Human Services

The City of Renton serves as a planner, facilitator, and funder for support systems that help people through economic and personal crises and provide low and moderate income persons with opportunities to succeed.

The Human Services Division contracts with non-profit agencies to deliver services to low and moderate income households. The division works with City of Renton departments and divisions to improve the quality of life for city residents.

Human Services
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
425-430-6650
HumanServices@rentonwa.gov

Please see the 2024 Human Services Resource Guide(PDF, 910KB)  for agencies that offer the services you need.

City of Renton Human Services funds multiple agencies that can help with daily necessities. Creation of a list of each agency and the resources they offer is currently in progress and will be available here when finished.

• For more state-wide resources, call 2-1-1.
• For thoughts of suicide, mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or emotional distress, call 9-8-8.

For questions regarding City of Renton Human Services, please email humanservices@rentonwa.gov or call 425-430-6600.

The Housing Repair Assistance Program (HRAP) provides minor repairs to homes of eligible Renton residents. The focus of the repairs is to improve the environmental health and safety of residents homes in the City of Renton. For eligibility requirements, application process, and services provided, please see below.

Eligibility requirements

• You must own the home listed in the application and have lived at this address for at least the last 12 months, and do not plan to move from that residence in the following 12 months
• Home must be within the Renton City limits and have a Renton address.
• Total household income is at or below the amount shown below for your household size:
  
  

  Household Size	Maximum Income
  1	$77,700
  2	$88,800
  3	$99,900
  4	$110,950
  5	$119,850
  6	$137,600
  7	$146,500
  8	$146,500

The City of Renton partners with many agencies to serve our unhoused and vulnerable residents. Here are some ways we help our community:

• FD Cares: The Fire Department Community Assistance, Referrals and Education Services program (FD CARES) provides those who are unhoused with mental health resources. The team includes a social worker and a nurse who travel the area addressing those facing mental health issues, or needing other assistance. This program is through Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority and helps address medical and crisis calls before they become a medical emergency. They also assist with navigating the social service network and provide advocacy with insurance and other health care professionals.
• Peer Kent at Renton Library: A Peer Services Specialist helps those impacted by addiction, mental health, or other crisis by connecting people to community resources and services they need, including shelter, housing, education, food, and mental health referrals. Peers are individuals with lived experiences on a path to recovery and can draw on their experiences to help individuals reach wellness goals. The current Peer Kent hours at the Renton Library at 100 Mills Ave. S are:
  • Tuesdays/Wednesdays: 12-8 p.m.
  •  Thursdays/Fridays: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  •  Saturdays: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
•  Renton Library Resource Days: The Renton Library also offers a resource day the third Thursday of each month from 1PM-4PM Attendees are able to directly connect with many local agencies, and includes free food, hygiene kits, free haircuts, and free phones.
•  Renton Community Court Virtual Resource Center: The Renton Court holds a virtual resource center every Thursday from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. for community court clients as well as members of the public that need assistance.
•  Salvation Army Street Level Team: The Street Level Team assists those living in their cars. Their outreach vans are mobile offices so they can serve people right where they meet them.
•  Renton School District: The federal McKinney Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act ensures enrollment and education stability for homeless children and youth. It includes free transportation to and from school, free meals, assistance with school fees, school supplies, and referrals to social services. The Renton School District has a designated McKinney Vento Liaison to help Renton's homeless youth.
•  Emergency Severe Cold Weather Overnight Shelter: The City of Renton activates an overnight shelter in times of severe cold weather. Activations typically occur when the daily high temperature is forecasted to be 35 degrees or below and the daily low temperature is forecasted to be 30 degrees or below for one or more days. The city partners with REACH to provide staffing for the overnight shelter at St. Anthony’s Parish, 501 S. 4th St. The Overnight Severe Weather Shelter, when activated, includes the following:
  • Hours: 8 p.m. - 7 a.m.
  • Maximum capacity of 40
  • Drop-ins are welcome
  • Separate area for men, women, and families
  • Snacks/food/warm beverages will be provided
  • Mats and blankets will be provided
• Warming/Cooling Centers: During extreme weather conditions (hot or cold), the Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy, can be activated as a center for those in need to escape the harsh conditions, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
•  For other Severe Weather Shelters in King County, visit King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA) at Severe Weather Response - KCRHA

Other city programs for lower income residents

• Renton Housing Repair Assistance Program: This program provides free minor home repairs to eligible Renton homeowners. Repairs include electrical, plumbing, roofing, ADA improvements, and others to improve health and safety.
• King County Housing Repair Program: King County provides larger home repairs up to $25,000 at 0% interest to lower income Renton homeowners. For more information, call 206-263-9095.
•  Reduced Utility Tax: The City of Renton offers reduced rates for water, wastewater, surface water and garbage for low-income seniors and low-income disabled residents.
•  Gift of Play Scholarships: Recreation scholarships are available to lower income youth and seniors so they may enjoy Renton’s recreations programs at no charge.
•  Human Services Application Process: Over $800,000 in city general funds is allocated annually for agencies as part of the Human Services Funders Collaborative (HSFC) to serve Renton’s vulnerable population. The next application process for 2025-2026 funding occurs this spring with applications due April 8, 2024.

Get immediate assistance

• 911 – Emergency Response: Call 911 for emergencies and situations requiring immediate intervention, ensuring public safety and swift assistance during critical incidents.
• 211 – Information and Referral Services: 211 connects individuals to vital health and human services and guides them to the most appropriate assistance that are typically the underlying cause of crisis
•  988 – Mental Health Crisis Support: 988 is the new number for mental health crisis calls, providing immediate access to trained professionals offering crucial support during challenging times.

Stay connected to the city

• Human Services Line: The City of Renton also has a limited human services help line at 425-430-6650 to assist with local resources and referrals.
• Renton Responds: For general non-emergency requests, please contact Renton Responds by submitting a request online.

Each year, the City of Renton allocates funding to agencies to provide social services and assistance to Renton residents.  The City of Renton is member of the Human Services Funding Collaborative with 16 other North, East, and South King County cities who join together for a common application process every other year.  The application process is through the Share1App portal hosted by the City of Redmond:  Share 1 App | Redmond, WA.  The Renton Human Services Advisory Committee reviews Renton applications and makes funding recommendations to the Council/Mayor.  

The next application cycle will be for 2027-2028 funding with applications due spring 2026. To receive notices about upcoming application cycles and dates, please email:  share1appquestions@gmail.com.

To receive notifications about the application process, please emailshare1appquestions@gmail.com.

Requirements for consideration

The City of Renton recognizes the need to support programs that provide a broad array of human services to our community.  Programs that demonstrate strong performance serving Renton residents, with a location in Renton will be viewed most favorably. Criteria for the 2025-2026 funding round was as follows:

1. Address one of the Renton human services funding priorities above.
2. Submit a complete application, including all attachments; No late or incomplete applications will be accepted or reviewed. 
3. Request a minimum of $15,000 per program.
4. Meet minimum insurance requirements if awarded funds.
5. Execute a contract with the City and be able to accept reimbursement for funds.
6. Regularly track and submit required reports regarding services, demographics, and outcomes.

Grant funding process:

• Apply: Every two years agencies apply via the Share1App.
• Review: Applications are reviewed by the City of Renton's Human Services Advisory Committee. After an extensive review, rating recommendations of amounts to be awarded to specific applicants are recommended to Council/Mayor for approval.
•  Contract: Two-year contracts are executed by the City and funded agency.
•  Report: Quarterly invoicing and program impact are required. Agencies provide number of Renton residents served, service units provided, and demographics of clients served.

Renton's six priority areas for funding:

To be considered for Renton funding, agencies must meet the following criteria:

• Address one of Renton's funding priorities mentioned above.
• Submit a complete application, including all attachments. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted or reviewed.
• Meet the minimum insurance requirements if awarded funds.
• Execute a contract with the city and be able to accept reimbursement for funds.
• Regularly track and submit required reports concerning services, outcomes, and demographics.

Agencies will be notified of funding recommendations in the fall of 2024, with the fiscal and program year commencing on January 1, 2025.

2025-2026 Human Services funding allocations

Renton had $812,000 available annually for 2025-2026 agency programs serving Renton residents, awarding funding to 46 programs.  Over 100 applications were received requesting over $4 million. 

The Human Services Advisory Committee is a diverse group of Renton residents who recognizes community assets, anticipates need, and advises the mayor, city council, and city staff on human services issues of concern to Renton residents.