Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees

(Posted 11/3/2025) The information below is for educational purposes and is not legal advice.

ARCH welcomes immigrants and refugees in our rental and homeownership programs. ARCH does not record or inquire about an individual's citizenship or immigration status when providing services to members of the public. ARCH provides information to help answer questions and concerns that we hear from immigrant and refugee communities about accessing affordable housing through ARCH. Our commitment is to treat ALL community members with dignity and respect and to connect individuals with the appropriate resources to support their housing needs. 

While ARCH’s Rental Program application does NOT ask for immigration or documentation status, many of ARCH’s affordable units are within market-rate apartment buildings and property managers have their own application processes that ARCH does not control. Property managers are required to follow laws that prohibit discrimination based on immigration and citizenship status, including the Washington State Law Against Discrimination. More information on fair housing and national origin can be found here: https://www.hum.wa.gov/fair-housing/national-origin-housing.

ARCH is not able to provide legal advice or investigate discrimination complaints. We encourage individuals who believe they have experienced housing discrimination to consult with a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance.

For additional resources see the “immigration legal assistance” section of ARCH’s Community Resource page - https://www.archhousing.org/community-resources#immigration.