Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept donations of furniture or household goods?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept donations of used furniture or household items. We do not have the infrastructure to facilitate distribution or pickup of items such as these. We recommend folks visit our partners at Eastside Community Aid Thrift Shop or St. Vincent de Paul if they are looking to donate used household items. We also recommend they visit our partners at Eastside Baby Corner if they have used children’s or baby items.

What does “Supportive Services” mean?

Supportive Services encompasses all the extra support we provide to residents who live in our buildings. This includes case management for formerly homeless households, help with basic needs supplies (e.g. hygiene and cleaning supplies), food assistance, community building, and assistance navigating the various resources around the County. Our on-site Resident Support Specialists are available to help residents access legal assistance, food assistance, or employment assistance. Programs are all optional and are individualized to meet the diverse needs of residents. You can learn more on our Supportive Services page.

There is affordable housing on the Eastside!?

There is! There isn’t enough, of course, but we own and manage 15 residential buildings, ranging from 12 units-91 units in size, and providing homes for more than 1,400 people. Other organizations also offer affordable housing on the Eastside, including DASH and King County Housing Authority.

What is a set-aside percentage?

The set-aside percentage is effectively your income level, relative to the King County median income. These levels correspond with tiered rent levels in our apartments. Most buildings have apartments reserved for people in the 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% ranges.

The income listed in the chart is the maximum income you can have for that type of unit. For example: if you are married with 3 children (5-person household), and your total household income is $41,000, you would qualify at the 30% level. The income eligibility is the same across King County, and is based on the King County Area Median Income (AMI) of $108,600. Our residents earn between 0-60% of AMI, and on average pay $629 in monthly rent. See the chart below to see what the different income ranges are—we provide apartments affordable at the 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% levels.

King County Income and Rent Limits

Effective 4/1/2020, Median Income: $113,300

Set-aside Percentage	1-Person	2-Person	3-Person	4-Person	5-Person	6-Person	7-Person	8-Person
30%	25,080	28,680	32,250	35,820	38,700	41,580	44,430	47,310
40%	33,440	38,240	43,000	47,760	51,600	55,440	59,240	63,080
50%	41,800	47,800	53,750	59,700	64,500	69,300	74,050	78,850
60%	50,160	57,360	64,500	71,640	77,400	83,160	88,860	94,620

Do residents pay rent?

Yes, all Imagine Housing residents pay rent. The average rent amount across our whole portfolio is $629 per month. Rent levels are set by state policy, and it helps fund our property operations, management, and maintenance. We also use rental income to pay off debt that we used to build the communities. Rent is set at different levels based on the unit “set-aside,” i.e. income level of its occupants. So looking at the chart above, a 30% AMI unit would have lower rent than a 60% AMI unit.

Where does your funding come from?

Imagine Housing benefits from a number of different funding sources to make our properties and programs possible. Our operations are funded through a combination of property revenues, private and foundation grants, individual and corporate donations, and developer fees. Our buildings are funded through federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit dollars, State, County, and local funds, and traditional bank loans. We also receive operating support from King County to keep the buildings running and provide the supportive services that help residents remain stable. Lastly, our supportive services programs are funded through a combination of City and County human services funds, private and foundation grants, and individual donations.

Can we partner with you?

Yes! We partner with organizations and companies across the Puget Sound region to ensure our residents are stable and have their basic needs met; our buildings are feasible and sustainable; and our staff is prepared with the tools they need to meet our goals. To see a list of our current community partners, visit our Partners page.

If you would like to learn more about partnering with Imagine Housing, contact us:

For general inquiries, contact info@imaginehousing.org

For housing development partnerships, contact Troy A. Drawz at troyd@imaginehousing.org

For Supportive Services partnerships, contact Susan Rogel at susanr@imaginehousing.org

For corporate partnership or sponsorship opportunities, contact Molly Judge at mollyj@imaginehousing.org

How do people get an apartment with Imagine Housing?

When a waitlist at one of our properties is open, people can apply to be added to that waitlist. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates, or follow us on social media. Updates will also be posted to our website. You can also reach out to the property manager for a property you are interested in to learn more. The property managers can also help you with determining your set-aside percentage. Look at Find an Apartment to see if a waitlist is open.

Can the residents have pets?

No, pets are not allowed. We do allow service or emotional support animals that have been individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability.

Do you have assisted living?

No. Our senior communities are available for seniors over the age of 62 who earn 30-60% of area median income, but none of the are assisted living communities.