Multi-Service Center (MSC) — Rent, Emergency & Energy Assistance
Two separate programs. Rent and emergency help: one-time help with rent or utilities for people living inside the city limits of Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton or SeaTac. Funds are limited and help is not guaranteed. Renton is out of funding for October 2026 and is not taking rent applications that month. Applications take at least a week to process. Energy help (LIHEAP, state energy help, PSE HELP) is a separate program for South King County ZIP codes; MSC says to check back in mid to late November for news on federal and state energy funding, and since 1 October it handles PSE HELP applications made online only. Portable A/C units and limited water bill help in the Lakehaven area are also listed. Services: one-time rent assistance, energy bill assistance, cooling assistance, emergency help
Where: Kent office: 24437 Russell Road, Suite 200, Kent, WA 98032; main: 1200 S 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours: Rent and emergency help: online applications open on the first business day of each month at 9:00am; after you apply you attend a phone or in-person appointment with your documents. No walk-ins. Renton is not taking rent applications in October 2026; check the MSC page for later months. Energy help: book by calling the 24-hour appointment line or online.
Languages: unknown (not published on assistance page)
Accessibility: Rent: apply online (someone else may help you fill it out), then attend a phone or in-person appointment with documents; no walk-ins. Energy: call the 24-hour appointment line or book online; a mail-in option is listed for people who are homebound (disabled, or 65 and older with no other able-bodied household member).
Cost: Free
Who can use: Rent and emergency help: you must live inside the city limits of Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton or SeaTac (Tukwila is not listed for rent help). Income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (see the MSC page for the table), and for most funding your income must be at least twice your rent. You need proof of the emergency, your lease and a ledger from your landlord, and ID and income proof for every adult in the household. Help is one time only. Energy help: South King County ZIP codes, with income limits that depend on the program and household size; see the MSC energy page.