UW On-Campus Housing
Housing accommodations include adjustments within University residence halls or apartments to ensure the living environment is accessible and meets your disability-related needs. This could include assignment to a specific room type (e.g., single or ground floor with accessible path), room modifications (e.g. installing a visual fire alarm or handrails in the shower), or approval for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or Service Animal in residence.
Housing accommodations are managed separately by each campus. Be sure to read the DRS and housing office process for the campus you want to live on. You will formally request accommodations through our secure online portal, myDRS.
Applying for DRS on-campus housing accommodations
If you are seeking accommodations for on-campus housing, you must apply for housing accommodations with DRS and apply to Campus Housing separately. If you want to apply for academic accommodations as well, you will need to complete two DRS application forms. More information can be found on our Getting Started page. Please note there are application deadlines for DRS (listed below) and separate application deadlines for Campus Housing.
If you need housing accommodations for a UW-sponsored off-campus program (study abroad, clinical placement, Friday Harbor labs, etc.), you do NOT need to take these steps. You only need to complete the DRS Academic Accommodation Application.
DRS Housing Accommodation Application
Fill out the DRS Housing Accommodation Application and/or follow the additional steps described below for accommodations related to:
- On-Campus Housing
- Dining and dietary needs
- Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in housing
- Service animals in housing
For housing related to an off-campus UW academic program such as study abroad or a research lab, please complete the DRS Academic Accommodation Application.
DRS Housing Accommodation Application
DRS first determines if you are eligible for housing accommodations and approves reasonable accommodations. This decision is not based on housing availability but on an assessment of barriers and impacts. Then DRS informs Campus Housing of your approved accommodation so they can determine how they will implement your housing accommodation based on availability. DRS approved accommodations do not guarantee that you get a room that allows for your accommodations in a specific timeframe.
Documentation
The preferred documentation for housing accommodations is the Disability Verification Form–Housing/ESA. Please visit our Documentation Guidelines page for more information.
Note
Once your accommodations are approved through DRS, you do not need to reapply annually. However, you have to apply for Campus Housing annually.
Deadlines
| Quarter | Student Type | Deadline | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Returning housing students | April 1 | Returning on-campus housing students seeking a change to their Fall quarter housing accommodations. |
| Fall | New housing students | June 1 | Newly admitted students and students who have NOT lived in on-campus housing before seeking Fall quarter housing accommodations. |
| Winter | All Students | November 1 | – |
| Spring | All students | February 1 | – |
| Summer | All students | May 1 | – |
*Students ONLY need to reach out to DRS for NEW accommodations. Otherwise, your current accommodations will automatically transfer between quarters.
Note
Students must follow both Campus Housing and DRS timelines as well as complete applications for both offices. Approved accommodations do not guarantee availability of campus housing for all applicants, nor give preference or priority to any building or unit. Late applications will be processed on a space-available basis.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Complete the general DRS Housing Accommodation Application. For all ESA requests the preferred documentation is the Disability Verification Form–Housing/ESA. Please visit our Documentation Guidelines page for more information.
If you want an ESA in Campus Housing, then you will need to complete the additional housing application steps detailed above.
Service Animals
Generally, service animals are permitted on campus in most spaces you enter as a student. However, if you require a service animal to reside with you in Campus Housing you will need to complete the DRS Housing Accommodation Application.
Housing
Students requesting that a service animal be permitted to reside in Campus Housing will need to complete the DRS Housing Accommodation Application. Please refer to the steps detailed above.
Academic setting
It’s helpful but not required for building coordinators and instructors to be notified when service animals will be present in the environment. You can reach out to your campus DRS office or complete the DRS Academic Accommodation Application if you would like DRS assistance with notifications or help resolving concerns about the animal in the academic setting.
Dietary Accommodations
Students with special dietary needs are not exempt from meal plan requirements or given priority assignment to specific room types such as a single room or studio. If you are requesting dietary modifications, follow the steps for your campus.
Seattle: Many dietary modifications can be addressed directly with HFS and do not require you to complete an application for DRS. Start by contacting the HFS Nutrition Team at uwdining@uw.edu to schedule a consultation. If HFS is unable to meet your needs, they will refer you to DRS for further assessment. More information is available on the HFS Website.
Bothell: Next steps will be emailed to you after you submit the DRS Housing Accommodation Application.
Tacoma: Next steps will be emailed to you after you submit the DRS Housing Accommodation Application.
Note
Special dietary needs do not automatically guarantee dining account adjustments or housing on-campus and/or specific room types if you are living on-campus.
Apply to Campus Housing
In addition to applying to DRS for accommodations, you also need to apply to Campus Housing in order to be considered for on-campus housing.
Seattle: Use the Seattle MyHFS Portal. For assistance, call 206-543-4059 or email hfsinfo@uw.edu.
Bothell: Use the UW Bothell Housing Application. For assistance, call 425-352-3544 or email uwbreslife@uw.edu.
Tacoma: Use the UW Tacoma Housing Application. For assistance, call 253-692-5708 or email court17@uw.edu.
Note
Be sure to select “disability accommodation needed” on your housing profile and check your Campus Housing website for their specific application deadlines.
FAQ’s on Housing Accommodations
Does having a disability accommodation give me priority housing assignments?
No. Housing applications with disability accommodations requested and approved by the listed deadlines receive priority within each student’s priority assignments status. This means that approved accommodation placements will happen before others with the same priority status, but it will not increase a priority status to a higher one for a student.
Can DRS waive termination or other HFS housing fees as disability accommodation?
No. Students should review their housing agreements before terminating their housing agreements.
Do I need to complete more than just the housing application to receive housing disability accommodations?
Yes. The process for requesting disability accommodations is separate from the UW housing application process. Students need to apply for UW housing, and request housing accommodations through DRS. Please review the Steps to Receive Housing Accommodations, above.
Can I apply for priority in Family Housing?
Yes. The reason why family housing on campus is needed based on the disability and or health condition will need to be stated. Students with disabilities in family housing needs can request to be placed in 1st priority category. The request will need to be reviewed by DRS for approval. Review the Family Housing Priority System.
Can dependents and/or family of UW students living in family housing request housing accommodations?
Yes. The UW student works with DRS to make the housing request for their family members living with them. The UW student will need to complete process outlines in the Steps to Receive Housing Accommodations, above.
Can I submit a request after a deadline?
Yes. Accommodation requests will still be processed after the deadline; however, there is a high likelihood that you will be on a waitlist, especially if assignments have already been made for the quarter. Review the UW Housing Accommodations Deadlines.
Is it possible to bring special furniture or my own mattress if medically necessary?
Yes. With an approved accommodation, this can be arranged with advance notice. Please review the Steps to Receive Housing Accommodations above.
Does having ADHD or a learning disability qualify for a single room to have a specific study environment?
No. Single rooms are not assigned based on diagnosis of ADHD or learning disability and a need for a quiet study space. HFS Residence staff can help facilitate our agreements to allow both roommates to successfully study in their room. In addition, study areas within residence halls, academic study areas, and the various campus libraries are alternative places where students can study.
What if I am diagnosed with a disability after the housing deadline?
If you are diagnosed with a disability after deadlines have passed, still follow the steps above to receive housing accommodations. DRS will make an effort to process your request in a timely manner, but there may be a delay in implementation of accommodations based upon housing availability.
Additional Resources for Seattle Housing Accommodations
Residence Halls At a Glance (you can find floor plans by each hall here)
Housing & Food Services Accommodation Information
Housing Agreements information
(Updated 3/2026)