What We Do
The programs at Helping Hand House enable families living in poverty in Pierce county to overcome challenges and obstacles that have kept them financially vulnerable. To be eligible for our programs, families must reside in Pierce County, have one child (age 17 or under) living with them and be homeless or nearly homeless. Each of the following four programs is tailored to the needs, culture, and location of the families.
- Homeless Prevention provides once a year rent and utility assistance for families with an eviction or utility shut-off notice. Mandatory budgeting and energy conservation life-skills class. County-wide (more)
- Emergency Housingprovides single-family housing and basic needs for up to 90 days with intensive case management and life-skills classes required. Puyallup and Sumner. (more)
- Transitional Housing provides single-family housing and intensive case management for up to 24 months with strong emphasis on financial literacy (budgeting and saving money), life-skills, and workforce training. Orting, Eatonville, Sumner, Puyallup, Buckley, and Bonney Lake. (more)
- Permanent Supportive Housing provides single-family housing support, life-skills training, and intensive case management that decreases gradually as financial resources and skills improve to enable independence. Strong emphasis on workforce training and financial literacy. Sumner and Tacoma. (more)
Although access is not limited to residents in a particular area, the location of our housing does provide a unique opportunity for families to remain in their communities of origin. Staying local can reduce the trauma, especially for the children. They can keep those support systems that may in place – like friends, school, trusted child care providers – and make the transition to stability smoother. The goal of all programs is family stability and self-reliance.
