Pierce County Resources - Utilities & Housing Assistance
You are not alone.
Every family goes through seasons of challenge, and needing support is not a reflection of effort, love, or care. No one should carry the stress of going without food, housing, healthcare, utilities, or basic necessities—especially while raising young children. This resource page exists to offer quiet, practical help and to remind you that support is available within our wider community. Whether you need assistance now or simply want to know what’s out there for the future, please know that reaching for help is a sign of strength, and you are always welcome here. If your family is ever in need of a resource that may not be listed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Wildwood Park Discovery School.
Utilities:
Multi-Service Center – Energy Assistance (South King County)
What it offers: Helps households pay electric, gas, propane, wood, and oil bills through LIHEAP/SHEAP/PSE HELP guidelines — and may assist with cooling/heating appliances.
📞 Phone: 253-854-4406
🌐 Website: https://mschelps.org/gethelp/energy/
📍 Federal Way & South King County service area
King County 2-1-1 / WA 211 Utility Referrals
What it offers: Free multilingual helpline that connects you with local utility assistance, energy programs, payment help, and community resources.
📞 Call: 211 (free)
📞 Text: See wa211.org for options
🌐 Website: https://wa211.org
Auburn Food Bank – Financial/Utility Assistance
What it offers: Limited financial assistance for water, gas, or electric bills for Auburn School District residents (up to ~$300 depending on funds).
📞 Phone: 253-833-8925
🌐 Website: https://theauburnfoodbank.org
📍 2804 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002
City of Auburn Utility Discount & Rebate Programs
What it offers: Discounts or rebates on water, sewer, stormwater, and solid waste bills for low-income seniors and permanently disabled customers.
📞 Utility Billing: 253-931-3038
📧 Email: customerservice@auburnwa.gov
🌐 Website: https://www.auburnwa.gov
📍 25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
City of Kent Utility Billing Assistance (Referral)
What it offers: Customer Service will refer utility bill assistance resources including nonprofit help (e.g., PSC, MSC or 211).
📞 Phone: 253-856-5201
📧 Email: CustomerService@KentWA.gov
📍 400 W Gowe St, Kent, WA 98032
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Assistance Programs
What it offers: Bill discount & payment help programs (PSE HELP or Bill Discount Rate) based on income and household size to reduce monthly energy costs.
📞 PSE Customer Service: 1-888-225-5773
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Washington State
What it offers: Federally funded program helping low-income households pay utility bills and avoid disconnection. Delivered locally through partners like MSC in South King County.
📞 Apply via: 253-854-4406 (MSC South King Service)
🌐 State program info: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/community-opportunities/liheap/
St. James Episcopal Church Utility Assistance – Kent
What it offers: Electric, gas, and water bill help for Kent School District residents with urgent utility shut-off notices (serves families, seniors and disabled).
📞 Phone: 253-852-4100
🌐 Website: https://stjamesoutreach.org/intake/
📍 24447 94th Ave S, Kent, WA 98030
Muckleshoot Family Resource Center
What it offers: Emergency utility assistance (electric, gas, water) for Muckleshoot Tribal Members once per year — including help with utility shut-offs or overdue balances.
📞 Phone: 253-876-3336
📍 39015 172nd Ave SE, Auburn, WA 98092
Salvation Army/Local Neighborhood Assistance (Referral via 211)
What it offers: Though not always a direct provider, Salvation Army and local partners reachable through 211 may offer urgent utility payment assistance or referral to local help.
📞 Call: 211
📞 Salvation Army (Regional): 206-767-6449
🌐 Website: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
Pierce County Human Services – Energy/Utility Assistance
What it is: Utility bill payment help for eligible low-income households (electric, gas, heating fuel) through Pierce County’s Energy Assistance Program (one-time grants to help with energy bills).
📞 Phone: (253) 798-4328
📍 3602 Pacific Ave, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98418
LIHEAP – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
What it is: Federal/state program providing energy utility help via local partners — grants applied directly to your utility provider for heating/electric/gas bills; weatherization referrals available statewide.
📞 Commerce LIHEAP Main Office: (360) 725-2857
📧 Email: liheap@commerce.wa.gov
Metropolitan Development Council – Energy Assistance (Tacoma)
What it is: Utility bill help for City of Tacoma residents, including heating costs through LIHEAP funds; also provides weatherization referrals.
📞 Energy Assistance: (253) 572-5557
📞 Weatherization: (253) 593-2336
📍 Tacoma service area
🌐 Website: mdc-hope.org (Energy Assistance section)
WA 211 – Utility Assistance Referrals
What it is: Free information & referral helpline that connects you to local utility bill help (including PSE HELP, water/sewer assistance programs, non-profit financial aid, and CEAP).
📞 Dial: 211 (from any phone)
📞 Outside WA: 1-877-211-9274
🌐 Website: wa211.org
United Way of Pierce County – 211 (South Sound)
What it is: Regional resource hotline for utility assistance referrals for electric, water, gas and other bills through local nonprofit programs.
📞 Dial: 211
📞 Access Pierce: 253-572-4357 or 1-800-572-4357
🌐 Website: uwpc.org/get-help-now-211
The Salvation Army – Puyallup Valley Corps Utility Assistance
What it is: Local Salvation Army branch offering PSE (Puget Sound Energy) and Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light bill help (up to program limits) to Pierce County residents with urgent utility needs.
📞 Phone: Contact via Puyallup Salvation Army main line (check local directory)
📍 Puyallup Valley Corps, Pierce County
🌐 Website: puyallup.salvationarmy.org
Pierce County Sewer Assistance Program (LASA)
What it is: Water/sewer bill assistance and discount program for Pierce County sewer customers (20–30% discount on sewer charges plus additional support via volunteers).
📞 LASA Utility Assistance: (253) 581-8689 (Mon–Fri 10 AM–12 PM)
📞 Pierce County Sewer Billing: (253) 798-4020
📍 9850 64th St W, University Place, WA 98467
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) – Customer Assistance
What it is: PSE offers HELP & Bill Discount Programs that reduce energy bills for qualified low-income customers and help with past-due energy costs; local assistance is available through Pierce County Human Services and partners.
📞 PSE Customer Service/HELP: 1-888-225-5773
📞 Pierce County Agency Info Line: 1-855-798-4328
Tacoma Public Utilities – Payment Assistance & Plans
What it is: TPU offers payment arrangements, budget billing, and discount programs for low-income, disabled, or senior customers to help manage electric/water bills; referrals to utility assistance resources.
📞 Customer Service: (253) 502-8608
CEAP – Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (DSHS)
What it is: State Emergency Assistance via DSHS for water and utility bill help through income-based emergency grants — contact the Call Center for eligibility and referrals.
📞 DSHS Community Services Call Center: 877-501-2233 (ask about CEAP)
Housing:
United Way of King County – Rent Assistance & Eviction Prevention
What it does: Rental assistance and eviction prevention support for King County residents; part of the Home Base housing security program.
📞 Phone: (206) 461-3700
🌐 Website: https://www.uwkc.org/renthelp
📍 Serves all King County including South King County residents
Services: Rent payment assistance for households behind on rent; eviction prevention planning and case management.
Multi-Service Center (MSC) – Rental & Emergency Assistance (Federal Way)
What it does: One-time rent assistance, emergency utility help and housing stability services.
📞 Phone: (253) 383-1717 (message line)
📍 27614 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Services: Help with rent and utilities for eligible residents (application required).
King County 2-1-1 / Crisis Connections
What it does: Free helpline connecting residents with housing stability, shelter, eviction prevention, rental assistance referrals and more.
📞 Dial: 211 (or 800-621-4636)
🌐 Website: https://wa211.org
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (automated resources available 24/7)
Services: Referrals to housing programs, emergency shelter, utility help, relocation aid.
King County Housing Authority (KCHA)
What it does: Affordable rental housing, subsidized units, and Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers.
📞 Main: (206) 574-1190
📍 600 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188
🌐 Website: https://www.kcha.org
Services: Public housing and rental subsidy programs for low-income households (waitlists may apply).
Housing Stability Project – YWCA of King & Snohomish Counties
What it does: Grants and support to help tenants at risk of eviction maintain housing stability.
📞 YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish Counties: (206) 461-4851
Services: Financial support for tenants in danger of eviction and households experiencing homelessness.
Hopelink – Financial & Housing Support
What it does: Helps low-income residents with eviction prevention, move-in costs, rental assistance referrals, and other financial supports (including potential housing help through partner referrals).
📞 Closest Service: Call main Hopelink number (King/South King County area center)
Services: Flexible financial support to avoid homelessness, including eviction prevention & move-in costs.
St. Stephen Housing – Housing Stability & Rental Help
What it does: Short-term rental and utility assistance for households at risk of homelessness.
📞 Phone: (206) 767-6449
Services: Financial support for rent and utilities to prevent eviction (income limits apply).
City of Auburn – Human Services (Housing Support Referrals)
What it does: Funding support to local organizations and referrals for rent/utilities help; coordination with King County programs.
📞 City of Auburn Human Services: (253) 931-3010 (City Hall main)
Services: Referrals to eviction prevention and housing support resources, tenant/landlord info.
Catholic Community Services – Emergency Housing Support
What it does: Emergency financial help including limited rent assistance, eviction prevention, move-in costs and motel/shelter vouchers.
📞 Phone: (206) 328-5724
🌐 Website: https://www.ccsww.org/get-help/
Services: Emergency housing support and referrals through local nonprofit chapters.
Exodus Housing (Pierce County)
What it does: Long-term rental assistance programs for individuals/families (often supportive housing).
📞 Phone: (253) 862-6808
Services: Rental subsidies to help households transition to stable housing (contact for eligibility).
Pierce County Eviction Prevention Program
What it is: Helps low-income renters facing eviction with past-due rent and housing stability support. The program can cover back rent and current rent based on need and availability.
📞 Call Pierce County Human Services: 253-798-4636 (main line)
🌐 Apply online: housinghelp.piercerentalassistance.org
📍 Pierce County Human Services, Tacoma, WA
Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA)
What it is: Provides low-income public housing, Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers, and affordable rental programs.
📞 Main Phone: 253-620-5400
📞 Affordable Housing Info: 253-620-5427
📍 525 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
United Way of Pierce County – Access Pierce / 211 Referral
What it is: Centralized helpline connecting residents with housing resources, rent/utility assistance referrals, emergency shelter information, and other basic needs.
📞 Access Pierce: 1-800-572-HELP (4357) or 253-572-4357
📞 South Sound 211: Dial 211
Associated Ministries – Rapid Rehousing Program
What it is: Helps individuals and families move into housing quickly with case management, short-term rental assistance, and support services.
📞 Phone: 253-474-1201
📍 2023 S Fawcett Ave #200, Tacoma, WA 98402
Helping Hand House (Homeless & Housing Programs)
What it is: Provides housing support for families, including emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and connections to housing stability services.
📞 Phone: 253-848-6096
📍 2002 Center St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Exodus Housing – Subsidized Rental Assistance
What it is: Offers monthly rental assistance for eligible tenants, paying part of the rent while clients work toward self-sufficiency.
📞 Phone: 253-862-6808
🌐 (Search Exodus Housing Pierce County)
📍 Tacoma/Pierce County area (call for intake location)
St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma/Pierce County – Emergency Assistance
What it is: Provides emergency financial help including rent, utilities, and housing support referrals for Pierce County residents.
📞 Phone: 253-383-4493
📍 1620 South Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Catholic Community Services – Pierce County Housing Support
What it is: Offers affordable housing options, emergency housing assistance, and supportive services for families and individuals experiencing housing crises.
📞 Phone: 206-328-5724
📍 Tacoma/Pierce County service area
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity – Affordable Homeownership
What it is: Helps income-qualified Pierce County residents buy affordable homes through a partner building program with affordable mortgage terms.
📞 Phone: 253-627-5626
📍 608 S 21st St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Pierce County Coordinated Entry (via 2-1-1 / Shelter Access Hub)
What it is: Entry system for individuals and families experiencing homelessness seeking housing, shelter placement, rapid rehousing, or support services. Call 2-1-1 and ask for housing help, or call the Shelter Access Hub.
📞 Shelter Access Hub: 253-444-4563
📞 Pierce County 2-1-1: Dial 211
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