Bridging the Gap in Pierce County

Since 1926, it has been our mission to help our neighbors in need in Tacoma, Pierce County. Our Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program is here to support those facing an immediate financial crisis on a case-by-case basis. Discover how this program works to bridge the gap in Pierce County.  

Barriers in Tacoma, WA 

At St. Vincent de Paul, we are all too aware of the financial burdens of individuals and families in Pierce County. According to the 2020 Census, it is estimated that 13.8% of Tacoma residents are living in poverty. The high cost of living combined with additional difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic has hindered even more of our neighbors in Pierce County. When living paycheck to paycheck or if recently laid-off, the difference between being housed or homeless could begin as easily as the inability to pay a utility bill or having to cover the cost of an unexpected expense. 

About our Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program   

St. Vinnie’s Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program helps people struggling to pay for a variety of immediate basic needs, such as rent, utilities, food and gas. How we help our neighbors in need varies depending on where the most support is needed. The type of support we provide is broken into three categories, Goods, Services and In-Kind. 

How it Works 

What makes this program so accessible is its low-barrier entry. To receive help, we require any form of I.D. and information about what kind of services are in need. The intake of requests comes from emailing our Helpline or contacting one of our local St. Vincent de Paul Partner Parishes. These parishes consist of compassionate volunteers from Catholic churches located throughout Pierce County and are able to assist those in need that reside in their zip code. From there we assess our neighbor’s needs and provide assistance in-house or refer them to other nonprofits. 

Community Impact 

In 2021, St. Vinnie's Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program helped more than 12,225 people AND awarded more than $686,900 in direct financial assistance. Here’s how we helped our neighbors in need last year:  

How You Can Help 

Your generous donations can pave the way to helping more of our neighbors in need in Tacoma, Pierce County. Whether it’s $10, $100 or $1,000, you can help us as we work to bridge the gap. Please consider donating to St. Vinnies today!