Located in Gig Harbor, Harbor Hope Center has become a beacon of hope for young people

experiencing homelessness across Pierce County. Incorporated in 2019 with a vision to break the cycle of homelessness among Washington’s youth and young adults, the organization is growing from a grassroots effort into a trusted regional leader, providing safe housing, wraparound services, and new opportunities for youth and young adults.

Meeting the Need in Gig Harbor and the Peninsula

In Gig Harbor and the surrounding Peninsula, Harbor Hope Center operates two emergency

shelters specifically designed for youth ages 18–24 who are facing homelessness. These shelters

offer up to 90 days of safe, stable housing while providing daily case management, mentoring,

and access to essentials such as food, clothing, and healthcare connections. But Harbor Hope

Center is more than just a roof—it is a pathway forward.

The numbers speak volumes. Eighty-one percent of Harbor Hope Center’s clients exit into

permanent housing, a success rate well above national averages for youth homelessness

programs. Through individualized support, youth are also connected with education, job training,

mental health counseling, and life-skills classes that prepare them for long-term independence.

Expanding into Tacoma

Recognizing the growing need beyond Gig Harbor, Harbor Hope Center has recently expanded into Tacoma with two new facilities. The first is a transitional housing program, offering young adults up to 24 months of stability and support in a structured environment. Residents share community living spaces while receiving weekly case management, mentoring, and classes in budgeting, job readiness, and emotional wellness.

The second Tacoma facility focuses on rapid rehousing, a program designed to quickly move

youth out of homelessness and into apartments of their own. With financial assistance and

supportive case management, rapid rehousing helps young people avoid long-term shelter stays

and transition directly into sustainable housing solutions.

Together, these new programs complement Harbor Hope Center’s existing emergency shelters, creating a full continuum of care from crisis intervention to long-term stability.

A Federal Vote of Confidence

Harbor Hope Center’s innovative approach recently earned national recognition. In September, the organization was selected as one of just six recipients of Youth Homelessness

Demonstration Program (YHDP) funding in Pierce County. Administered by Pierce County

Human Services in partnership with the Youth Action Board (YAB), the program awarded more

than $3 million across the region. Harbor Hope Center is using its share of the funding provided

by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to launch its two new

Tacoma facilities.

This award is more than just financial support; it is a strong affirmation of Harbor Hope Center’s

vision and impact. The YHDP grant recognizes organizations that are reshaping how

communities respond to youth homelessness, emphasizing prevention, rapid connections to

housing, and youth-driven solutions.

Stories of Transformation

Behind the numbers are powerful human stories. Harbor Hope Center has helped young adults

secure employment, reunite with family, earn their drivers' licenses, and even enroll in college.

One young resident, after months of living in a car, was able to find stability through the

emergency shelter program and is now thriving in permanent housing. Another youth, who had

cycled through multiple foster placements, found belonging and mentorship that helped them

transition successfully into adulthood.

These stories represent the ripple effect Harbor Hope Center strives to create: not just shelter,

but transformation.

A Hand Up, Not a Handout

The heart of Harbor Hope Center’s work is summed up in its guiding principle: offering a hand up, not a handout. Every youth is treated with dignity, every program is designed for

empowerment, and every success is shared with the community that makes it possible.

From its emergency shelters in Gig Harbor to its new facilities in Tacoma, Harbor Hope Center is

building more than housing—it is building futures. With strong community partnerships,

dedicated volunteers, and the support of funders like HUD, the organization is poised to expand

its impact even further in the years ahead.

For residents of Canterwood and beyond, Harbor Hope Center’s mission is an invitation to be

part of something bigger: creating a community where every young person has the chance not just to survive, but to thrive.