law bars any commissioner from being a city officer or employee.
Likewise, while our programs receive some support from the City of Tacoma, most of our funding does not come from the city or local taxes. Our single largest source of funds is the U.S. federal government, which supports our rental assistance vouchers and other housing programs. We also receive funding from grants and rental income, and our budget is set by THA’s staff and commissioners to advance our mission of providing high quality, stable and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need.
How is THA funded?
Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) is funded through a combination of federal funding, rental income, grants, and other financing sources. Most of our funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which supports housing vouchers, affordable housing communities, and other housing programs that serve low-income households.
In addition to federal funding, THA receives rental income from residents and commercial tenants in THA-owned properties. This income helps pay for property operations, repay loans used to build housing, and fund ongoing capital improvements. THA pursues grants and other funding opportunities to support housing development, property improvements, resident services, and community programs.
These funding sources allow us to provide affordable housing and rental assistance to thousands of households each year, preserve and maintain existing housing, develop new affordable homes, and offer supportive services that help individuals and families achieve long-term housing stability.
While THA is a public housing authority, we are not funded primarily through local taxes. Instead, we rely largely on federal housing resources and other program revenues to carry out our mission of providing safe, stable, and affordable housing opportunities throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. For more information on our federal funding, please visit tacomahousing.org/federal.
What role does THA play in addressing the regional homelessness crisis?
THA plays an important role in addressing homelessness and housing instability in Tacoma and Pierce County. We provide affordable housing, rental assistance vouchers, and supportive services to about 5,000 households, many of whom have extremely low incomes and, without rental assistance, could not afford to rent anywhere in the city.
Our work goes beyond providing housing. Through partnerships with local service providers, schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies, we help individuals and families access resources that support long-term housing stability, including employment assistance, education programs, case management, and connections to community services.
We also support people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless through specialized housing programs, targeted rental assistance, and properties that exclusively house homeless or at-risk youth like Arlington Drive. By preserving existing affordable housing, developing new affordable communities, and helping people remain stably housed, THA works alongside community partners to reduce homelessness and strengthen our community.
Why is the Tacoma Housing Authority facing funding challenges?
The federal government has reduced funding for subsidized housing programs. At the same time, THA’s largest housing program, rental assistance vouchers, has become more expensive to operate. This is because THA pays to subsidize households renting from private landlords. Rents have increased faster than Federal funding. Additionally, housing authorities and nonprofit housing providers have experienced significant increases in insurance premiums, construction costs, maintenance expenses, utilities, and other operating costs. For example, Federal funding was cut by 1%, but the average monthly payment we make for rental vouchers increased by 4%.
These pressures have created funding gaps for many affordable housing organizations like THA, making it more difficult to preserve existing housing, develop new affordable homes, and meet the growing demand for housing assistance. While the need for affordable housing continues to grow, available resources have not kept pace.
At THA, we work diligently to maximize every dollar we receive by combining federal funding with rental income, grants, partnerships, and other financing tools. We continually look for new ways to operate efficiently, preserve existing housing, and secure additional resources so we can continue serving thousands of households in Tacoma and Pierce County.
The challenge is not unique to Tacoma. Housing authorities and affordable housing providers nationwide are grappling with the same reality: demand for affordable housing far exceeds the resources available to provide it. As housing costs continue to rise, sustained investment in affordable housing and rental assistance remains critical to ensure that low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities can access safe and stable housing.
What types of housing assistance does THA offer?
THA primarily provides housing assistance in two ways: affordable homes owned by THA and rental assistance vouchers that help people pay rent in privately owned housing. We also offer specialized housing programs for veterans, families reunifying with children, people with disabilities, youth transitioning out of foster care, and other households with unique housing needs.
For households living in THA-owned housing, we provide affordable rental homes in communities located throughout Tacoma. These properties serve a variety of household types, including families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, THA helps households rent homes from private landlords. Participants can choose a home that meets program requirements (including rigorous housing quality standards), and THA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, making housing more affordable for low-income households.
THA also administers project-based vouchers, which are attached to specific housing developments. These vouchers help keep designated units affordable for residents while expanding the supply of affordable housing in Tacoma and Pierce County.
In addition, THA partners with community organizations to provide specialized housing assistance for populations with unique needs, including homeless veterans through HUD-VASH, families involved with the child welfare system through the Family Unification Program, youth transitioning from foster care through the Foster Youth to Independence program, and people with disabilities through Mainstream and Non-Elderly Disabled vouchers.
Beyond housing assistance, THA offers supportive services that help people remain stably housed. These services include but aren’t limited to case management, employment and education support, connections to community resources, and programs designed to help families build long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Together, these programs help thousands of households access safe, stable, and affordable housing while providing the support they need to thrive. For more information on our housing assistance, visit tacomahousing.org/housing.
Does THA offer programming and services for kids?
Yes! Through our Client Support & Empowerment team and community partners, THA offers a variety of programs that support children, youth, and families. These programs help young people succeed academically, build positive relationships, and access enriching opportunities that support their long-term well-being.
Programs available at THA communities include summer camps with free lunches, after-school activities, educational enrichment programs, mentorship opportunities, arts and STEM programming, and social-emotional learning activities. Many of these programs are offered in partnership with local nonprofits and community organizations that bring specialized services and expertise to our properties.
THA also works to remove barriers that can make it harder for families to thrive. Through our Client Services & Empowerment team, residents can access school supplies, referrals to community resources, family support services, and connections to educational and employment opportunities.
Our goal is to ensure that children and families have more than just a stable place to live. We strive to create opportunities for residents to learn, grow, connect with their community, and build a strong foundation for future success.
I need housing immediately. Can THA help?
If you need housing right away, we encourage you to call or text (253) 572-HELP or dial 211. These services can connect you with emergency shelter, rental assistance, and other housing resources that may be immediately available in the community. Additional resources can be found here: [link to THA resources page].
THA can provide housing assistance only to households selected from our waitlists. Our waitlists are open year-round, and you can apply any time at tacomahousing.org/waitlist. Unfortunately, because demand for affordable housing far exceeds the available funding and housing supply, wait times can be lengthy. In many cases, it may take several years before a household receives a housing voucher or an opportunity to move into a THA-owned affordable housing community.
While you wait, it is important to keep your contact information up to date and complete the quarterly Save My Spot check-ins so that you remain on the waitlist. We also encourage applicants to explore other housing programs and community resources while they wait, as additional services may be available to help meet immediate housing needs.
We understand that waiting for housing assistance can be frustrating, especially during a housing crisis. THA remains committed to expanding affordable housing opportunities and serving as many households as possible with the resources available to us.
Where am I on the waitlist?
Households are selected from the waitlist at random using a lottery system, so we cannot predict when you will be chosen.
Until you are selected, please be sure to complete your Quarterly Waitlist Check-In every 3 months. To complete your quarterly check-in, log in to the Applicant Portal, select the “Save My Spot” tile, and review your application. You must complete your “Save My Spot” activity by the 25th of the month, or as indicated in the email reminders sent the first week of the quarterly “Save My Spot” month.
Does THA manage all of its properties?
No. THA manages many of the properties it owns, but some are operated by partner organizations or professional property management companies. In other cases, THA leases land to nonprofit or private development partners that build, own, and manage affordable housing communities serving Tacoma residents.
These partnerships allow THA to expand the supply of affordable housing, leverage additional funding sources, and bring specialized expertise to housing development and property operations. By working with a variety of partners, THA helps to create and preserve more affordable homes than would be possible through direct ownership and management alone.
The level of THA’s involvement can vary from property to property. In some communities, THA owns the property and conducts management directly. In others, THA may provide land, financing, rental assistance, or other support while a partner organization is responsible for day-to-day operations, leasing, maintenance, and resident services.
Regardless of who manages a property, THA remains focused on ensuring residents have access to safe, stable, and sustainable housing. We work closely with our partners to maintain quality housing, support residents, and advance our mission of expanding affordable housing opportunities throughout Tacoma and Pierce County.
These partnerships are an important part of THA’s housing strategy, helping us maximize public resources, attract outside investment, and create more affordable housing options for low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Does Tacoma Housing Authority rent to commercial tenants?
Yes. The Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) primarily provides affordable housing and rental assistance, but we also own and lease a small number of commercial spaces through third-party property managers as part of certain mixed-use developments–such as Housing Hilltop, Alberta J. Canada, and Aviva Crossing–when it supports neighborhood revitalization, resident services, and the community’s economic development goals. Rental income from commercial tenants helps THA house and serve vulnerable populations throughout Tacoma.
Housing Hilltop includes more than 13,000 square feet of commercial space intended for local businesses. We have contracted with Northwest Investment Partners to identify local businesses to occupy these spaces. Grant funding is available to help new tenants build out these commercial spaces.
If you are interested in renting one of these commercial spaces, please email India Clark at moc.ercpin@aidni.
What’s the difference between Tacoma Housing Authority and Housing Pierce County?
Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and Housing Pierce County (HPC), formerly known as Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA), are separate public housing authorities that serve different geographic areas within Pierce County. While our organizations administer many of the same federal housing programs and share a similar mission of providing affordable housing and rental assistance, we serve different jurisdictions and populations.
THA’s primary service area is the City of Tacoma, where we provide affordable housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, supportive services, and community development programs. Housing Pierce County serves many areas of Pierce County outside Tacoma and administers similar housing assistance programs within its service area.
Because we are separate agencies, we maintain our own housing programs, waitlists, policies, budgets, and governing boards. Residents seeking housing assistance should generally apply through the housing authority that serves the area where they live or wish to live.