News Bulletin
City of Bellingham: Opportunity Council will open up screenings for the new City of Bellingham Rental Assistance program on Friday, December 1st.
This program will provide case management and short-term rental assistance to seniors and families with children who make below 50% area median income, and pay 50% or more of their income for rent in Bellingham.
Households seeking services may complete a screening in one of three ways – online through Opportunity Council’s website, in-person at 1111 Cornwall Ave, or by calling the Homeless Prevention Screening Line at 360-746-3826. Screenings may be submitted from Dec 1, 2023 at 9:00am through Friday, Dec 8, 2023 at 4:00pm. Households whose screenings meet basic criteria will be randomly selected through a lottery system and contacted to be scheduled with an appointment.
Opportunity Council is open for initial screenings for the new City of Bellingham Rental Assistance program December 1, 2023 at 9:00am through Friday, December 8, 2023 at 4:00pm.
This program will provide case management and short-term rental assistance to seniors and families with children who make below 50% area median income, and pay 50% or more of their income for rent in Bellingham.
Households seeking services may complete a screening in one of three ways – online here through Opportunity Council’s website, in-person at 1111 Cornwall Ave, or by calling the Homeless Prevention Screening Line at 360-746-3826.
Screenings may be submitted from Dec 1, 2023 at 9:00am through Friday, Dec 8, 2023 at 4:00pm. Households whose screenings meet basic criteria will be randomly selected through a lottery system and contacted to be scheduled with an appointment.
Please note that households living outside the city of Bellingham limits are not eligible. To check your address, please click here or here (interactive) for a map of the city of Bellingham
As of Monday, October 16th, the Homeless Prevention program is full due to funding limitations. We are temporarily unable to provide screenings for intake appointments. Please check back in December for updates on screening and scheduling.
To speak with a screening specialist, please call 360-746-3826 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
While this program is at capacity, there may be other options available for households that include Veterans, Seniors (age 60 and over), or families with children residing within the city of Bellingham. There may also be limited screenings available for households who are receiving Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) or Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) benefits through DSHS. Households should call 360-746-3826 during business hours for help accessing alternate programs.
In Whatcom County, Opportunity Council offers eligible households housing-focused case management and temporary rent subsidies. Eligibility for the program must be determined by a program screening specialist based on risk factors related to homelessness.
Enrollment in homeless prevention services requires an intake appointment to verify eligibility. Appointment availability is determined by program funding available.
Whatcom County Homeless Prevention FAQ
Those behind on their rent or at risk of becoming homeless in Island County should contact the Island County Housing Resource Center at 360-678-8284 or visit the Island County Housing Support Center.
Please visit the Island County Community Resource Center for more information on Opportunity Council services and programs in Island County.
To find help securing housing and avoiding homelessness in San Juan County, please contact your local Community Resource Center:
- Orcas Island: Orcas Community Resource Center
- San Juan Island: Joyce L. Sobel Community Resource Center
- Lopez Island: Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Legal Help
If you have questions regarding your rights as a tenant or if you have received an eviction notice and have questions, please contact legal aid or go online for information on your options.
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution Centers may offer help to improve communication, increase understanding, negotiating payment or repayment plans, discuss deposits and move out timelines, address lease agreements and other related issues, and empower parties to determine their own solutions. Please click on your county below for the Dispute Resolution Center serving your county.