Within Pierce County, coordination among homeless service providers occurs primarily through CE for housing assistance. Households experiencing a housing crisis in Pierce County are directed to use CE. Exceptions are made for households at Emergency Shelters (that offer same-day entry). As noted above, Shelter providers that offer same-day entry may screen and serve households before they have gone through CE. However, Shelter providers must partner with CE to ensure participants have access to services that can quickly re-stabilize their housing situation.

Eligibility for Emergency Shelter may be evaluated by individual providers as long as it is in accordance with ESG guidelines (see 24 CFR 576.401). Households must meet the following conditions:

1. Households must be experiencing homelessness, in accordance with Category 1 or Category 4 of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Homelessness Definition as defined by HUD under 24 CFR Part 5781.

2. Households must meet an Income Standard. Eligibility varies dependent on fund source.