Section 8 in Whatcom County, WA
1,957 active Housing Choice Vouchers in Whatcom County, 89% utilized. 2 housing authorities serve this county. Voucher data as of 2026.
Section 8 payment standards in Whatcom 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) | $1,463 | $1,317 to $1,609 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,493 | $1,344 to $1,642 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,794 | $1,615 to $1,973 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,495 | $2,246 to $2,745 |
| 4-bedroom | $3,010 | $2,709 to $3,311 |
Example: at 100% of FMR, a 2-bedroom voucher in Whatcom County covers up to $1,794 in gross rent, before the tenant's utility allowance. Across the full range a PHA may set: $1,615 to $1,973.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Whatcom County?
No. Washington law prohibits landlords from refusing a renter because they pay with a Section 8 voucher. That protection applies in Whatcom 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.
Whatcom County in the Bellingham metro
Whatcom County is one of the counties inside the Bellingham, WA core-based statistical area. The metro-level view aggregates voucher activity across every housing authority in the CBSA.
See Bellingham metro rent limits and PHA breakdown →Housing authorities serving Whatcom 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 Bellingham
Bellingham · PHA code WA025
1,957 Section 8 unitsHa of Whatcom County
Bellingham · PHA code WA041
63 units total
Find Section 8 apartments in Whatcom 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 226,523 · FIPS 53073.