Rental Housing Program
The Seattle Office of Housing monitors multifamily properties with agreements through the Rental Housing Program. Owners and Property Managers are required to ensure that terms of the Agreements executed with the Office of Housing are compliant, including, but not limited to (refer to each Property’s documents) affordability restrictions, tenant income eligibility, property management and physical conditions of the Property. The information and documents provided on this website are tools to assist in meeting an Owner's obligations to provide affordable housing under this Program.
Office of Housing Asset Managers Assignments by Agency: Assignments List
Sign up for the Portfolio Compliance Corner email for training, rent and income limits, and other updates from the Asset Management Team.
Renters: This page is intended for Owners and Property Management. Renters interested in applying for properties should review materials on the Office of Housing Find Housing page.
Eligibility Certification Forms can be accessed through a secure folder.
Email OFH_Portfolio@seattle.gov to request access.
Owner and Property Management Compliance forms and information can be accessed through a secure folder. Email OFH_Portfolio@seattle.gov to request access.
The following request and submission forms can be accessed directly:
Forms and information specific to properties with HOME Program units. See the Loan Agreement to confirm if the Property has HOME.
Federal HOME Program forms can now be accessed through a secure folder. Email OFH_Portfolio@seattle.gov to request access.
Inspection Standards
In October 2023 the Office of Housing, in line with other public funders, will be ceasing the use of the Uniform Physical Conditions (UPCS) and beginning to use HUD NSPIRE standards. More information will be provided as it comes available. See the HUD NSPIRE website for current information.
Consent to Enter
As recipients of public funding, affordable housing properties are subject to physical inspections and as part of this process your agency will have to ensure that proper notice is given, and consent is obtained prior to an inspection. Upon notification from the Office of Housing that a property will be subject to a physical inspection, it is recommended that property management staff promptly begin the process of delivering notice to residents of the scheduled physical inspection and obtaining consent. Typically, you will receive notification from the Office of Housing of a planned inspection at least four (4) weeks in advance of the actual inspection. At the time of the physical inspection, staff from the Office of Housing will rely on your staff's representation that the tenant household has consented to the inspection and will enter the unit. The Seattle Office of Housing and SDCI have created two resident notifications that comply with the provisions of SMC 22.206.180(F). If you have any questions regarding SMC 22.206.180(F)(1) please contact SDCI Code Compliance Section at (206) 684-5700. If you have any questions regarding the Seattle Office of Housing inspection process, please email the Asset Management team at OFH_Portfolio@seattle.gov.
Annual Reporting consists of two parts, one being reporting via the Web-Based Annual Reporting System (WBARS) and Supplemental Material upload via a forms application.
Web-Based Annual Reporting System (WBARS)
This online system can be accessed at www.wbars.com and is used to submit Table 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Training guides and videos are in the “Help” section. Access is limited to owners and property managers involved in affordable housing, as well as properties and participating funders located in Washington state. If access is needed, please start by contacting the owner or property manager to ensure access is required for the duties being performed or reach out to your Office of Housing Asset Manager.
Forms for Supplemental Materials Submission
The Office of Housing Asset Management team will send links to contacts in WBARS to upload the required supplemental materials on June 1 of each year.