Section 8 in Cowlitz County, WA
1,912 active Housing Choice Vouchers in Cowlitz County, 86% utilized. 2 housing authorities serve this county. Voucher data as of 2026.
Section 8 payment standards in Cowlitz County (FY2026)
HUD-published metro FMR for FY2026. Payment standards, the amount a PHA actually pays, are set between 90% and 110% of FMR at each PHA's discretion.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Payment standard (90 to 110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency (studio) | $1,000 | $900 to $1,100 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,199 | $1,079 to $1,319 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,451 | $1,306 to $1,596 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,018 | $1,816 to $2,220 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,434 | $2,191 to $2,677 |
Example: at 100% of FMR, a 2-bedroom voucher in Cowlitz County covers up to $1,451 in gross rent, before the tenant's utility allowance. Across the full range a PHA may set: $1,306 to $1,596.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Cowlitz County?
No. Washington law prohibits landlords from refusing a renter because they pay with a Section 8 voucher. That protection applies in Cowlitz County. If you were turned away for having a voucher, that refusal may be illegal.
Washington HB 2578 (2018) bans SOI discrimination. Reasonable "screening" restrictions apply only to your share of rent.
Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.
Cowlitz County in the Longview metro
Cowlitz County is one of the counties inside the Longview, WA core-based statistical area. The metro-level view aggregates voucher activity across every housing authority in the CBSA.
See Longview metro rent limits and PHA breakdown →Housing authorities serving Cowlitz County
Each PHA sets its own payment standard, runs its own waitlist, and does its own inspections. The PHA whose jurisdiction covers a unit's ZIP is the one both tenant and landlord will deal with.
Housing Authority City of Longview
Longview · PHA code WA007
1,600 Section 8 unitsHa City of Kelso
Kelso · PHA code WA020
312 Section 8 units
Find Section 8 apartments in Cowlitz County
VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.
Other Washington counties
Voucher counts aggregated from HUD PHA jurisdiction data. Population 110,621 · FIPS 53015.