Applying for Rent and Utility Assistance

What Tenants Need to Apply


  1. Email is required to be able to submit documents and be able to get updates on the application process. You must be able to access the email for updates, submit documents, and communicate with providers. 
  2. Tenants must have their landlords name, address, phone number, and email. Landlords will be required to create an account as well.

Tenants must have documentation with the following information for each household member:

  • Name
  • Birthday (must be accurate)
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity
  • Income Source
  • Income Amount
  • Covid Impact

Documents to Collect:

Households and landlords must submit (and upload to the portal) the following documents before an application is considered fully submitted:


  • Proof of income for everyone in the tenant household over age 18 (2020 tax documents or current income)
  • If you do not have income, a self-declaration declaring your current income and the circumstances around income changes is available on the application for submission.
  • Covid-19 Impact- This is a statement about how you've been impacted by Covid.
  • Utility bills (water, sewer, gas, garbage, internet, electric) that household is requesting support for
  • Eviction Notice (tenant only, if applicable)

What Landlords Need to Apply


Documents to Collect:

Households and landlords must submit (and upload to the portal) the following documents before an application is considered fully submitted:


  • Lease (landlord must upload into the portal)
  • Proof of ownership (mortgage statement or tax bill if renting from friend or family) (landlord only)
  • Identification (landlord only: Valid government ID or business license)
  • W-9 (landlord only)
  • Updated ledger (landlord only)

Additional Resources for Landlords:

Landlords may also be eligible to receive assistance from the Landlord Mitigation Programs.

Eligibility


This program is only for renters.


Homeowners are not eligible to apply for this program, but they are encouraged to apply for utility assistance through our Energy Assistance Program.


Homeowners in the City of Tacoma can apply for mortgage assistance here. For others behind on their mortgage and in need of assistance, contact the WA State Foreclosure Hotline at 1-877-894-4663.


If you are a Pierce County resident outside the City of Tacoma, click here to apply for mortgage assistance.



Utility and bill pay:


Renters past due on payments can apply for financial support for the following bills:


  • Electric
  • Water/Sewer
  • Gas
  • Garbage pickup
  • Fuel Oil
  • Internet

How to Apply


Need rental or utility assistance?



Or Apply In-Person


If you have not applied and need assistance completing your application, please call 211 or contact one of our providers to schedule time to be assisted. Households with limited access to internet can also utilize computers at local libraries.




Two hands typing on a laptop
Program Information


Pierce County Human Services and the City of Tacoma have received funding for rental and utility assistance for tenants impacted by COVID-19 and are behind on rent.


Pierce County has an operational rental assistance program. We are currently receiving applications and expending funds for rental assistance. Our fund sources are the is US Department of the Treasury and WA State Dept. of Commerce. The purpose of the Rental Assistance program is to prevent eviction for Pierce County residents (including those living in the City of Tacoma) impacted by COVID-19 who are behind on rent. Applicants must qualify as low-income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), but priority will be given to those under 50% AMI. Below is a snapshot of 80% AMI income limits per household:


80 percent AMI chart


Additional services and resources are available here. This project is being supported in part by federal award number ERA0377, awarded to Pierce County by the U.S. Dept. of Treasury.


If you are not a Pierce County resident, click here to find out where you can apply for rental assistance.

IMPORTANT


In accordance with federal and state mandates, we are prioritizing households that are:

  • Under 50% Area Median Income
  • Unemployed for at least the last 90 days
  • Households with eviction notices


Pierce County Rental Assistance portal determines priority based on information submitted by landlords and tenants. Priority 1 applications will be referred for assistance, followed by Priority 2, Priority 3 etc. based on the capacity of providers, available funding and response time of landlords and tenants referred.

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.