As Eviction Moratorium Looms, Pierce County Offers Rental Aid

TACOMA, WA — Pierce County Human Services wants renters who are behind on their rent to know that help is available, but you'll want to claim it sooner, rather than later.

According to a recent county-by-county analysis by Surgo Ventures, an estimated 14,248 (11.6 percent) of Pierce County rental households are in danger of eviction. Those households collectively owed $66,334,947 in back rent as of early August, according to Surgo Ventures' estimates, for an average of $4,695 each.

That's a good chunk of change, especially for people who are struggling to stay afloat as it is. Fortunately, there are ways to find help. One, is through the county's rental assistance program, which uses funds from the US Department of the Treasury and WA State Dept. of Commerce to help people who are struggling to pay rent.

According to organizers, all residents need to qualify is to live in Pierce County, have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have earned less than 80 percent of Area Median Income. For an individual, that's under $50,900 per year. For a family of four, it's $72,650. Residents who make even less, under 50 percent of the AMI, will be given priority treatment.

If that's you or someone you know, you can apply online for rental or utility assistance. You can also attend an in-person event next Thursday at the Parkland/Spanaway Library, where the County's Rental Assistance Team will walk renters through the application process.

Renters in need of assistance should submit applications ASAP. Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday extended the state's eviction moratorium "bridge" through the end of October to give counties more time to disseminate rental assistance funding through programs like these, but when that time is up, it's unlikely the moratorium will be extended again.

Learn more: Inslee Extends Eviction Moratorium 'Bridge' Through October