Spokane County Wildfire Housing Assistance Fund

The Spokane County Wildfire Housing Assistance Fund (WHAF) is intended to provide rapid support to households that have been temporarily or permanently displaced from their residence due to the Spokane Complex Fires or other wildfires and need assistance with housing-related expenses. 

Household Eligibility & Priority 

Your household may be eligible to receive assistance if: 

  • You were temporarily or permanently displaced from your residence due to the Spokane Complex fires or other Spokane County wildfires since June 14, 2026 (homeowners, renters, and households living with others are eligible); and 
  • Your household income is at or below 140% of the area median income. 
Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6
Annual Household Income $108,360 $123,760 $139,300 $154,700 $167,160 $153,820
Monthly

Household Income

 $9,030 $10,313 $11,608 $12,892 $13,930 $14,957

SHA will prioritize funding for households that are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. 

Eligible Costs 

Eligible households may receive assistance with costs arising between August 1, 2026 – January 30, 2027.

SHA will complete an individualized needs assessment with each household. Based on the needs identified, SHA may provide: 

  • Rental assistance or temporary housing assistance
  • Other housing-related expenses (e.g., utilities, deposits, fees, insurance). 
  • Flexible financial assistance to enhance housing stability (e.g., transportation passes, veterinary services for pets, car repairs to maintain employment, obtaining identification, work related equipment, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies)
  • Asbestos testing on a resident’s home site when needed to obtain permits for the placement of temporary emergency housing on residential lots 

All payments will be made to a third party on behalf of the household. SHA will not provide debit cash cards, merchant gift cards, cash equivalent cards, or vouchers to the household. 

Ineligible Costs

SHA cannot provide:

  • Capital/construction/rehabilitation of housing or facilities
  • Direct payments to households
  • Duplication of funding from multiple funding sources for the same eligible costs

How to Apply

You may apply for WHAF in one of two ways:

  • Online – if you meet eligibility criteria, begin the process by completing the form at this link. Spokane Housing Authority staff will review the information for initial eligibility and reach out to you for required documents, listed below.
  • In Person – at one of our upcoming community events or at our 25 W. Nora office during walk-in hours Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:30am to 4:00pm. Client Services will assist you in completing the online form.

What Documents Will SHA Request?

Click this link to download a printable version. 

Spokane Housing Authority staff will request: 

  • Proof of Identity: One document that includes your photo and full name, such as: 
    • Driver license or state ID 
    • U.S. or foreign passport or passport card 
    • Military ID 
    • Other U.S. or foreign government-issued photo ID 
  • Proof of Primary Residence: If not verified by proof of identity, one document that includes the address of your primary residence at the time of the disaster and your full name, such as: 
    • Lease agreement or rent receipts 
    • Mortgage statement, deed, or property tax document 
    • Homeowners or renters insurance policy 
    • Utility bill (electric, water, gas, phone, or internet) 
    • Bank or credit card statement 
    • Vehicle registration or voter registration 
    • A completed SHA third-party residency verification form 
  • Proof of Income Eligibility:  
    • If SHA can verify that your household receives assistance from a means-tested federal public assistance program—such as TANF, Medicaid, SNAP, EITC, LIHTC, WIC, or SSI—you will not be required to provide additional income documentation. All adults in your household must either provide a benefit verification letter or sign form DSHS 17-063 to allow SHA to access the DSHS Benefits Verification System (BVS) to independently confirm your benefits. 
    • Otherwise, all adults in your household must provide income verification, such as: 
    • Pay stubs for the most recent two months 
    • Benefit verification letter 
    • Bank statements 
    • 2025 tax return 
  • Proof of Homelessness or Housing Instability: SHA will prioritize funding for households that are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. If you meet this prioritization criteria, please provide: 
    • Homelessness or temporary-housing records (e.g., shelter intake records, hotel/motel receipts, letter from a service provider) or a completed third-party homeless verification form; or 
    • Documentation showing overdue housing-related bills (e.g., rent ledger, landlord communications, mortgage statement, property tax document, utility bill, credit card statement) 
  • Proof of Eligible Costs: Additional documents will depend on your specific situation, but may include items such as: 
    • Current rent ledger, mortgage statement, or repayment agreement 
    • Housing-related bills (e.g., utilities, insurance) 
    • Credit card bill showing eligible costs and related invoices/bills/receipts 


NOTE: If you have difficulty providing any document, please contact SHA to find out what alternatives may be accepted.

#TLDR

  • Financial assistance is available for households temporarily or permanently displaced due to wildfires
  • Priority is given to households experiencing homelessness or housing instability
  • Applicants must provide proof of identity, primary residence, income eligibility, and eligible costs
  • Assistance cannot duplicate expenses already covered by other grants
  • All payments must be made directly to a third party on behalf of the household

Where to apply? Start by filling out the form at this link.