Top 15 Nonprofits in Seattle Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
Puget Sound rents keep climbing, and a long, wet winter can push heating and electric bills higher than many budgets can handle. If you're behind on rent, holding an eviction notice, or stretching groceries thin, you're not alone, and there's real help across the region.
This guide covers the whole metro: King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, from Seattle and the Eastside to Everett and Tacoma. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, energy bills, food, and free eviction legal aid.
Many programs serve specific cities, and energy and rent funds open and close by season. Call early, ask what's open right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills ready. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Seattle
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based groups like Associated Ministries and Volunteers of America. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and energy help, not just food, and spread picks across the metro's three counties. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Hopelink
Rent, eviction prevention, and energy help for North and East King County.
Primary assistance: Rent and move-in help, eviction prevention, energy assistance, food
Best for: Low-income households in North and East King County hit by a job loss, medical bill, or other shock
How to get help: 425.869.6000; energy appointments (425) 658-2592; financial assistance
Energy help ranges from $200 to $1,250 per household. The scheduler for the 2026–2027 season opens November 2, 2026.
Trust signals: Serving North and East King County since 1971.
2. Multi-Service Center
One-time rent and utility help for South King County.
Primary assistance: One-time rent assistance, utility and energy help, food bank, employment help
Best for: Residents of Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and SeaTac
How to get help: Federal Way (253) 838-6810; Kent (253) 854-4406; get help
MSC helps eligible households with electricity, propane, gas, wood, or oil bills. It also processes Lakehaven water and sewer assistance online.
Trust signals: Part of Washington's Community Action network; runs The Market at Redondo Heights food bank.
3. Byrd Barr Place
Energy assistance and a food market for Seattle residents.
Primary assistance: LIHEAP, PSE HELP, and state energy assistance; furnace repair; food bank
Best for: Seattle residents struggling with heating or cooling bills
How to get help: 206-812-4940 or energyassistance@byrdbarr.place; energy assistance
LIHEAP applications run until funding is gone each program year. The Market food bank offers grocery staples and other basics.
Trust signals: Publishes program details and application windows online.
4. Solid Ground
Tenant counseling and housing help in Seattle.
Primary assistance: Tenant counseling, limited financial support, rapid rehousing, food access
Best for: Seattle and King County renters with lease, repair, or eviction questions
How to get help: Tenant Services message line 206.694.6767; main 206.694.6700; tenant services
Tenant counselors explain landlord-tenant law and your options. Solid Ground also uses case management and limited financial support to keep people housed.
Trust signals: Runs Sand Point Housing, which has helped several thousand people since 1999.
5. Wellspring Family Services
Housing help for King County families in crisis.
Primary assistance: Homelessness prevention, housing search, emergency shelter referrals
Best for: King County families at risk of losing housing or already homeless
How to get help: (206) 826-3050 or info@wellspringfs.org; housing services
Most families come by referral from schools, agencies, or faith groups. If you're homeless now, call 211 first.
Trust signals: Helping families in crisis since 1892; posts audited financials and 990s.
6. King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project
Free eviction defense for King County renters.
Primary assistance: Eviction legal help, attorney consultations, hearing help, landlord negotiations
Best for: King County tenants with a filed eviction case
How to get help: Walk-in clinics at the King County Courthouse (Room W314, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–noon) and the Kent Regional Justice Center (Room 1281, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–noon); get help
Bring your lease, rent receipts, and all landlord papers. Interpreters are available, and you can request a remote intake.
Trust signals: Funded by King County, the City of Seattle, and United Way of King County.
7. Northwest Justice Project
Free statewide legal aid, including an eviction help line.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense referrals, housing, benefits, and debt legal help
Best for: Low-income tenants anywhere in Washington
How to get help: Eviction help 1-855-657-8387; outside King County, CLEAR 1-888-201-1014, weekdays 9:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.; get legal help
King County residents with non-eviction legal problems should call 211 for a referral. Seniors 60+ can call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111.
Trust signals: Offers interpreters and an online application.
8. Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers
Eviction defense and prevention for Pierce County.
Primary assistance: Appointed counsel at eviction hearings, help with notices, deposits, and repairs
Best for: Low-income tenants in Pierce County, plus King County tenant clinics
How to get help: Online intake form; Housing Justice Project
If you have a show cause hearing in Pierce County, attend in person or by Zoom so an attorney can represent you.
Trust signals: A 501(c)(3) with a staff of more than 60.
9. Associated Ministries
Housing access and homeless services for Pierce County.
Primary assistance: Coordinated entry, rapid rehousing, landlord liaison, tax help
Best for: Pierce County households experiencing homelessness
How to get help: Call 1-253-426-1513, 24/7; Landlord Liaison 253-426-1516; coordinated entry
You can also request a callback online, and a housing specialist will call within two business days.
Trust signals: A Pierce County coordinated entry provider for households experiencing homelessness.
10. Volunteers of America Western Washington
Homelessness prevention and food banks in Snohomish County.
Primary assistance: Coordinated entry for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, food banks
Best for: Snohomish County residents at risk of homelessness or needing food
How to get help: 1-800-223-8145, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Everett food bank (425) 312-3630; housing and shelter
The Everett food bank at 1230 Broadway is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. No appointment is needed.
Trust signals: Serving Western Washington since 1898; publishes an annual report.
11. Snohomish County Legal Services
Free eviction clinics and civil legal aid in Snohomish County.
Primary assistance: Housing Justice Project eviction clinics, family law, bankruptcy, and wills for seniors
Best for: Low-income Snohomish County residents, regardless of documentation status
How to get help: 425.258.9283 or information@snocolegal.org; snocolegal.org
Walk-up eviction clinics run weekday mornings, 9–11 a.m. Free interpreters are available.
Trust signals: Serving Snohomish County since 1983; an independent nonprofit since 1985.
12. Housing Hope
Shelter and affordable housing for Snohomish County families.
Primary assistance: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, affordable rentals, family support
Best for: Low-income and homeless families in Snohomish County and Camano Island
How to get help: 5830 Evergreen Way, Everett; housing and services
Family support staff help with budgeting, employment, and goal-setting through weekly meetings.
Trust signals: Keeping hope alive since 1987; posts its financials.
13. Emergency Food Network
Pierce County's food bank for 75+ pantries and meal sites.
Primary assistance: Food supply for local pantries and hot meal sites
Best for: Anyone in Pierce County who needs groceries or a meal
How to get help: (253) 584-1040; efoodnet.org
Use EFN's site or call 211 to find the nearest pantry or meal program.
Trust signals: The sole nonprofit food distributor for Pierce County's emergency food system.
14. Food Lifeline
A hunger-relief network serving all of Western Washington.
Primary assistance: Food for partner food banks, meal programs, and shelters
Best for: Anyone in Western Washington who needs groceries
How to get help: Find food
Use the online locator to find a nearby food bank or meal program.
Trust signals: Distributed over 75 million pounds of food to more than 2 million neighbors.
15. Northwest Harvest
Statewide food help through local partners.
Primary assistance: Food through partner food banks, meal programs, and schools
Best for: Anyone in Washington who needs food
How to get help: Food access network
Search the directory by county to find partner food banks and their hours.
Trust signals: Provides about two million meals a month; publishes an annual report and financials.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Seattle
211: Call 211 or 1-800-621-4636 for rent, utility, and shelter help across Washington.
Basic Food (SNAP): Apply for food and cash help at Washington Connection.
Washington LawHelp: Free legal information on evictions and tenant rights at washingtonlawhelp.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around Seattle? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in the Seattle area doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, utilities, and groceries are stacking up for a lot of families. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your city, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a power move.
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