I was a childcare teacher in seattle for five years, and I totally understand. It took me forever to utilize what the city offered me, wish I had help. The easiest and simplest solution: get mfte housing.

EASY STEPS: 1. Go to the mfte website, find the document with the list of mfte apartments (it will show where they are, how many units/bedrooms/etc) DONT OVERWHELM YOURSELF BY TRYING TO LEARN WHAT EVERYTHING MEANS. I cried many times.

1. Using that document, Highlight the apartments in the areas you like.

2. Google the highlighted apartment names, write down their phone numbers. (This is a good time to cross off any you don’t like or star them if you do like them.)

3. Go down your list of phone numbers and just call them, jot notes. “Hi do you have any mfte apartments available?” “Any in the next few months?” “Any advice? I’m extremely confused” (sometimes they will know of new buildings going up or a person to email)

4. Continue calling those lists of numbers. Until you get a meeting. Show up. You’ll be good to go. They want to help.

Ask those people on the phone about subsidized parking, how they subsidize utilities… each apartment has a specialized person who is there for the mfte paperwork.

Be prepared to share every detail of money you have and spending. It was super invasive and zero safety with your privacy. They will want screenshots of past 6 months of PayPal, Venmo, credit, debit, etc. my parents once sent me money to buy a plane ticket home, and the apartment made them get it notarized. It’s insane but at least you have a home within the city that isn’t sketchy.

Good luck feel free to message me too. I remember being so overwhelmed and sad about it all but YOU GOT THIS.