Eviction prevention

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The Pierce County Eviction Prevention program supports eligible low-income households with their past due rent. Submitting an application does not guarantee payment and due to limited funding, not all eligible households can be served through this program. Households must answer all questions and submit all required documentation to be eligible. 

Landlords:  Starting October 10, 2023, Landlords will not create an account.  The tenant will submit and IF APPROVED FOR ASSISTANCE, the nonprofit providers will reach out to the landlord to collect your documentation and payment information.  Landlords will no longer be able to start an application for tenants moving forward.  This is to respond to landlord time and provide a faster process for households and landlords. 

Before starting an application please read the eligibility requirements and required documentation. Tenants and Landlords:  Please get accurate email for Landlord/Tenant BEFORE starting an application. The email must be accurate.  

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Do you have a legal issue related to eviction or landlord-tenant laws? 

Join us for a “Partner Pop-Up” event hosted by Pierce County Libraries, TacomaPROBONO, and Pierce County Human Services during September and October. TacomaPROBONO will be available to answer legal questions, provide information and resources, and determine eligibility for assistance. Also in attendance will be the Eviction Prevention program, which can help eligible low-income households with their past due rent.


Upcoming Events:

  1. Am I eligible?
  2. Service Providers
  3. Apply for Eviction Prevention

ELIGIBILITY

  • Household must live in Pierce County.
  • Household must agree to Case Management Services.
  • Household must be a renter.
  • Household must Currently Reside in Unit.
  • Households must have an eviction notice, 30-day notice, 14-day pay or vacate from their landlord.
  • Household must have past due RENT (program can not serve utilities only)
  • Household is behind on rent up to 3 months. We do not pay for more than 3 months past due rent and this program does not pay for utilities only. Households more than 3 months in arrears are not eligible to apply. 
  • Household is under 80% Area Median Income.
  • Household must have a lease in their own name.
  • Household cannot be in subsidized unit (Section 8, Permanent Supportive Housing, Voucher Program, etc) and must be fully responsible for 100% of rent.
  • Household must have all document listed below:
      • Photo IDs for all household members over age 18
      • Proof of income or self-attestation to no income
      • Lease in their own name
      • Ledger from Landlord
      • Proof of residency (utility bill in their name with address, recent mail received)
      • Utility bills in their name (must have past due rents to be eligible for this program)
  • Landlord must be willing to work with the program.  A household may be deemed eligible but the landlord may still refuse to work with this program after referral.  When that happens the tenant will be denied and notified. 
    • Tenants MUST work with their landlords to obtain the following information PRIOR to submission:
      • Landlord First and Last Name
      • Landlord Email
      • Landlord Phone number
      • Landlord Address

Please note: This program only pays up to 125% fair market rent for the unit size. Unit size must be reasonable for household size. 

The Eviction Prevention program can pay up to 3 months rental arrears, 1 month current,  and up to 3 additional months rents with case management to low income households. Rental Arrears and Current rents are paid monthly directly to the landlord. All funding is based on need and there is no guarantee of assistance through this program.

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Attention Applicants:

Pierce County Human Services may share personally identifying information about each household with community partners as required to receive services or reporting. Community partners include, but are not limited to, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington State Department of Commerce, City of Tacoma, City of Lakewood, Nonprofit providers, Center for Dialogue and Resolution, Tacomaprobono, Superior Court, and employment services.