Resources Overview

Below is a list of resources ARCH staff has compiled to help East King County residents in this time of need. ARCH staff recommends checking King County and city websites regularly to get updated information.

Check out this interactive Community Resources Map created by the city of Bellevue.

For a list of resources in King County please visit their website at https://kingcounty.gov/council/gethelp.aspx

 

Rent Assistance

***NEW: The City of Kirkland is offering Residential Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Relief Program!  Check out details here!

If you're a King County resident who has been impacted financially by COVID-19 and are behind on your rent, you may qualify for the United Way rental assistance program.  Click here for more information.

On June 29, 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a housing stability 'bridge' emergency order, Proclamation 21-09, intended to bridge the operational gap between the eviction moratorium (which expire on June 30) enacted by prior proclamations and the protections and programs subsequently enacted by the Legislature.  Learn more about the 'bridge' proclamation here.  If you would like a copy of the 'bridge' proclamation in other languages, please contact us at info@archhousing.org

Understanding what's allowed and what's not allowed under Gov. Inslee's Bridge Proclaimation

Below is a list of resources to keep you housed in East King County, for additional resources please call the King County 2-1-1 line to be assessed for eligibility for housing stability funds.

Resources for Homeowners

On March 19, the federal government directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  In February 2021, VA, HUD, USDA and FHFA all extended the timelines for forbearances and moratoriums to June 30, 2021.  

If you are having trouble or may soon have trouble making your mortgage payment, please call your loan servicer immediately (the organization to which you make your mortgage payment). Depending on the type of loan you have they either have to (mandated by the federal government) or are strongly encouraged by regulatory agencies to provide you with options for relief. 

In addition, ARCH highly recommends contacting a housing counseling agency.  The Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC) provides free access to certified housing counselors, and may be reached at their Resource Hotline: 1-877-894-4663 or by email at info@homeownership-wa.org.  If you have trouble getting resolution from your loan servicer, or are having trouble making other housing related payments, like homeowner's association, condo association, or property tax payments, WHRC can help you understand your rights and options.

If you're not sure what type of loan you have, contact your loan servicer or try the Fannie Mae and Freddi Mac online lookup tools.  A housing counselor will also be able to help you understand your mortgage and what that means for your rights and options.

 Additional information if you have an FHA loan

In addition to the foreclosure moratorium, the CARES Act established a number of protections for federally backed loans, which account for about 70% of homeowner mortgages.  If you have a federally backed loan and you have suffered a loss of income, you can qualify for forbearance (either a reduction or suspension of payments) for 180 days, with the option to request an extension for another 180 days. 

You should not be charged additional fees for late payments, and your lender should not report missed payments to the credit bureaus.  You should also have several different options for repayment and should not be required to repay all missed payments at the end of the forbearance period.  However, you must contact your loan servicer to be approved for these options, and there may be limits on your refinancing options if you enter into a forbearance program.

Loans Not Backed by the Federal Government

Many other banks are following suit with willingness to suspend payments, make loan modifications and provide other concessions for borrowers who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.  ARCH strongly suggests calling the WHFC hotline to connect with a counselor that will help you understand how to advocate for options that work for you. 

 

Additional Homeowner Resources:

·       Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) has compiled a detailed guide to mortgage assistance. Visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/ and 

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide-coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/

 

·       Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is working with financial institutions to develop reasonable and prudent steps to assist customers in communities affected by COVID-19. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by COVID-19. Visit https://www.fdic.gov/coronavirus/index.html

 

·       Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by COVID-19. Find information related to unemployment, trouble paying rent, credit cards and mortgages, student loan deferment, short term emergency loans, Insurance Issues, and avoiding scams. Visit https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources

 

·       Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center (BCRC) provides foreclosure mediation for homeowners who are in arrears on their mortgages and want to negotiate a modification or other solution.  Call (425) 452-4091, or email bcrc@bellevuewa.gov. BCRC also works with direct referrals from the Washington Department of Commerce Foreclosure Fairness Program:  https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/housing/foreclosure-fairness

Utilities Assistance

·       Bellevue Utilities - The Utilities Department is suspending water shut-offs for non-payment during the crisis and will work with customers to set up payment plans or provide access to financial help under their Emergency Assistance Program. Contact Utilities (425-452-6973 or utilities@bellevuewa.gov) to set up deferred payment plans. Information about the Emergency Assistance Program is available at Utility Rate and Tax Relief.

·       Issaquah Utilities - The Utilities Department is suspending water shut-offs for non-payment for any customer during the COVID-19 emergency. Customers may apply for a flexible payment plan by contacting utilities (UB@issaquahwa.gov or 425-837-3070)

·       Kirkland Utilities - The City of Kirkland offers reduced water, sewer and garbage rates for qualifying low income, single family residential customers who are 62 years or older, blind, disabled, or home kidney dialysis customers.

·       Puget Sound Energy - PSE is taking steps to ensure continued service to customers, with links to bill payment assistance and other tools on its page. PSE will not disconnect customers during this time. PSE received permission from the state Utilities and Transportation Commission to waive late fees. PSE will work with customers on options such as payment plans and choosing a new bill due date. PSE launched a new energy assistance portal to improve access to funds available to low-income customers.

·       Comcast - Comcast's response to COVID-19.  Comcast is also offering Internet Essential program. The school district will work to get free hotspots to families that need them. Please visit your school districts homepage for more information.

·       T-Mobile – T-Mobile is providing unlimited data to its current customers, as well as additional mobile hotspots data.

·       Washington State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/low-income-home-energy-assistance/

 

Income Assistance

Additional unemployment protections are available during COVID-19 pandemic thanks to emergency rules that relieve the burden of job loss, temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers.

·       The United Way has a great resources page on how to get assistance seeking unemployment. Please visit their page for more information at https://www.uwkc.org/news/unemployed-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-heres-where-to-get-help/?fbclid=IwAR16aZUzuEpl-FGXh4Xdj5krFOFeb4vbt4R7Y8E9s-SLrsNtUPlLvzys0Dk

·       The Washington State Employment Security Department is also a great resource for unemployment https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19

 

Food Assistance                                                 

Eastside Legal Assistance

  • Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP): (425)747-7274 - ELAP provides high-quality, no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of East King County, Washington. We also provide legal aid to survivors of domestic violence throughout all of King County.
  • Northwest Justice Project (NWJP): NJP provides legal assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals needing help with civil (non-criminal) legal problems in Washington state.

 

Healthcare and Health Insurance

 

If you have questions on what your city is currently doing in regard to the need created by COVID-19, please visit their websites for additional information.