Housing and Shelter Services

Housing and Shelter Services Program

This Associated Ministries' program helps homeless people find shelter and those facing eviction find resources to stay in their homes. Between September 2004 and June 2005, the Housing & Shelter Services Coordinator fielded 2,700 calls from individuals needing assistance with housing resources, including referrals to emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and homelessness prevention resources such as rental and utility assistance.

For more information please contact the Housing and Shelter Services Coordinator at 253-682-3401 or e-mail yvonnee@associatedministries.org.

Grand Chance Program

The Grand Chance program provides the basic need of a home for many homeless families and individuals. To assist individuals and families who have rental, credit, or other personal histories that negatively affect their rental applications secure housing, the Grand Chance program provides an accommodation agreement with the landlord, guaranteeing up to $1,000 if the tenant defaults on the rental agreement. The program also provides case management services to all program participants. This program helps individuals and families secure permanent housing and provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate their readiness to be self-sufficient.

For more information please contact Yvonne Eden at 253-682-3401 or yvonnee@associatedministries.org.

Emergency Shelter Assistance Program

The Emergency Shelter Assistance Program provides funding and oversight to twelve shelters in Pierce County. Through this program, Associated Ministries annually manages over $1,000,000 of the state and county’s homelessness prevention funds.

For more information please contact Rev. David Alger, 383-3056, ext. 102 or davida@associatedministries.org.

Open Hearth Ministries

Open Hearth Ministries provides motel vouchers and case management services to homeless families and individuals with special needs in the Puyallup/South Hill area. Between September 2004 and June 2005, this Associated Ministries program sheltered 55 families, providing approximately 700 bed nights to homeless adults and children. Open Hearth Ministries was started because there currently is insufficient shelter bed space in Eastern Pierce County to meet the needs of the growing homeless population. Through motel vouchers, Open Hearth Ministries provides a temporary, emergency solution for families and individuals until they can be placed in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program. Along with supplying motel vouchers, the program provides case management services and food to homeless families and individuals that are served through the program. Case Managers help families and individuals access the necessary programs to stabilize their lives and secure longer-term housing.

For more information please contact Open Hearth Ministries at 253-307-2270, Sister Pat Michalek at 253-770-6991, or email Mary DeForrest at maryd@associatedministries.org

Severe Weather Assistance Program

The Severe Weather Assistance Program provides motel rooms for homeless people when shelters are full during freezing weather. From January-March 2005, Associated Ministries rented approximately 31 motel rooms through this fund, helping to keep around 120 individuals safe and warm during the harsh winter months.

For more information please contact the Housing and Shelter Services Coordinator at 253-682-3401 or e-mail yvonnee@associatedminisries.org.