Resources for Kirkland Residents Impacted by COVID-19

The City of Kirkland is partnering with community-based organizations to provide rent and mortgage assistance for residents. Email housinghelp@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3326

Вы арендатор или арендодатель и нуждаетесь в финансовой помощи? У вас есть право претендовать на получение жилищной поддержки. Информация о социальном страховании не требуется. Если вы говорите по-русски, то для получения помощи на русском языке звоните по телефону (425) 289-6805. cisc-seattle.org

您是正在寻求财务资助的租户或房东吗？您可能有资格获得住房援助。不需要提供社会安全信息。如果您会说普通话，请致电 (425) 289-6805 获取普通话帮助。cisc-seattle.org

¿Es inquilino o propietario de vivienda y necesita asistencia económica? Puede calificar para apoyo de vivienda. No se necesita información del Seguro Social. Si habla español, llame/envíe un mensaje de texto al (425) 891-0345 para obtener ayuda en español.  www.4tomorrow.today

Você é um inquilino ou proprietário em busca de ajuda financeira? Você pode estar qualificado para apoio habitacional. As informações do seguro social não são necessárias. Se você fala português, ligue/envie mensagem de texto para (425) 891-0345 para obter ajuda em português. www.4tomorrow.today

Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center: Are you behind in rent, or think you may be soon? Are you a landlord or tenant looking for help working out repayment options? The Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center is here to help and is available for Kirkland residents. Information is available in multiple languages and interpretation services are provided as needed. To find out more, please call the Conflict Resolution Center at 425-452-4091, or visit the Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center webpage. 

Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP): If you are facing housing-related challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and you cannot afford a lawyer, the Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) may be able to help. ELAP provides non-criminal legal services to Kirkland residents facing eviction and other housing-related legal issues. ELAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people faced with domestic violence, housing, financial, healthcare, immigration and other issues that need a legal solution. To find out if you qualify, visit: www.elap.org or call 425-747-7274.  

Rent: 

The City of Kirkland has extended the eviction moratorium until September 30, 2021. Landlords are not allowed to file an eviction for non-payment of rent. This moratorium does not remove the requirement for tenants to pay rent. There is financial assistance available for tenants and landlords. Please do not wait until the moratorium ends to seek assistance. These programs are available to help with unpaid and future rent now. 

The King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance program has over $200 million in assistance available for households impacted by Covid-19 due to illness, loss of income, or unemployment. To apply, visit here.  If you need language assistance: Please contact 206-477-1331

Mortgage: 

If you currently face foreclosure and need a resource to help navigate the process, FREE housing counseling and civil legal aid for income-qualified individuals and families are currently available by contacting the Washington Homeownership Resource Center. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. To contact the Center, visit their website at https://www.homeownership-wa.org/contact, or call toll free 1–877–894-4663. Online contact: https://portal.homeownership-wa.org/auth/register

Mortgage forbearance is available for household income impacted by Covid-19. If you want to talk to a housing counselor, call the Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1(877) 894-HOME. For mediation, foreclosure prevent, and forbearance options, visit the WA Department of Financial Institutions.

Legal Assistance:

• The Eastside Legal Assistance Program provides no cost civil legal aid. Contact the intake line at: (425) 747-7274 to access services. Leave a message with your name and phone number, along with a brief description of your legal issue. Someone will return your call within 48 hours.
• Housing Justice Project If you have received an eviction notice, call (206) 267-7069 and leave a message or email hjpstaff@kcba.org 
• The King County Bar Association (KCBA) Housing Justice Project offers help with eviction matters. If you have received an eviction notice, call (206) 267-7069 and leave a message or email hjpstaff@kcba.org
• Northwest Justice Project Call 2-1-1 and ask for legal aid for housing
• Solid Ground If you have questions about your rights as a tenant or questions about your housing situation call the Tenant Services Hotline Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 10:30am-1:30pm (206) 694-6767, tenantwa@solid-ground.org 

Resources for Landlords

• Limited Landlord Relief Program: Low-income landlords can receive up to 80% of unpaid rents from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021
• Landlord Covid-19 Relief Programs: Landlords can receive up to $15,000 for unpaid rents from March 1, 2020 through December 31^st, 2021 for tenants who have defaulted on a repayment plan or vacated the unit without being evicted by court order.
• Tenant Preservation Program: Provides court-approved zero-interest loans to tenants to satisfy a judgment awarded to the landlord during an eviction for non-payment of rent and up to three months of future rents.
• Landlord Damage Relief Program:  Landlords can receive up to $5,000 for repairs made to damage caused by a subsidized tenant and up to $1,000 plus up to 14 days of rent loss for making repairs required to pass an HQS inspection for subsidy.
• The City of Kirkland may provide assistance for landlords with tenants behind in rent or have questions about the extended moratorium/protections in place. Email housinghelp@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3326.  

Electricity & Gas. Crisis-Affected Customer Assistance Program - Puget Sound Energy has grant funds available for households with income reductions due to COVID-19. This is part of the Puget Sound Energy response plan for COVID-19, including no disconnections of customers and waiving late fees during this time.

Water, Sewer, Garbage. The City of Kirkland offers reduced water, sewer and garbage rates for qualifying low income, single family residential customers who are 62 years or older, blind, disabled, or home kidney dialysis customers. 

At its March 31 virtual meeting, the City Council approved Ordinance 4722 which allows the City, during the current emergency proclamation, to temporarily defer and suspend the payment of all utility charges and taxes otherwise provided for in Titles Five and Seven of the Kirkland Municipal Code (“KMC”), and also to waive any late fees, penalties or interest payments that might otherwise have accrued during such deferral and suspension. Deferrals will be granted upon request.

King County 2-1-1 connects people to the help they need.
Just call "2-1-1" or 
Text your zip code to 877-211-9274 or
Visit https://www.crisisconnections.org/get-help/community-resources-online/

Community Living Connections is an informational and referral service for older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers and family members - Call 1-844-348-5464

Determine if you are eligible for Washington State’s Medicaid Program Apple Health.

Learn about the coronavirus-related needs covered by Medicare.

Have concerning symptoms, but don’t have a primary care doctor? Call to be screened:

• Eastgate Public Health Center at 206-477-8000
• International Community Health Services (ICHS) 425-373-3030
• HealthPoint 425-882-1697

Dental needs? During this public health emergency, these agencies are assisting with dental emergencies only:

• Eastgate Public Health Center at 206-477-8000
• International Community Health Services (ICHS) 425-373-3030
• HealthPoint 425-883-8000

Mental health needs?

• The Washington Recovery Helpline offers 24-hour help for substance abuse, problem gambling & mental health.

• Crisis Connections 24-Hr Crisis Line: 866-427-4747
  The 24-Hour Crisis Line provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. They can help you determine if you or your loved one needs professional consultation and can link you to the appropriate services. They are a primary source for linking King County residents to emergency mental health services.

Employment Security – Job Service Center. Unemployment benefits information, job training, and WorkSource resources. Website: www.esd.wa.gov  Phone: 1-800-318-6022

Are you unable to get food? Call the Kirkland Food Hotline at 425-207-4777 
The City of Kirkland has partnered with Sound Generations to field calls from residents in need of food but who are unable to get any due to the impacts of COVID-19 on our community. When someone calls 425-207-4777, call center staff at Sound Generations will ask a few questions about the caller’s situation to connect them with needed services. The only requirement to receive assistance with food is to be a Kirkland resident. If callers cannot afford food, then volunteer drivers will pick up and deliver foodbank boxes from Hopelink. For those callers that can purchase food but have no way to get it, volunteer drivers will call back and arrange for meeting food needs.

Lake Washington School District's free "grab and go" meal program has been extended into the fall. As of September 1, 2020, Lake Washington School District offers free meals to children ages one through 18 with pickup available from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at six locations. Meals should be ordered in advance. For more information, including pickup locations, visit the Lake Washington School District website. 

Pickup is currently available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at six locations.

Hopelink is providing pre-packed boxes of food at their Kirkland location. Quantity: Enough food is provided for 21 meals per person.  Pickup Address: 11011 120th AVE NE, Kirkland.  Know someone in need of food who cannot pick up food for themselves? You can pick up for them! Hours of service:

• Tuesdays 12 - 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays 3 - 7 p.m.
• Thursdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Kirkland Boys and Girls Club is offering extended programming during the coronavirus situation. 

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, in coordination with state partners, is developing additional childcare options for different age groups. Please stay tuned and look for future announcements. Families can:

• Visit Child Care Aware. They are equipped to assist families in finding child care nearby your home and/or your workplace, or call 1-800-446-1114 and the WA CCA team will help you search for alternative child care.
• Utilize the Family, Friends & Neighbor program or call 1-866-482-4325.

Learn more:

• Early Learning Settings Frequently Asked Questions During COVID 
• Guidance for Child Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Do you or a loved one need support because of violence within the home? Please call LifeWire’s 24-Hour Helpline at 425-746-1940 or 800-827-8840

Have you or a loved one experienced sexual assault? Please call the 24-Hour Sexual Assault Resource Line: 1.888.99.VOICE (1.888.998.6423)

Comcast is offering two months free for new customers to its Internet Essentials package and has increased the speed of Internet Essentials.

On March 30, King County Executive Dow Constantine has extended the first-half 2020 property tax deadline to June 1. This executive order only applies to individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender. Banks and other financial institutions that pay property taxes on behalf of their lending customers will still need to meet the original April 30 deadline.

Internal Revenue Service offers help for taxpayers, businesses, and others affected by COVID-19. Payment plan website: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application
Website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Although the Peter Kirk Community Center is currently closed to help protect our most vulnerable population and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, there are resources available that seniors can access over the phone. These resources are aimed at Kirkland community members age 50 and above. 

FindARide is an online resource that allows you to search and discover transportation options.
If you have a hard time navigating the website, you can call 425-943-6760 ext 2. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Need to ride the bus, but are not an experienced user:
Call 206-553-3000 or go to https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro.aspx

Are you a Medicaid client?
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is accessed through 1-800-923-7433
More information is available https://www.hopelink.org/need-help/transportation/medicaid-transportation

Looking for additional resources?

Eastside For All has compiled a comprehensive resource list for Kirkland and neighboring communities. King County has recently published a COVID-19 Resource Guide.

Other Financial Support from the State  

Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by COVID-19.  Find information related to unemployment, trouble paying rent, credit cards and mortgages, student loan deferment, short term emergency loans, Insurance Issues, and avoiding scams at its website: Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19

Being a Good Neighbor During an Uncertain Time

 In this time of uncertainty, it is important that we remember our community’s values of being safe, inclusive, and welcoming.  We are all in this together, and we all have a role to play. It is critical to remember that misinformation about COVID-19 can create fear and hostility that hurts people and makes it harder to keep everyone healthy.  No race, nationality, or ethnicity is more likely to have COVID-19.  Speak up if you hear, see, or read harassment, and avoid spreading misinformation. 

Public Health - Seattle & King County has developed various resources for responding to stigma.

Resources for Pet Owners

The City of Kirkland has made temporary changes to pet licensing to help make it easier for people to license their pets during this challenging time. Any Kirkland pet owners that license their pets during the COVID-19 emergency proclamation will have all late fees waived. Pet owners will also not have to provide proof of rabies vaccination if they do not have it available at the time of licensing. 

King County has information on a regional effort to ensure pet owners are able to keep their animals happy and healthy by addressing food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. More info at King County's Pet Assistance Program webpage. 

Resources for Kirkland Business Impacted by COVID-19

The City of Kirkland City has compiled resources for businesses impacted by COVID-19.