Help is Available

The City continues to connect residents who have experienced hardships during the pandemic to resources.

Rent Assistance

UPDATE 2/22/2023: The emergency rent assistance application portal through FORWARD (formerly LiveStories) stopped accepting applications on Wednesday, Feb. 22, due to funds being exhausted.

Please note: applicants with an active or pending application should contact FORWARD directly with any questions: FORWARD-support@forwardplatform.com or 1-855-582-3973.

Due to funding for these temporary, COVID-related assistance programs no longer being distributed by the federal and/or state government, it is not expected that the portal will re-open again to landlords/tenants residing within city limits. County residents outside of city limits can contact SNAP to determine what, if any, housing or utility assistance may be available at this time.

If you are in need of assistance, please research all available options for Spokane city and county residents. The following resources are some good places to start, depending on your specific circumstances and needs:

If you have questions about the City’s temporary rent and utility assistance programs, reach out to the city’s COVID Program Specialist, Laura O’Brien, at lobrien@spokancity.org.

Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA 1/ERA 2) Program Update As of August 26, 2022
Emergency Rental Assistance (Treasury): ERA 1 ERA 2
Amount paid out: Direct Assistance (Rent & Utilities) $6,355,564 $4,509,960
Number of Households who received assistance: 1051 1013
Average number of months assistance provided: 7.0 7.0
Dept. of Commerce/Treasury Rental Assistance (T-RAP 1.0, T-RAP 2.0) Program Update As of August 26, 2022
TRAP 1 & TRAP 2 (Commerce) T-RAP 1.0 T-RAP 2.0
Amount paid out: Direct Assistance (Rent & Utilities) $7,993,134 $8,463,435
Number of Households who received assistance: 1248 1503
Average number of months assistance provided: 7.5 7.0

Utility Assistance

The City has resumed late fees and water shut offs for non-payment of City utility bills. Residential customers can seek financial help by qualifying for one or more of the following programs, by calling SNAP at 456-SNAP.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) (water & sewer charges only)
Residents who are in need of financial assistance for paying City utilities can contact SNAP by calling 456-SNAP. Assistance can be applied to balances up to $2,500 and applications are subject to review for basic program requirements.

Low Income Household Utility Bill Assistance (water, sewer & refuse charges only)
Residents who are in need of financial assistance for paying City utilities and may qualify as a low income household, can contact SNAP by calling 456-SNAP. Assistance can be applied to past-due charges up to $3,000, and applications are subject to review for basic program requirements.

U-Help Assistance (water, sewer & refuse charges)
The City of Spokane's U-Help program provides low-income households with one-time emergency financial assistance to help pay for their City utility bills. Applications are subject to review for basic program requirements and benefit amount is a one-time limit of $143 per year.

Interest Free Repayment Plans
Utility Billing can also provide repayment arrangements for our customers who apply and qualify. Repayment plans are subject to late fees until paid in full. Please contact 3-1-1 or 509.755.CITY (2489) for more information.

Below is a list of additional resources:

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.

CARES Act Funding Information

The City of Spokane received $9.9 million from the state of Washington to fund necessary responses to the impacts of COVID-19. City Council asked citizens in a community survey to weigh in on their priorities. You can review how the community has been supported through these emergency response efforts by visiting the CARES Act Funding page.