DeSoto Helping Hands
Emergency Housing & Basic Needs Assistance Program

The DeSoto Helping Hands Program provides short-term financial assistance to eligible residents of the City of DeSoto who are experiencing financial hardship due to job disruption or income loss.
Administered by Found A Way, this program supports housing stability and basic needs while connecting households to additional resources that promote long-term self-sufficiency.

Program Assistance

Eligible households may receive assistance for:
               Rental assistance
               Mortgage assistance  
               Utility assistance
               Emergency food assistance
All assistance is temporary, subject to eligibility verification, and dependent upon available funding.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

            Must be a current resident of the City of DeSoto
             Must occupy the residence as a primary residence
             Must demonstrate financial hardship
             Must provide official furlough documentation or proof of job disruption 
             Must meet City-established income and eligibility guidelines
             Must submit all required documentation for verification

Incomplete applications or applications without required furlough documentation will not be reviewed.
Submission of an application does not guarantee assistance.

Required Documentation

Applicants must upload clear and complete copies of the following:

             Government-issued photo identification
             Proof of DeSoto residency
             Official furlough documentation or employer-issued notice of work disruption
             Current lease agreement or mortgage statement
             Proof of household income (if applicable)
             Utility bill (if requesting utility assistance)
             Any additional documentation requested during the review process

*All documentation is securely stored and reviewed in accordance with City record retention and audit requirements.*

Program Process

             Application submission (online or approved paper option)
             Eligibility and documentation verification
             Approval or denial determination based on City criteria
             Payment issued directly to landlords, mortgage companies, or utility providers

Payments are never issued directly to applicants.

Program Integrity & Accountability

Found A Way administers the DeSoto Helping Hands Program in full compliance with City of DeSoto guidelines, including income verification, documentation standards, fraud prevention, and audit readiness. All eligibility determinations and payments are fully documented and subject to review