If you need help paying rent in Tacoma, there are organizations that can help you. After all, paying rent can be difficult even in the best of times but Tacoma’s rapidly rising rents are making it difficult for many low income families to make their housing payments.
Many individuals and families are just one sickness or one emergency expense away from not being able to afford their own shelter. Fortunately, there are organizations and agencies available to help tenants in the Tacoma, Washington, area afford their rent.
Let’s review all the programs that may be able to help you.
Government Rent Assistance Programs
There are several government assistance programs that may be able to help you make your rent payments. If you’re in Tacoma, be sure to check these out!
Pierce County Eviction Prevention
The Pierce County Eviction Prevention program can offer help paying rent in Tacoma for low income individuals and families. This program has limited funding, though, so not everyone who applies will be able to receive help. Starting in February 2024, households are selected through a lottery system.
If you are eligible for this program, it can pay for up to seven months of rent – three past due months, the current month, and up to three future months. This is a huge relief for low income families. If you need help paying rent in Tacoma, you absolutely need to apply for this because it can provide substantial relief.
In order to be eligible for rent assistance from this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must live in Pierce County.
- You must be renting. The lease must be in your name and you must currently live in the rental.
- You must have an eviction notice or pay-or-vacate notice from your landlord.
- You must have a household income that is 80% or less of the Area Median Income.
- You must be fully responsible for the rent. If your rent is subsidized by Section 8 or other public housing programs, you cannot apply.
- You must owe past-due rent for the last 1, 2 or 3 months. If you owe more than 3 months of rent, you cannot apply.
- You must agree to Case Management Services.
- Your landlord must agree to work with the program.
Applications are reviewed on the second Friday of each month. If you are not selected, you can apply again in six months. Start the application by clicking the Apply button on the Pierce County Government website.
Pierce County Veterans Program
Military members and veterans who live in Pierce County may be able to get help paying rent in Tacoma through the county’s Veterans Program. This fund can provide emergency financial relief for rent, as well as utilities, medical needs, food, and even burial assistance.
Eligible veterans can receive help with rent once per year from this program. If you need food assistance, you can get help up to three times per year depending on your income.
In order to be eligible, you must meet these requirements:
- You must prove your veteran status with an original or certified copy of your DD214 or Certificate of Discharge.
- You must provide proof of your identification and documentation of your dependents.
- You must have lived in Washington State for at least 12 months prior to your application.
- You must show evidence of a job search, unless you are disabled or unemployable.
If you are interested in applying, you will need to contact the Veterans Assistance Fund directly. When my husband and I used the VAF in our county, we had to schedule an appointment and bring our documentation to the interview.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
If you’re a low income family in Tacoma and you need help paying rent, you may want to look into Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This program can provide a monthly cash boost to help pay your bills, including your rent.
To be eligible for TANF, your family has to meet certain conditions. The most important thing is making sure that you qualify based on your household income and household size. This program focuses on serving low income families with children.
Applying for TANF is actually really easy. You just need to reach out to your local Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) office, either online, by phone, or in person.
Diversion Cash Assistance
Diversion Cash Assistance is actually an alternative to the TANF program. Instead of a consistent monthly cash boost, Diversion gives you a bigger amount of money all at once. It’s a great way to get out of a short-term financial crisis, like if you’re behind on rent.
If you’re short on rent this month or you’re experiencing a financial emergency that’s making things especially tight, the DCA program may be able to help you. The assistance comes as a one-time cash benefit, targeting to ease up your pressure during days of economic trouble.
To tap into Diversion, you will need to reach out to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The application is usually the same as the TANF application.
Other Cash Assistance Programs
Washington State offers other cash assistance programs that may be able to help you pay your rent. These include:
- Additional Requirements for Emergency Needs (AREN) can provide up to $750 every 12 months for low income individuals and families who are already receiving help from TANF or WorkFirst services.
- Aged Blind and Disabled Cash Assistance (ABD) can provide up to $417 per month for an individual or up to $528 for a married couple. These benefits are available to seniors and those who are living with permanent long-term disabilities (including blindness). You must meet income limits and other guidelines.
- Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) can provide additional cash assistance for rent. This program helps Washington residents who are low income and unable to work for at least 90 days due to a disability or incapacity.
- Pregnant Women’s Assistance (PWA) can provide up to $363 for pregnant women who are eligible for TANF or SFA but don’t get it for some reason.
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) can provide up to $459 to eligible refugees who recently arrived in the states.
To connect with these programs, you will need to work with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. You can connect with your local DSHS office online or at one of the following locations.
- Tacoma Home & Community Services Office: 1949 S State St Tacoma WA 98405
- Pierce South Community Services Office: 1301 E 72nd St Tacoma WA 98404
Get Help Paying Rent from Nonprofits & Charities
There are several agencies that assist both families and individuals who need help paying rent in Tacoma. These agencies all have their own rules and eligibility requirements, so it’s important to reach out to them directly for more information.
Living Access Support Alliance
LASA offers rental assistance and services to the homeless community. They have several housing programs that help people in Tacoma. Occasionally, they are also able to offer help paying rent in Tacoma for people who have received a Pay-or-Vacate notice.
This organization also provides other forms of assistance, like clothing and free feminine hygiene products, through the Essential Needs Closet.
Salvation Army
If you need help paying rent in Tacoma, then contact the The Salvation Army! They provide rental assistance, emergency housing and so much more to Tacoma area residents.
The Salvation Army is known for their robust support of low income communities. In addition to help with rent, you may also be able to get help with utilities, medications and so much more. Contact the Tacoma Corps for more information about how to get help.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a reliable resource if you need help paying rent in Tacoma. They can even assist you with other needs, like food or gas, if you need additional assistance.
In order to get rental assistance from St. Vinnies, you’ll need to contact the partner parish that serves your zip code. If you don’t see one, you can email SVdP Tacoma with more information about your emergency need. Their website states they’ll get back to you within 72 hours.
Army Emergency Relief
Soldiers and military members who are based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord may be able to get help paying rent in Tacoma from their installation’s Army Emergency Relief program. This program provides assistance through grants and no-interest loans.
You can reach the JBLM Army Emergency Relief office by calling (253) 967-9852 or by visiting the office at 2166 Liggett Avenue in Building 2140.
Other Ways to Get Help Paying Rent in Tacoma
There are other organizations that also may be able to assist you if you need help with rent in Tacoma. These may not offer you cash directly, but they may be able to help you in other ways.
Nationwide Rent Relief Resources
In this article, we have focused on Tacoma-based resources that can help you. There are many other organizations that exist nationwide that may be able to help with paying rent in Tacoma even though the organizations themselves aren’t local.
Check our full list of nationwide rent relief resources for more ways that you can get help paying your rent. You may be surprised how many organizations are available to help!
Solid Ground
Solid Ground is an organization that helps you understand your rights as a renter. If you are unable to pay your rent, Solid Ground may be able to help you navigate the situation so that you can secure the best possible outcome.
Relief Recap
There are many ways to get help paying your rent in Tacoma! From government programs like the Pierce County Eviction Program to local charities like LASA, there are many organizations that can help pay your housing costs. You just need to contact the providers on this list for assistance.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.