Shop Local: Connecting local workforce with local housing
Ensuing those providing vital services and serving local business are securely housed is an essential part of building community. Our Housing Link project is an effort to introduce Workforce Home Seekers with Home Providers in Jefferson County. We also advocate for deprioritizing maximum rental income as the primary objective of a rental unit.
Local wage earners in need of housing are able to post a simple profile of themselves and their needs. Those who have housing to share will be able to review the listings for a potential match, knowing that such a connection will strengthen our community. HSN will make the initial introduction, after which it is up to each party to decide whether to move forward together.
*Housing Solutions Network does not provide any screening of either Home Seekers or Home Provider and we are encouraging sensitive information remain undisclosed until both parties consent to being introduced. Housing Solutions Network cannot be held responsible for the conduct of Home Seekers or Home Providers. This is simply a service to introduce people who may enter into a housing relationship.The Housing Link is completely free.
Home Seekers
This service is intended to help the local workforce of Jefferson County. We ask you only apply if one of the following conditions are true about your household:
- works for an employer located in Jefferson County
- owns a business located in Jefferson County
- is in a line of work that primarily serves Jefferson County.
- If retired, one of the above conditions were true before retiring.
Step One: Fill out the Home Seeker Form
Step Two: Review your profile for accuracy; posts are valid for 60 days.
Step Three: Wait for Housing inquiries. They will be automatically forwarded to the email provided.
Step Four: Provide HSN with feedback on this service so we can continue to improve!
Home Providers
This service is intended to support the local workforce of Jefferson County.To the best of our knowledge, home seekers on Housing Link are either:
- employees of a business located in Jefferson County,
- owners of a business located in Jefferson County, or
- In a line of work that primarily serves Jefferson County.
- Retired, but before retirement would have qualified under one of the conditions above.
Step One: Review the Current Housing Link listings
Step Two: Complete the form at the bottom of the listings page to message a Home Seeker.
Step Three: Provide housing to a community member
Step Four: Provide HSN with feedback on this service so we can continue to improve!
Remember: Do not share sensitive and personal information via email or phone. What is Affordable?
Housing is generally deemed affordable when an individual or family pays no more than 30% of their income on housing costs including all utilities.
Each year the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development publishes fair market rents by bedroom. Refer to the Chart below for the most recent data.
Consider also, the 2023 minimum wage in Washington is $15.74 an hour. A single person working full-time at this wage would be able to afford up to $819 for all their housing costs.
Visit our Affordable Housing 101 page for more information.
The Share our Spaces Resource page is full of great information like How to Be a Good Landlord, our Home Sharing Guide, and the ABC’s and 123’s of ADUs.
It is illegal to discriminate against a tenant (deny housing) on the basis of their:
Race
Color
National Origin
Creed
Sex
Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity
Veteran / Military Status
Disability
Marital Status
Familial Status (families with children under the age of 18, or who are expecting a child)
Fair housing laws in Washington State are governed by the federal Fair Housing Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Federal laws are enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and state laws by the Washington State Human Rights Commission. Read more here.
These free resources are provided as part of our Share Our Spaces campaign
