Interested in Arlington Apartments?
See if you are eligible
We have a cap of 100 applicants, and we will open the application process when we have space to receive more.
All applicants must:
- Be 18 to 24 years old (families with children are welcome)
- Have valid ID (see Required Documents below)
- Currently be facing homelessness or crisis
- Pass a criminal background check
Total income limits apply, but no income is required.
Application Process
Step 1:
Complete the brief eligibility form.
- If you do not meet the primary requirements of Tacoma Housing Authority as shown on the eligibility form, our team will send you alternative housing resources.
- If you do meet all initial requirements, your information will be saved in our “interest list” database and sent to our team.
A link to the form will be provided when applications are open. If you have any questions, email the case management team at:
Step 2:
Speak to a Case Manager to complete your application.
A case manager will reach out to speak with you about your application and clarify next steps. After that, a case manager will contact you every 30 days to see if you’re still interested in a unit.
- We respond to applications in the order they are submitted, so it may take take several days, or weeks, before the first time a case manager contacts you.
- If you don’t respond or can’t be reached within 5 days of the case manager contacting you, your name will be removed from the interest list.
When a new space opens in the waitpool, applicants on the interest list will be contacted in the order their applications were received. You’ll then be asked to complete an in-person assessment and provide all necessary documents.
- You’ll need to provide a legal state ID, proof of Social Security number, and birth certificate, including a copy of all children’s birth certificates if you are applying with minors.
- Without these documents, you will not be able to enter the waitpool, so we recommend you use the time before your assessment to secure them.
If you provide all necessary documents and your assessment is cleared for suitability to rent, you will be added to the waitpool!
Step 3:
Get selected and move in!
Applicants on the waitpool are randomly selected when an appropriate unit for their household size and income becomes available.
- There is no determined wait time for available units, since these are regular apartments that don’t have rental time limits, so we recommend continuing to look for other housing options while in our waitpool.
Once you are selected, a case manager will contact you to set up a financial qualifications appointment with property management. Once approved, you will be given a lease signing and move-in date, as well as meet with a case manager to learn all the ways we can support you!
Required Documents
There are a few documents you should make sure to have before you book your appointment to complete your assessment.
A Washington state identification card (WA ID card) or Washington state driver’s license card (WA DL card), Social Security card (SS card), and birth certificate are all required at the time of assessment.
Only original or certified copies of documents will be accepted. Photocopies can be accepted by THA in some circumstances.
See below for information and links as to where to obtain documents needed and the costs associated.
I. Social Security Card
If you need to replace a lost or stolen SS card, you can fill out an application either online or in-person at your local Social Security office and have a new card mailed to you at no cost.
Your can also submit your most current W-2, or a pay stub that includes your full Social Security number, instead of an SS card.
Please visit this link for a more detailed description of how to replace your SS card:
II. Birth Certificate
If you don’t have or can’t find your original birth certificate, you should be able to get a certified copy. If you are a citizen born in the United States, locate the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born to find their specific process for how to get the document, including instructions and information on any applicable fees.
For a more detailed description of how to obtain your birth certificate, including for U.S. citizens born abroad and children born abroad who were adopted by a U.S. citizen:
III. Washington State ID or Driver’s License Card
You can apply for a Washington state ID or DL card, renew an existing ID, or replace a lost/stolen ID at your local Department of Licensing (DOL) office. A standard WA ID card will cost you $54 for your first ID card or to renew your existing ID, or $20 to replace a lost/stolen ID card. If you’re applying for your first WA ID card, proper identification will be needed when visiting the DOL in person.
Please visit this link for a more detailed description of how to get your WA ID or DL card:
Other Resources
If you need housing assistance before a spot opens up, you can find more options and tools with our partners below.
Beacon Young Adult Shelter
- 415 S 13th St Tacoma
- 253-677-0102
- 7 days a week 8:30pm-7am
CCS Family Day Center
- 5050 South Tacoma WA Tacoma
- 253-471-5340
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-1pm; Wednesday 12pm-4pm
Comprehensive Life Resources
- 1305 Tacoma Ave, Suite 305, Tacoma
- 253-396-5065
- Monday 1pm-3pm, Wednesday 10am-12pm, Friday 12pm-2pm
Family Day Center
- 5050 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA, 98409
- 253-682-3401
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9am-4pm, Wednesday from 12pm-6pm
HYPE Center
- 2342 Tacoma Ave S Tacoma
- 253-677-0102
- Monday-Friday hours 7:30am to 11:30am, closes for lunch, opens again 1pm to 8:30pm • Saturday and Sunday hours 1pm to 8:30pm
Nativity House Shelter
- 702 S 14th St Tacoma
- 253-502-2780
- Monday-Friday, 6:30am-4:45pm
Tacoma Rescue Mission Men’s Shelter
- 425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma
- 253-383-4493
- Monday-Friday 10am to 4pm
Tacoma Salvation Army
- 501 6th Ave Tacoma
- 253-572-8452
- 7 days a week 7pm-8am
Tahoma Indian Center
- 1809 E. 31st St., Tacoma, WA, 98404
- 253-593-2707
- Monday-Friday 8am-4pm