Help from United Way 211 in Tacoma and Pierce County.
The 211 helpline in Tacoma and Pierce County plays a large role than in helping people access housing, homelessness, and basic-needs systems. Residents across Tacoma and Pierce County depend on it for help with rent, housing, utilities, food, health care, transportation, employment and family services It is operated locally by United Way of Pierce County through South Sound 211 and the Access Pierce initiative with more details on programs from the Pierce County 211 below.
Housing resources can be located using 211
What makes 211 in Tacoma and Pierce County different is the degree to which it is integrated into the region’s homelessness response and eviction prevention systems. Unlike many areas where 211 simply maintains a list of agencies, Pierce County has formalized the helpline as a mandatory access point for people who need housing help. When a household is experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home, the county directs them to call 211 to begin the Coordinated Entry process.
- This is reflected in the practices of agencies across the region. United Way specialists conduct diversion screenings, schedule appointments and gather the information needed for county housing programs. This centralized role gives Pierce County residents a clearer, more standardized pathway into services and reduces the guesswork that comes from trying to contact multiple agencies separately.
Shelter access is another area where Pierce County’s 211 system plays a distinctive role. The unhoused in Tacoma WA can call 211 in order to locate available shelter beds or to access the family shelter system, including a shelter for homeless parents with kids. This arrangement ensures that shelter access is coordinated instead of scattered and helps the county track demand and capacity. It also allows the diversion screening process to occur early, which sometimes helps a household avoid entering the shelter system entirely.
The 211 system in Pierce County is connected to eviction prevention efforts more tightly than in many other regions. Local rent assistance programs in Pierce County, including those operated by the county and by the City of Tacoma when funding is available, regularly direct residents back to 211 or the Access Pierce team as a starting point.
- United Way staff help callers determine which rent support programs fit their situation and guide them through eligibility rules that may differ between city and county programs. This integration also allows the navigation team to identify when a household may need legal help, budget counseling or additional services to prevent future instability.
Other ways to get help from United Way 211 in Pierce County
The region also stands out because of Access Pierce (website: https://www.uwpc.org/Get-help-now-overview), which is a United Way resource navigation program built around the 211 system. The model is designed to go beyond simple referral work. Navigators provide ongoing help so callers are not left to manage complicated housing or social service processes alone. Someone who contacts 211 for utility disconnection notices, unpaid rent, lack of food or a need for shelter may receive continued support from a navigator who follows the case, checks appointment outcomes and helps with paperwork. This follow-through is not common in other counties where 211 may only supply a phone number or website.
South Sound 211, which of course covers Pierce County, maintains a large, locally updated resource directory rather than relying solely on statewide information. Staff continuously work with churches, food banks, health clinics, shelters, community action agencies and local nonprofits to update hours of operation, documentation requirements and service availability. As there are a number of resources in the area, including food pantries and soup kitchens that are part of the database.
- Pierce County’s local call center maintains a more granular set of details for Tacoma and surrounding communities. This includes information on short-term motel vouchers offered by certain agencies when funding allows, seasonal cold-weather shelter options that change from year to year and targeted utility assistance programs operated by local partners.
Mental health and substance use support through 211 is also shaped by Pierce County’s unique system. While 988 serves as the dedicated crisis line, South Sound 211 assists residents who need non-crisis mental health help by referring them to local clinics, counseling centers and peer support programs. The staff are familiar with the behavioral health landscape in Tacoma, which includes programs run through MultiCare, Catholic Community Services in Tacoma and community health centers. The local knowledge helps callers avoid long waits by directing them to organizations currently accepting new participants.
Contact information
Calling 211 or contacting Access Pierce connects residents not only to a list of phone numbers but to local navigators who help them move through complex systems and follow up to ensure that they are successfully linked to the help they need. The helpline in Pierce County can be reached at (253) 272-4263 or 253-572-4357. Referrals can be provided to the resources above as well as many other services.
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