Description
Founded in 1981, Helping Hand House was brought to life through the determination and perseverance of our founder and a local Lutheran Church. The agency began as a grassroots response to homeless families. In the first few years, 2 to 4 units were rented by volunteers and shared with families in need. Unfortunately, the need did not disappear, and in fact, increased at a rapid rate. The determination was made by the volunteers to make Helping Hand House an official non-profit organization. In 1984, the agency was incorporated and recognized as a 501(c)(3). We have continued to provide emergency housing and support services, as well as added transitional housing and homeless prevention, to serve homeless families in Pierce County throughout the past 23 years.
Emergency Housing: Helping Hand House has 8 emergency houses/apartments, which are located in Puyallup and Sumner, WA. The houses and apartments are located in residential neighborhoods and, to a passer-by; do not appear to be an emergency housing site. When a homeless family enters our program they live in their own home, which is completely furnished. Most of these units have 2-3 bedrooms, which allows us to help large families. A family's length of stay at one of these sites is up to 90 days.
Transitional Housing: Our transitional housing program consists of 29 housing units. These houses and apartments are located in the communities of Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Orting, Eatonville and Milton,WA. Families in our transitional housing can stay up to 24 months.
All families in both our emergency and transitional housing programs receive the same services which include weekly meetings with a case manager, provision of basic needs (food, household supplies, clothes) and assistance in acquiring the skills for long term independence (budgeting, job readiness, first-time home buyers). The primary focus of the services we provide is to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness. We work on long-term independence tomorrow, not short-term survival today.
Homeless Prevention: Our homeless prevention program provides emergency financial assistance to families who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Helping Hand House can give financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities to families who, without this assistance, would become homeless. Families can apply for this financial assistance only once per calendar year.
Program Eligibility: Helping Hand House only provides services to families with minor children (17 and under). We provide services to families throughout Pierce County
