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Human Services - COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance

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1. How do I apply?

Applicants may go online to www.piercecountywa.gov/housinghelp to find applications for COVID-19 rental assistance, mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention counseling.

2. What is the application process?

Rental Assistance

Once the application is submitted, a service provider, contracted with Pierce County, will make initial contact within 24 hours to confirm contact information and provide next steps.  The provider will then schedule an intake meeting.  The service provider will ensure the application is complete, the applicant is eligible, and if so, begin the process to disburse funds to the landlord.

Mortgage Assistance

Once the application is submitted, a foreclosure prevention counseling agency, contracted with Pierce County, will reach out to the applicant in approximately 15 days. The foreclosure prevention counselor will ensure the application is complete, the applicant is eligible, and if so, begin the process foreclosure prevention counseling and providing mortgage assistance.

3. How long will it take?

Rental Assistance

The time frame for coordinating with the landlord and determining that a client is eligible will vary 2-4 weeks. It is dependent upon how quickly landlords and applicants can verify rent due and payment details. Payments are made directly to landlords.  

Mortgage Assistance

The time frame for coordinating with the owner and mortgage loan servicer will vary. Payments are made directly to mortgage companies, banks and/or loan servicers.   

4. When/how will I be notified when I am approved?

Rental Assistance

A service provider will work with the applicant to determine eligibility and collect required documentation.  The applicant will be contacted regarding the outcome of eligibility via email or phone.

Mortgage Assistance

The foreclosure prevention counseling agency will work with the applicant to determine eligibility. If the applicant is approved the foreclosure prevention counseling agency will communicate the approval via email or phone.

5. What is the statewide eviction moratorium?

On February 29, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a State of Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and confirmed person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in Washington State. This moratorium has been extended through October 15, 2020.

A temporary moratorium on evictions and related actions throughout Washington State helps reduce economic hardship and related life, health, and safety risks to those members of our workforce who are impacted by layoffs and substantially reduced work hours or who are otherwise unable to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the eviction moratorium info sheet to learn more about the moratorium:

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6. Who do I contact if I need assistance with the application?

For assistance filling out your rental or mortgage application, call 253-798-7171.

For a status update on your rental application, please email preventionrentalassistance@piercecountywa.gov. Please wait at least 2 weeks after submission before requesting a status update. Pierce County staff will return emails within 3 business days.

7. What documents can I use as evidence of income?

Rental Assistance

Participants can submit wage statements, unemployment compensation statements, pay stubs, public benefits statements and bank statements as evidence of income.  Households may also self-certify if necessary.

Mortgage Assistance

Participants can submit wage statements, unemployment compensation statements, pay stubs, public benefits statements and bank statements as evidence of income. The foreclosure prevention counseling agency may request additional proof of income as needed.

8. If I received previous emergency COVID-19 rental assistance from Share and Care House am I eligible to apply for this rental assistance?

Yes. Households may be eligible to receive up to 3-months of rental assistance. If a household received less than 3-months from the previous rental assistance program, they may be eligible to receive assistance for the remaining months.

9. I applied for assistance and received less than 3 months. May I re-apply if I need more rental assistance?

You do not need to reapply, but may be able to receive additional rental assistance. Please contact the provider who assisted you with rental assistance the first time. If you do not know the contact information of the provider then email preventionrentalassistance@piercecountywa.gov .

10. How do I know if my income qualifies for assistance?

Rental Assistance - CARES (Pierce County CARES Rental Assistance Program)

Households must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income based on their current annual income. Income should be calculated using anyone in the household age 18 and over. This excludes any payment provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

Household Income Limits – 80% Area Median Income

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income Limit (Maximum)	$48,450	$55,400	$62,300	$69,200	$74,750	$80,300	$85,850	$91,350

Rental Assistance - ERAP (Eviction Rental Assistance Program) 

Households must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income based on their current annual income.   Income should be calculated using earned and unearned income for anyone over the age of 18, and unearned income for age 17 and under.  This includes any payment provided via the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

Household Income Limits – 50% Area Median Income

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income Limit (Maximum)	$30,300	$34,600	$38,950	$43,250	$46,750	$50,200	$53,650	$57,100

Mortgage Assistance

Households must be at or below 100% of Area Median Income based on their current annual income. This excludes the $600.00 provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

Household Income Limits – 100% Area Median Income

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income Limit (Maximum)	$60,600	$69,200	$77,900	$86,500	$93,500	$100,400	$107,300	$114,200

11. What documentation do I need from my landlord?

The applicant must have a lease or rental agreement in the applicant’s name, and the service provider will request a W-9 from the landlord. The lease may be month to month, or it may be longer.  The lease may also be a room to rent to a family member or friend, however a W-9 is still required. If the lease is unable to be obtained quickly, providers may use the Landlord form for documentation.

12. Who do I contact if I’m experiencing technical difficulties?

Please call 253-798-7171 or e-mail preventionrentalassistance@piercecountywa.gov 

13. Does this serve people in Tacoma?

This program serves all of Pierce County, including residents who live within the City of Tacoma.

14. Does this replace the old Rental Assistance program managed by Share and Care House?

Yes. This is the new program that has multiple providers, although Share and Care House is still one of them. Anyone wanting to apply for rental assistance now should do so through our online application, not Share and Care House directly.

15. Can I go back and make changes to my original application if I have realized I made a mistake?

No. You cannot go back into the portal and make corrections. Please wait for a provider to contact you. They will confirm that all information submitted was correct and make changes on your behalf. If you originally did not qualify for assistance but now believe you qualify, please email preventionrentalassistance@piercecountywa.gov.

16. Is rental assistance provided per lease holder or per residential dwelling?

Assistance is provided to each unique residential address. If another leaseholder has already received rental assistance to bring your balance current and they have received the maximum allotted amount, then the secondary lease holder does not qualify for assistance.

17. My contact information has changed since I submitted my application, what do I do?

Please email preventionrentalassistance@piercecountywa.gov with your new contact information. They will email the provider you are referred to with the updated information.

18. I was unable to attach documents when I submitted my application, what do I do now?

Please hold on to your documentation until the provider contacts you. They will collect everything when they complete the intake.