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Housing

Vision

To see that every tribal citizen can access housing that meets their individual needs and is free from any form of discrimination.

Mission Statement

To provide affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for Tribal citizens through supportive and orderly community development; offer services that support social, physical and community housing activities and education to promote harmony, cooperation and values.

News From Our Housing Department

Open Enrollment to Emergency Food Assistance Program - Apply Here

 

 FREE / REDUCED attainment of STATE ID, BIRTH CERTICATE, and SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS!

Free/Reduced WA ID Card:

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness are eligible for one free WA ID card per lifetime.
  • Individuals receiving public assistance or WIC can get a $5 voucher for a WA ID card from their local DSHS office. There is no lifetime limit on the $5 voucher at this time.
  • Individuals under the age of 25 do not need a voucher for a $5 ID card.
  • No appointment at the DOL is needed.
  • If the individual has had a WA ID card or license issued before, they do not need any other documentation.
  • If the person has not had a WA ID card or license issues before, they may need to provide proof of identity documents OR they can visit the DOL and ask to speak with a supervisor about their situation to learn what other options they might have.
  • More Info: ID help for the unhoused | Washington State Department of Licensing

Free Birth Certificate:

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness can obtain a birth certificate at no charge.
  • A government agency or homeless service provider must provide a letter on official letterhead and complete a mail order form to prove eligibility.
  • The individual must provide identify verification documents. A list of documents is available at the link below.
  • More Info: Vital Records No Fee in Specific Circumstances | Washington State Department of Health

Free Social Security Card:

  • Individuals can request a free replacement of their social security card online or in person.
  • For individuals who need to go in person, they must have an appointment scheduled.
  • More Info: Replace Social Security card | SSA

All services offered in Housing are provided in our ten-county service area: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom.

Samish Xwch'angteng Housing is Located in Anacortes, WA 98221

Program

Description

Homelessness Prevention

Have you received a Pay or Vacate Notice and facing eviction for nonpayment of rent? If so, qualifying applicants may be eligible for assistance.

Apply Here

Samish Steps Toward Stability (SSTS)

Are you currently homeless, living in an overcrowded situation, living out of your car or tent or place not suitable for living? If so, The Samish Steps Toward Stability (SSTS) program may be of benefit to qualifying applicants. This program requires full engagement between participants and their assigned Samish case manager. It is a crisis focused program designed around the individual needs of the household. This program includes help with finding a place to live, budgeting, referrals, rental assistance, and supportive services that included a strong focus of active engagement from the participants of the program.

Apply Here

Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

Are you 62 years of age or older and or have a permanent disability and unable to work (with medical documentation) and having trouble paying your rent each month? If eligible this program offers long term stability through case management services and rental assistance.

This program is currently accepting waitlist applications. Applicants will be called back when the program is ready to review new applicants. Currently, there is no timetable for when the program will accept new applicants into the program. If you are interested in applying for this program, please reach out to our Samish Indian Nation Housing Department directly

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Heating bill too high? Electric bill unmanageable? Are you an elder, person with a disability, or have someone under the age of 5 years old living with you and need cooling in the summer or heat in the winter?

This might be the program for you. If eligible, this program can help you with weatherization, energy payments, and help you be more energy efficient.

Program is full and unable to take on new participants.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)

Running out of food before your next paycheck? Unable to afford healthy foods?

This might be the program for you. If eligible, this program supplies vouchers and/or bulk purchases for citizens.

Samish Xwch'angteng Housing

The Samish Xwch’angteng Housing program serves the affordable housing needs of low-income Samish Tribal Citizens that are 62 years of age or older and/or Samish Tribal Citizens that are permanently and totally disabled.

Eligibility is further determined by verification of enrollment, income, references from landlords and credit providers, criminal and credit background checks, and household composition.

If you are interested in applying for this program, please reach out to our Samish Indian Nation Housing Department directly

Housing and Program Policies and Guidelines

Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Xws7ámeshqen Syisó7steng’ (Samish Language History)


Learn and discuss history of Xws7ámeshqen Syisó7steng’ (the Samish Language)

Dates: 15 – 15 Jan, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for a potluck dinner followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 15 – 15 Jan, 2026

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Treaty Day Talk (Summit Park campus + online)

Anacortes, WA

Join us at Summit Park or online to learn about the history and significance of signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott.

Dates: 22 – 22 Jan, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for dinner (meal provided) followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 29 – 29 Jan, 2026

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Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Bingo Fun!


Samish Elders are invited to Bingo Fun!

Dates: 30 – 30 Jan, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for a potluck dinner followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 12 – 12 Feb, 2026

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Dentalium Earrings Class (online)


Make a pair of dentalium earrings and learn about the cultural importance of dentalium shells.

Dates: 17 – 17 Feb, 2026

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Earthquake/Tsunami Preparedness


Informative session on emergency preparedness.

Dates: 19 – 19 Feb, 2026

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Dentalium Earrings Class (Summit Park campus)

Anacortes, Washington

Make a pair of dentalium earrings and learn about the cultural importance of dentalium shells.

Dates: 21 – 21 Feb, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for dinner (meal provided) followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 26 – 26 Feb, 2026

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Samish in the Historical Record (Fidalgo Bay Resort + online)

Anacortes, WA

Join us for a public history talk tracing the history of the Samish Indian Nation, presented by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 03 – 03 Mar, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for a potluck dinner followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 12 – 12 Mar, 2026

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Weaving Retreat (Samish Island)


Get away to Samish Island for a weekend of 2-day wool and cedar weaving projects, along with language classes and games.

Dates: 20 – 22 Mar, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for dinner (meal provided) followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 26 – 26 Mar, 2026

More Details

Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Spring Gathering


Join us for an afternoon of good conversation, culture talk and bingo.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2026

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Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for a potluck dinner followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 09 – 09 Apr, 2026

More Details

Dinner & Drumming (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Gather for dinner (meal provided) followed by Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 23 – 23 Apr, 2026

More Details