Online Information for Utility Allowances

Maximum rent limits include the cost of utilities paid by the resident. Unless your property pays ALL utilities, you will be required to provide documentation of utility allowance(s) in effect during the reporting period and update WBARS.

Most properties use published public housing authority utility allowances. 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. The Commission recommends that Owners check for updates with the applicable utility allowance provider every 90 days. The WBARS reporting system must also be updated in the buildings area with the new utility allowance numbers, including the effective date and implementation date.

Public Housing Authority Utility Allowances Offered Online

The following housing authorities offer their utility sheets online. If the utility allowance listed is more than a year old, contact the source and ask them if there is a new utility allowance. Please encourage the source to post the latest utility allowance online as soon as possible.

• Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authority | See Resources
• Bremerton Housing Authority | See Section 8 Utility allowances for Kitsap & Mason Counties
• Chelan County & City of Wenatchee Housing Authority | See Utility Allowance for Chelan & Douglas Counties
• Everett Housing Authority | See Landlords, Commonly Requested Forms
• Grant Housing Authority | See Resources, Tenant Resources
• Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washington | Go to Housing Assistance, Helpful Links and Forms, Utility Allowances, then click HUD 52667 link to view the Utility Allowance Form for Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific or Wahkiakum Counties
• Kennewick Housing Authority | KHA Section 8 Utility Allowance Schedules for Benton County under "Learn More About"
• King County Housing Authority | Utility Allowances for KCHA Section 8 (excluding Seattle & Renton)
• Peninsula Housing Authority | See Section 8 Utility Allowance for Clallam and Jefferson Counties
• Renton Housing Authority | See Landlords, Rent & Payments, Utilities
• Seattle Housing Authority | See Utility Allowances Schedules for Seattle
• Spokane Housing Authority | See Do BUSINESS WITH US, Landlord Resource Library
• Pierce County Housing Authority | See Utility Allowance Schedules for Pierce County (excluding Tacoma)
• Housing Authority of Snohomish County | Landlord Center, Landlord Forms, Voucher Holders
• Tacoma Housing Authority | See Landlords, Forms, Payment Standards and Utility Allowances
• Housing Authority of Thurston County | See Current Participants, Other Resources
• Vancouver Housing Authority | See About Policies & Publications, Voucher Program (Section 8) Policy Documents
• Yakima Housing Authority | See "Property Owners" for Yakima and Kittitas Cos. utility allowances

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.

More Information About Utility Allowance Options & Tips

See Chapter 2 of the Tax Credit manual for an explanation of utility allowances. See Appendix O of the Tax Credit Compliance manual for possible options that would require approval before use.  You should also look at the Tax Credit FAQ regularly for more utility allowance tips.