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Getting Low-Income Housing in Yakima, Washington: A Practical Guide

Finding low-income housing in Yakima usually means working with the Yakima Housing Authority, the City of Yakima / Yakima County housing programs, and a few local nonprofits that manage affordable units or provide rental help.

This guide walks through how people in Yakima typically get on waiting lists, apply for subsidized units, and look for short-term help while they wait, plus what to expect after each step.

Quick summary: Where to start in Yakima

  • Main official system: Yakima Housing Authority (local public housing authority)
  • Key programs in Yakima: Public housing units, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), USDA rural housing, and tax-credit affordable complexes
  • First concrete step today:Call or visit the Yakima Housing Authority to ask which waiting lists are open and how to apply
  • Typical backup options: City/County rental assistance, local nonprofits, faith-based shelters, and legal aid
  • Common snag: Long waiting lists or closed applications; you may need to apply to multiple programs at once and update contact info regularly

1. How low-income housing actually works in Yakima

In Yakima, most long-term low-income housing is handled through the local housing authority and subsidized apartment complexes that set rent based on income or on below-market fixed rates.

You usually do not get an immediate apartment; instead, you apply, get put on a waiting list if you qualify, and then receive a call or letter later when a unit or voucher becomes available, so it’s common for people to be on more than one list at the same time.

Key terms to know:

  • Public Housing — Apartments owned/managed by the housing authority with rent based on your income.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy that helps pay rent in private apartments; you find the unit, and the program pays part of your rent directly to the landlord.
  • Income-Limited / Tax-Credit Housing — Privately managed affordable buildings where rent is lower than market but not always based directly on your current income.
  • Emergency/Transitional Housing — Short-term or temporary housing run by nonprofits or shelters while you work toward longer-term housing.

Rules and eligibility can vary by program and by your situation, so two families in Yakima may get different options and timelines even with similar income.

2. Where to go officially in Yakima for low-income housing

The main official touchpoints for low-income housing in Yakima are:

  • Yakima Housing Authority (YHA) – This is the local housing authority that typically manages:

    • Public housing units in and around Yakima
    • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting lists, when open
    • Some project-based subsidized units where the subsidy is attached to the building

  • City of Yakima / Yakima County housing and human services offices – These offices commonly:

    • Administer short-term rental assistance or eviction prevention using state or federal funds
    • Coordinate with local nonprofits providing rapid rehousing or homelessness prevention
    • Maintain lists of local affordable complexes and emergency housing providers

A realistic first action today is to call the Yakima Housing Authority’s main office and ask:

If you prefer online, search for “Yakima Housing Authority official site” and use only results that clearly show a .gov or the official housing authority name; avoid any site that charges a fee just to apply or join a “wait list.”

If you already have an eviction notice or are doubled up with family and at risk of losing that housing, also contact the City of Yakima or Yakima County human services office and ask if there is rental assistance, homeless prevention, or rapid rehousing currently accepting applications.

3. What to prepare before you apply in Yakima

Most Yakima housing programs ask for very similar information about your household size, income, and current housing situation.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Photo ID for adults in the household (for example, Washington driver license or state ID).
  • Proof of income such as recent pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment benefit statements, or other benefit letters.
  • Proof of current housing situation, such as a lease, rental agreement, eviction notice, shelter letter, or a written statement from the person you’re staying with.

You may also be asked for:

  • Social Security numbers or cards for everyone in the household, if available
  • Birth certificates for children
  • Recent bank statements or benefits card statements
  • If you are already in court for an eviction, copies of court papers or notices

If you don’t have certain documents, tell the housing worker that during intake; they often have specific ways to verify identity or income when documents are missing, but this can delay your application if you wait to mention it.

Before visiting or applying, put all documents you have into a single folder or envelope so you can quickly provide copies if asked.

4. Step-by-step: Applying for low-income housing in Yakima

1. Contact the Yakima Housing Authority

Next action:Call or visit the Yakima Housing Authority office and say you want to apply for any available low-income housing programs.
Ask specifically whether applications are open for public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and any project-based or senior/disabled housing they manage.

What to expect next: Staff will usually explain which lists are open, give you an application form (in person or by mail/online), and may tell you about documents to bring or upload.

2. Fill out applications for every open list you qualify for

Next action: Complete the housing authority application fully and honestly, listing all household members, income sources, and current housing situation, and then submit it through the method they instruct (in person, by mail, drop box, or online).

What to expect next: You typically receive a confirmation letter or notice that you are either:

  • Placed on a waiting list (sometimes with a confirmation number or approximate position), or
  • Found ineligible for certain programs (with a reason and, in many cases, information on how to appeal or correct information)

You may not get an immediate call; sometimes the only early proof is your confirmation notice, so keep that paper or write down your confirmation number.

3. Apply to other affordable and income-limited complexes in Yakima

Next action: Ask the housing authority, City/County offices, or 2–3 local nonprofits for a list of low-income or tax-credit apartment complexes in Yakima and nearby areas, then call each property to ask if they are taking applications or maintaining a waiting list.

In Yakima, many affordable complexes are not run by the housing authority but still offer lower rents or income-based units, especially senior or disability-focused properties.

What to expect next: Each complex will have its own application, screening, and waiting list; some may check credit, rental history, or criminal background, and may charge a screening fee, while others do not for low-income units, so ask about fee amounts before applying.

4. If you’re in immediate crisis, connect with emergency or short-term help

Next action: If you are already homeless or have an eviction date, contact:

  • The City of Yakima / Yakima County human services office for rental assistance or rapid rehousing programs, and
  • Local shelters or faith-based organizations for emergency shelter beds or motel vouchers when available.

You can also call Washington’s general 211 helpline and say, “I’m in Yakima and need emergency housing or rental assistance; can you tell me which agencies are taking applications?”

What to expect next: You may have to complete a short intake, answer questions about income, dependents, and housing history, and provide documents; if approved, some programs pay landlords directly for partial rent, move-in costs, or deposit assistance, usually for a limited number of months.

5. Keep your contact information updated

Next action: Once you’re on any waiting list in Yakima, update your phone number, email, and mailing address with every program each time something changes, including if you start using a friend’s mailing address.

A simple phone script:

What to expect next: Many housing authorities and complexes will remove you from the list if mail is returned, calls don’t go through, or required update forms aren’t returned by the deadline; updating your info reduces the chance you miss your placement offer.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common issue in Yakima is that waiting lists are closed or extremely long, especially for vouchers and popular public housing properties, so you may wait months or longer before hearing anything. To reduce the impact, apply to every open program and affordable complex you qualify for, check in with the housing authority about once every few months to confirm your status, and keep searching for short-term options like room rentals, shared housing, and nonprofit programs while you wait.

6. Legitimate help and how to avoid scams in Yakima

In addition to the housing authority and City/County offices, there are several legitimate help options in Yakima that can guide you through the process or help with related issues.

Common sources of legitimate help include:

  • Local legal aid office – Helps with eviction notices, unsafe housing, and disputes with landlords; they can sometimes write letters or represent you in court.
  • Nonprofit housing or homeless service agencies – Provide case managers who can help fill out housing applications, gather documents, and connect you with rental assistance.
  • Faith-based organizations and community centers – Some offer short-term motel vouchers, food, clothing, or referrals to housing programs in Yakima.
  • Washington 211 – Can connect you to Yakima-area housing resources, rental assistance programs, and shelters by phone.

When searching online:

  • Look for sites ending in .gov for government agencies, or clearly established nonprofits with local addresses and phone numbers.
  • Be cautious of any website or person that asks for money just to put you on a waiting list or “guarantees” faster approval; Yakima Housing Authority and City/County programs do not charge application fees just to be on their waiting lists (though private complexes might charge standard screening fees).
  • Never share full Social Security numbers, bank information, or ID photos through unofficial social media pages or messaging apps.

Because housing benefits involve your identity and potential rental payments, protect your documents and only provide them directly to verified offices or workers connected to the Yakima Housing Authority, City/County government, or recognized nonprofits.

Once you’ve completed the first calls and submitted at least one application, your clearest next official step is to track your confirmation, keep your documents ready, and regularly check in with the Yakima Housing Authority and other programs so you don’t miss any opening that comes up.