Utility Allowance Information

Maximum rent limits include the cost of utilities paid by the resident. 

Unless your property pays ALL utilities, you will be required to provide the utility allowance(s) in effect during the reporting period.  See Chapter 2 (PDF with bookmarks) for utility allowance information.  You should circle and total the items in the utility allowance(s) that apply to the units in your property.  See example (PDF). If you have questions about how to calculate allowances for your property, consult the source of the utility allowance.  Utility Allowance changes must be implemented within 90 days.  Most properties use published public housing authority utility allowances. A new procedure for owners to calculate utilities based on actual usage is described below.

Public Housing Authority Utility Allowances Offered Online
The following housing authorities offer their current utility sheets online. 

• Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority | See Online Documents and Utility Allowances for all of Whatcom County including Bellingham  NEW

• Bremerton Housing Authority | See Utility Allowance Schedule for Jefferson County, Kitsap County including Bremerton and Mason County

• Everett Housing Authority | See Section 8 Utility Allowances for Everett  NEW

• King County Housing Authority (KCHA)  | See Utility Allowances for KCHA Section 8 Utility Allowance ~ for King County (excluding Seattle and Renton)

• Longview Housing Authority | See See Landlords tab - Utility Rates  Click on county utility allowance type links to view HUD-52667 Utility Allowance Form (PDF's) for Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties

• Renton Housing Authority | See Section 8 Utility Allowance for the City of Renton

• Seattle Housing Authority | See Utility Allowances Schedule Section 8 Utility Allowance for Seattle

• Northeast Washington Housing Solutions | Utility sheets for Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman Counties

• Pierce County Housing Authority | See Utility Allowance Schedules for Pierce County (excluding Tacoma)

• Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) | See Forms Page for Utility Allowances by building type for Snohomish County (excluding Everett)  NEW

• City of Tacoma Housing Development | See Tacoma Utility Allowances for Tacoma (issued by Tacoma Housing Authority)

• Housing Authority of Thurston County |  See Downloads - Rental Assistance - Utility Allowances covering all of Thurston County  NEW

• Vancouver Housing Authority | See Utility Allowances for Property Managers for all of Clark County including Vancouver

Finding your Housing Authority
If your housing authority does not offer their utility allowance sheets online, the following site can help you identify the housing authority near your property and find their phone number:  Association of Washington Housing Authorities.  HUD also has a list of Housing Authorities in Washington:  WA Public Housing Authority Contact Information

Actual Usage Calculation Option

See Appendix O of the Tax Credit manual for the new WSHFC utility allowance procedure option. This option describes how owners may calculate utilities themselves based on actual usage or with the help of a contractor. 

Contractors who have expressed an interest in assisting property owners with this process: 

• Compliance Solutions an Affiliate of Zeffert and Association

This page was last modified 1/18/2008.