The Housing Authority of Island County will open its Section 8 waiting list for the first time in over six years next month.

Beginning April 1, the public can apply to get on the list at a variety of locations throughout Island County. The application window lasts 60 days, closing May 31. Applications will be available at the following places once the period opens:

Good Cheer and Helping Hands in Langley; the Island County Veterans Resource Center in Freeland; Island County Human Services, Senior Services of Island County, Compass Health Whidbey, Sunrise Services and the Housing Authority of Island County Office in Coupeville; and the Opportunity Council, CADA and the Senior Information and Assistance Center in Oak Harbor. Additional locations include Habitat for Humanity in Freeland and Oak Harbor; North Whidbey, South Whidbey and Camano Community Clinics; and the Stanwood/Camano Senior Center.

According to the Housing Authority’s website, the organization owns and manages 110 public housing units for senior citizens or persons with disabilities or handicapping conditions, which are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HUD Section 8 Program, the Housing Authority administers 274 vouchers. These vouchers are used to subsidize program participants’ lease payments for privately owned apartments and houses located within the Housing Authority’s service area.

Applications received before April 1 or after the May 31 deadline will not be accepted. This is not an indicator that families will receive assistance in the near future; we are currently serving families that have been on our list for over six years. This provides an opportunity for families to get on the waiting list that has not been available since March 2009.

Applicants are encouraged to read the cover letter thoroughly as incomplete applications will be returned, which can delay the process. Each week after the mail is received on Thursday, a lottery will be conducted to place those families that applied during that week on the waiting list.

Applications should be advised, the Housing Authority Office is closed on Fridays. Faxed applications will not be accepted. Applications may be mailed to the Housing Authority Office, 7 NW Sixth Street, Coupeville 98239, or dropped off in person.