Housing and Shelter Services
Associated Ministries Requests Applications For Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)The Pierce County local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program is accepting applications for 2009. Pierce County may receive up to $551,000 funding to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for 2010. The National Board is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way of America. The Board distributes funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the country. A local board, under the auspices of Associated Ministries determines how funds are distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs in the area. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice non-discrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and /or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. New Applicants welcome. If you are currently receiving funds through this program and wish to apply for additional funding please submit an updated application. Organizations interested in applying should contact Yvonne Eden at (253) 682-3401 or yvonnee@associatedministries.org. The deadline for application is 3:00 pm, January 11, 2010. |
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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.
Emergency Shelter and Homeless Prevention 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. Chris Morton, 383-3056, ext. 102 or chrism@associatedministries.org.
Recovery Act Rental Assistance Program
Associated Ministries is the centralized location for intake and eligibility determination for the Recovery Act Rental Assistance Program offered through federal stimulus monies, the City of Tacoma, and local partnering agencies. Households of all sizes need to still be in their rental housing but at imminent risk of losing their housing, have no other community or family support, meet income guidelines and be recently impacted by the downturn in our economy.
Are you facing evictions (within two weeks?)
Have you had a sudden loss of income?
- Hours cut at work?
- Laid off?
- Unemployment running out?
- Start a new job and have not received your first paycheck yet?
Are you actively looking for a job?
Is your income at or below the income guideines listed below?
For further program information contact Yvonne Eden, Housing and Shelter Coordinator at yvonnee@associatedministries.org or call (253) 682-3401 or (253) 383-3056, ext. 111.
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 253-307-2274, 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.
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.