Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28 § 59.28.020
Definitions.
Operative Text
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Federally assisted housing" means any multifamily housing that is insured, financed, assisted, or held by the secretary of housing and urban development or the secretary of agriculture under: (a) Section 8 of the United States housing act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f); (b) Section 101 of the housing and urban development act of 1965, as amended (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1701s); (c) The following sections of the national housing act: (i) Section 202 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1701q); (ii) Section 213 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715e); (iii) Section 221(d) (3) and (4) (12 U.S.C. Sec. 17151(d) (3) and (4)); (iv) Section 223(f) (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715n(f)); (v) Section 231 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715v); or (vi) Section 236 (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1715z-1); and (d) The following sections of the housing act of 1949, as amended: (i) Section 514 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1484); (ii) Section 515 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1485); (iii) Section 516 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1486); (iv) Section 521(a)(1)(B) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1490a(a)(1)); or (v) Section 521(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1490a(a)(2)). (2) "Rental agreement" means any agreement that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, regulations, or any other provision concerning the use and occupancy of a federally assisted housing unit. (3) "Owner" means the current or subsequent owner or owners of federally assisted housing. (4) "Low-income use restrictions" means any federal, state, or local statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, or contract which, as a condition of receipt of any federal, state, or local financial assistance, establishes maximum limitations on tenant income as a condition of eligibility for occupancy of the units within a development, imposes any restrictions on the maximum rents that could be charged for any of the units within a development, or requires that rent for any of the units within a development be reviewed by any governmental body or agency before the rents are implemented. (5) "Prepayment" means the payment in full or refinancing of the federally insured or federally held mortgage or loan prior to its original maturity date, or the voluntary cancellation of mortgage insurance, if that would have the effect of terminating any low-income use restrictions. (6) "Public housing agency" means any state or local agency or nonprofit entity that is authorized to administer tenant-based rental assistance under federal, state, or local law.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.020 establishes the key terms used throughout Washington's chapter on federally assisted housing (§ 59.28.010 et seq.). It defines which multifamily housing programs qualify as 'federally assisted housing,' and sets out what counts as a rental agreement, an owner, low-income use restrictions, a prepayment, and a public housing agency under this chapter. These definitions shape how the rest of the chapter's protections and requirements are interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.020, owners of multifamily housing insured, financed, or assisted through programs such as Section 8, Section 236, or USDA rural housing programs are subject to the full scope of Chapter 59.28's obligations. Compliant operators generally confirm whether their property meets the statutory definition of 'federally assisted housing' before taking actions such as prepaying a federally insured mortgage, since prepayment that terminates low-income use restrictions triggers specific notice and other requirements elsewhere in the chapter. Understanding the definition of 'low-income use restrictions' is also important, as it covers not just federal contracts but also state and local agreements that cap rents or income eligibility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.28.020 defines the types of housing and agreements that qualify for the protections found throughout Chapter 59.28.010 et seq., which means tenants living in covered federally assisted housing may have rights that do not apply in conventional rentals. If a property owner attempts to prepay a federally insured mortgage or cancel mortgage insurance in a way that would end low-income use restrictions, the definitions in § 59.28.020 help determine whether the chapter's tenant protections are triggered. Tenants who believe their housing qualifies under these definitions and that their rights may be affected can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider for general information about the chapter's scope.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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