Council approves funding to 2026 senior & disabled rental subsidy program

The program provides funding to help extremely low-income seniors and people with disabilities keep their housing affordable

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

 During today’s April 21 Council meeting, the San Juan County Council voted to approve funding for all applicants to the 2026 Senior and Disabled Rental Subsidy Program, made possible via Health & Community Services Affordable Housing Fund.  

“This is such an important program that I’m glad our County continues to champion,” said Council Chair Justin Paulsen. “It’s another example of San Juan County working to serve those in our community who are most at risk.”  

About the Senior & Disabled Rental Subsidy Program

Each year, San Juan County opens applications for twelve months of rental subsidy from qualified, income-verifying housing providers on behalf of their qualified, extremely low-income senior and disabled tenants. These tenants are often on a fixed income, making the high cost of rental housing in the county especially difficult to manage. The program seeks to reduce the tenant’s rent to 30% of their income, which is considered affordable by HUD standards. 

Funded by document recording fees, the subsidy program has been operated by Health & Community Services since 2008. The program has grown since that time, from an annual award of $22,000 to subsidize the rent of 11 tenants, to now over $150,000 to subsidize rents for 27 tenants across the entire County. Since then, the average rent for these tenants has more than doubled while the average income for applicants to our program has only increased 43%.  

Another change since the early days of this program has been the addition of new affordable rental housing funded in part by San Juan County’s Home Fund. 75 percent of eligible tenants in this year’s program live in housing built or acquired with Home Fund dollars.  

“Supporting these tenants via the County’s subsidy program is a priority and the best use of our funds,” said Housing Program Coordinator Ryan Page, who summarized the recommendations of the Housing Advisory Committee. “Housing affordability is a foundation for financial security. It is very difficult to survive on our islands for someone who is extremely low-income, and this program helps play a part in providing some stability to these tenants who are more vulnerable and at-risk of homelessness.” 

A list of other affordable housing supports can be found on the County’s website:  

• San Juan County Home Fund Website
• SJC Affordable Housing
• San Juan County Five Year Homeless Plan 2025-2030

Contact: Ryan Page, Housing Program Coordinator, ryanp@sanjuancoutywa.gov, 360-370-0590 

About San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services  

San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects, and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1777/Health-Community-Services.