Shop Local: Connecting local workforce with local housing
Our Housing Link project is an effort to introduce Local Workforce Home Seekers with Home Providers. It also aims to deprioritize income as the primary basis for selecting a tenant.
Folks in need of housing are able to post a simple description of themselves and what they’re looking for, and those who have housing to share will be able to review the listings to find a potential match for what they have to offer. 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:
- Someone in your household works for an employer located in Jefferson County
- Someone in your household owns a business located in Jefferson County
- Someone in your household is in a line of work that primarily serves Jefferson County.
If none of these conditions are true, your posting will be removed from the listings.
Step One: Fill out the Home Seeker Form
Step Two: Review your profile for accuracy; posts are valid for 60 days.
Step Three: Wait to be contacted by HSN about any inquiries
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.
Step One: Review the Current Housing Link listings
Step Two: Click the Connect button associated with an individual to email HousingSolutions@jcfgives.org about your inquiry
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.
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.
Housing Definitions
Rental: This can be renting a whole house, an apartment, or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
Home-Share: This refers to the renting of bedrooms in a house and sharing amenities.
Temporary Stay: This is a one to three month stay in a traditional rental or home-share.
Land Lease: This is the act of leasing a portion of land for a self-contained RV or tiny house on wheels to park.
Purchase: This is for those looking to support our local economy by selling to an existing community member or someone who will be working in a local job.
These free resources are provided as part of our Share Our Spaces campaign
