FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Housing Authority of Island County (HAIC) is not a federal agency, but we receive federal funding through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
For now, in 2025:
• There have been no federal budget cuts to the Subsidized Housing (public housing) or Housing Choice Voucher (HCV or Section 8) programs.
• HAIC residents and voucher tenants are not at risk of losing their housing or financial help because of any Executive Order or budget cuts in 2025.
• Self-sufficiency programs like FSS and ROSS have not been cut and are continuing through at least September 2025.
• HAIC has not been directly affected by the President’s Executive Orders or other federal policy changes at this time.
• HUD has been ordered to downsize, but HAIC staff are not HUD employees, so HUD’s reduction in staff does not directly affect HAIC staff.
• Under the current 2025 federal budget, HAIC’s federally funded housing programs will continue through at least September 30, 2025.
Possible changes in 2026:
• The President’s proposed 2026 budget includes significant cuts to HUD and housing programs, including self-sufficiency programs, but that budget is not final.
• Congress will review the President’s proposal and make changes. Congress has previously been supportive of many of the programs that the president wants to cut.
• Congress must agree on a final budget for 2026 by October 2025.
• HAOC will monitor development of the 2026 federal budget and advocate for fully funding HUD and housing programs.
HAIC’s primary goal is to ensure stability for our residents and voucher tenants. We will continue to monitor federal funding and policy, and we will post updates as they develop.
EHV’s were given to people who were experiencing homelessness during the COVID 19 pandemic. EHV’s were paid for by temporary American Rescue Plan funds.
HAIC expects to continue supporting EHV tenants and landlords through 2025 and into part of 2026.
Congress may provide additional funding to extend this program during the budget process for 2026.
HAIC is monitoring the situation, working with federal partners, and will keep you updated.
If HAIC does not receive additional funds for EHVs, we will give landlords and tenants using these vouchers at least 60 days’ notice.
When increasing rent, landlords must give HAIC at least a 60-day written notice and tenants at least 30-day written notice of the intent to increase rent.
To request a rent increase, the landlord will complete HAIC’s Rent Increase Form, attach an advance copy of the 30-Day Notice to the tenant of rent increase, and email it to robert@islandcountyha.org.
All rent increases are effective on the first of the month for which the rent increase has been approved.
Porting begins by contacting your local Housing Authority. You will need to request that they post your voucher. Once the request has been made, they will send your portability packet to us. From there an appointment will be set to conduct an intake interview where you will meet with our HCV Housing Specialist.
For Public Housing and Project Based Vouchers your rent will be 30% of your adjusted gross monthly income. For HCV (Section 8) the initial portion of rent can vary from 0%-40%.
STUDIO – $1,296
1 BEDROOM – $1,449
2 BEDROOM – $1,760
3 BEDROOM – $2,466
4 BEDROOM – $2,877
Washington tenant landlord law requires that the landlord receive a written notice 20 days prior to your moving. HAIC requires the same notice. Moves made in the middle of a lease term must be made with the landlord’s permission. The 20-day notice needs to be turned in even if you are coming to the end of your current lease term and received 20 days prior to the next billing cycle.