Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 110 resources
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Emergency shelter & assistance
Disability Lifeline - HEN: The Facts The Disability Lifeline program as you have known it ends on October 31, 2011. Three separate programs will replace it. This bulletin is about the program called HEN (Housing and Essential Needs). HEN is for people who, as of November 1, get Medical Care Services (MCS) only AND are homeless or at substantial risk of homelessness.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Spanish / Español
Local HEN Administrator Directory A directory of HEN administration locations by county.
By: DSHS
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program
(Separate Website)
If you are in need of help to pay your home energy bill, you may qualify for emergency assistance.
By: LIHEAP Washington State
Public Utilities
General information about your rights when dealing with public utilities.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Filing a Complaint with the Utilities and Transportation Committee
(Separate Website)
If you have a dispute with your utility company, you should first try to resolve it with the company. Many disputes can be resolved by asking for a supervisor. If you are unable to resolve the issue, this web site has an online complaint form if you decide to file a complaint regarding your utility service.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Smart Consumer Guide: Public Utility Service
(Separate Website)
Describes consumer rights relating to telephone, natural gas, electricity and water services.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Citizens Utility Alliance Web Site
(Separate Website)
The Citizens' Utility Alliance mission is to organize educate and advocate for residential natural gas electric water and telecommunications customers.
By: Citizens Utility Alliance of Washington
Energy Assistance - Bill Pay Help
(Separate Website)
If you're facing unmanageable energy bills, here are links to some options that will help keep your service turned on.
By: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Free Mobile Phone: How to Qualify for the Lifeline Program
(Separate Website)
Receive a FREE Virgin Mobile phone and 250 monthly minutes from Assurance Wireless. Assurance Wireless is an eligible telecommunications carrier for the Lifeline phone program that provides free wireless phones and service to income-eligible consumers in certain US states.
By: Assurance Wireless
Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP)
WTAP is a benefit program that provides discounts on telephone fees for eligible households.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Evictions: General Information
(Separate Website)
This guide is intended to give an overview of the eviction process and provide some context for renters as to how evictions can play out in Washington courts.
By: Solid Ground
Eviction and Your Defense
6310EN - Landlords have to follow certain rules when they want a tenant to move out. This packet explains the reasons why landlords can evict tenants and how the eviction process works. It tells you what you should do if your landlord tries to evict you. It will also help you defend yourself in court against an eviction if you cannot get a lawyer to represent you.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
My Landlord Locked Me Out: What Can I Do? Read this publication if you rent an apartment or house and your landlord changed the locks so that you cannot get into your place and you had no plans to move.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
DOCX File
Vacating a Judgment and Staying Enforcement of a Writ of Restitution
If you receive a judgment or a writ of restitution and you believe you had a good reason for not responding to the eviction summons or appearing at the show cause hearing, you may ask the court to vacate (or withdraw) the judgment and stay (or temporarily stop) the eviction.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Federal Law Requires 90 Days Notice Prior to Eviction of any Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property
If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale, federal law requires the new owner to notify you at least 90 days before evicting you. You must still honor the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this time period.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
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Spanish / Español
Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent in Public and Subsidized Housing
This publication briefly describes the steps a tenant should take to avoid an eviction for nonpayment of rent when living in public or subsidized housing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
HUD Housing Evictions
As a tenant living in an apartment complex where the landlord has a contract with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants. This publication briefly describes your rights and the steps you can take to avoid an eviction. This information is important because if you are evicted, you will lose your federal housing assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Public Housing Evictions
As a public housing tenant, you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants do. You have these protections because if you are evicted from public housing, you will lose your federal housing subsidy, often worth hundreds of dollars per month. This publication briefly explains what you should do when the Housing Authority tries to evict you from public housing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Public Housing Grievance Procedure
As a public housing tenant, you have the right to appeal many decisions or actions taken by the Housing Authority through its administrative Public Housing Grievance Procedure. Every Housing Authority is required by federal law to adopt a written public housing grievance procedure. A copy of the agency's grievance procedure should be posted in their office and available upon request.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Section 515: Rural Rental Housing Evictions
As a tenant living in an apartment complex financed by the Rural Housing Service (formerly the Farmers Home Administration), you have greater protection against evictions than most other tenants. You may also be paying less than market rent for your apartment. It is important to understand that tenants who are evicted from such housing may lose their federal housing assistance. Because of this, you should do whatever you can to avoid an eviction. This publication briefly describes the steps a tenant can take to avoid an eviction.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Tenant Grievance and Appeals Procedure
As a tenant living in an apartment complex financed by the Rural Housing Service (formerly the Farmers Home Administration), you have the right to appeal many decisions you disagree with that are made by your landlord through the agency's tenant grievance and appeals procedure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Video - Foreclosure Mediation in Washington State
Basic Introduction to Washington's New Mediation Process for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Current as of December 2011.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
Separate Website
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Washington Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide
(Separate Website)
The Washington Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide is designed to provide practical tools, information and resources to help homeowners dealing with foreclosure issues.
By: Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaberative
Foreclosure / Forfeiture 6210EN - If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you've invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure When You Have a Deed of Trust 6211EN - If your house is in foreclosure, your best chance to keep your home is to act quickly and with the help of a housing counselor or an attorney. Both a housing counselor and an attorney can help you evaluate options that may be available to help save your home from foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Spanish / Español
A Homeowner's Guide to Foreclosure Mediation 6212EN - A new Washington law gives homeowners in foreclosure the right to request mediation.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Spanish / Español
A Homeowner's Guide to Short Sales Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth may consider a short sale as a means to sell their home and/or avoid foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Spanish / Español
Mortgage payments, foreclosure rescue scams, reverse mortgages, mortgage servicing
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
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Spanish / Español
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried
about it in the future, this information can help.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Facing Foreclosure? A note to homeowners
(Separate Website)
Facing foreclosure? Scammers are targeting people having trouble paying their mortgages. Some claim to be able to "rescue" homeowners from foreclosures, while others promise loan modifications - for a fee. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to know how to avoid scams that could make your housing situation go from bad to worse.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure
(Separate Website)
If you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments or you have received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them, here are some tips to help get you back on track.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
(Separate Website)
Description of Chapter 13 bankruptcy advantages, eligibility and how it works.
By: U.S. Courts - Federal Judiciary
Explore Loan Workout Solutions with Your Lender
(Separate Website)
First and foremost, if you can keep your mortgage current, do so. But if you find you are unable to make your mortgage payments, you might qualify for a loan workout option. Check with your lender to see which option may be available. Some options may not apply to your loan if it is not insured by FHA.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Federal Law Requires 90 Days Notice Prior to Eviction of any Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property
If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale, federal law requires the new owner to notify you at least 90 days before evicting you. You must still honor the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this time period.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
(Separate Website)
Listing of HUD approved counseling agencies for Washington State. These agencies can provide counseling on foreclosures and other housing issues.
By: U.S. Department of Housing
Information for Military Personnel Regarding Mortgage Relief and Foreclosure Protection
(Separate Website)
Information about payment relief and protection from foreclosure provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly known as The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940)
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Foreclosure Fairness Act: A New Tool to Assist Distressed Homeowners Article regarding the Act outlining key provisions.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Video - Foreclosure Mediation in Washington State
Basic Introduction to Washington's New Mediation Process for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Current as of December 2011.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
Separate Website
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
A Homeowner's Guide to Short Sales Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth may consider a short sale as a means to sell their home and/or avoid foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawn Brokers and Rent-to-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
Sometimes you may need to borrow a few hundred dollars because of an unexpected medical bill, broken appliance, or to buy a used car to obtain keep ajob. While the amount of cash you may need is small, the amount of interest you will repay may be large.
By: National Consumer Law Center
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Spanish / Español
Contractor Information
(Separate Website)
Information about hiring a contractor, reporting unregistered contractors and contractor forms.
By: Department L & I
Don't Be a Victim of Loan Fraud - Protect Yourself From Predatory Lendors
(Separate Website)
Information you should know before you purchase or refinance a home loan. Link to PDF file.
By: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Don't Borrow Trouble: Helping People to Avoid Predatory Lending Practices
(Separate Website)
We’ve all seen the aggressive marketing campaigns for refinance and home equity loans. They may seem tempting but they may not be the best financing alternative – they could even risk a family’s financial health, a home’s equity and the stability of a neighborhood. Knowledge is protection – learning about refinancing and the mortgage process puts the power to protect both home and family in the homeowner's hands.
By: Freddie Mac's Web Site
Foreclosure / Forfeiture 6210EN - If you fall behind in your monthly house payments, the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed, you may lose not only your house, but also all the money you've invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Foreclosure When You Have a Deed of Trust 6211EN - If your house is in foreclosure, your best chance to keep your home is to act quickly and with the help of a housing counselor or an attorney. Both a housing counselor and an attorney can help you evaluate options that may be available to help save your home from foreclosure.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
High-Cost Home Loans: Don't Be a Target
(Separate Website)
You may be a target for abusive lenders trying to sell you a loan you can't afford. This brochure has helpful information on how to avoid high cost loans.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Home Equity Loans: Borrower Beware!
(Separate Website)
Do you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk.
Know Your Rights Before Purchasing a Manufactured Home
Many times the buyers do not understand all of the terms, often relying on verbal statements that are not in writing. Inform yourself well before buying!
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Mortgage payments, foreclosure rescue scams, reverse mortgages, mortgage servicing
(Separate Website)
If you're having trouble making your payments, this article talks about what you should and things to avoid.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Predatory loans harm borrowers by making it difficult or impossible for them to keep up with payments. Borrowers may pay unnecessary fees and excessive interest charges. If they miss their payments, they risk losing their home. Borrowers who do not meet minimum credit standards usually do pay higher interest rates, but no one should be a victim of price gouging and outrageous fees.
By: Seattle / King County Coalition for Responsible Lending
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