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Pierce County Village
- Response to Council Resolution
- What is the Community Village Model?
- Proposed Community Village Report
- About the Village
- Feasibility Report
- Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Information Requested by the Piece County Council (Resolution 2022-174)
The Pierce County Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness (CPEH), which included establishing a Community First! Village (CFV) in Pierce County, and set aside $22M, conditioned on it reviewing and approving a proposal that identified the site, provider, and funding plan. Human Services issued a NOFA to interested providers and following a competitive process, The Rescue Mission (TRM) was selected to prepare the proposal. TRM submitted the detailed Pierce County Village Proposal (Proposal) in which it identified itself as the provider and the 85 acres off of Spanaway Loop Road as the location (the Site). TRM’s Proposal also described a detailed master plan to build 285 microhomes and support buildings and provided its projected operating and capital budgets and funding sources.
After reviewing the Proposal, the Council by Resolution 2022-174 made additional requests for information of the Executive and TRM, principally regarding environmental issues related to the Site, TRM’s operations funding plan, and criteria for village residents and volunteers. The Council also asked that the village concept and several of the Council’s additional information requests be presented to the CPEH Advisory Board for its written feedback.
What is the Community Village Model?
Pierce County leaders are working to establish a planned community of microhomes, work opportunities, and onsite physical and mental health care, patterned after the stunningly successful CommunityFirst! Village near Austin, Texas. This new community would address the biggest challenge to homelessness in Pierce County: permanent housing for the chronically homeless. No homeless housing strategy is credible without addressing the chronically homeless.
We are committed to creating housing for those who are the most challenging to permanently house successfully.
Final Village Proposal Report
The Final Report and appendices include the proposed village operator, site selection, project development, financial plans, community engagement and more.
READ THE ONE-PAGER EXPLAINING THE VILLAGE INITIATIVE.
Feasibility Report
In December 2021, the County Council’s budget proviso requested two documents: a Preliminary Report analyzing the feasibility of a (Community First Village) CFV in Pierce County and a Full Proposal for the development of the project. Following a competitive process, the County selected with The Tacoma Rescue Mission to develop the feasibility study and final report.
The Feasibility Report discusses the essential elements of a CFV; its vision and mission; regulatory, zoning, and permitting requirements and was presented to the County Council at the Mon., July 22, 2022 Study SessionContact your Councilmember today and express support for the village by clicking here.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Have questions about this village?
- View the frequently asked questions
- Read the one-pager about the Village.
- Email [email protected]
MILESTONES
The following are key milestones in the process of establishing a CFV in Pierce County.
- December 2021
Council approves $22M funding for CFV - April 27, 2022
The Rescue Mission selected to provide feasibility report and full proposal. - June 31, 2022
Feasibility Report completed. - February/March 2023
Council expected to consider Resolution to approve. - 2023-24
Permitting and Construction - July 1, 2024
Occupancy of Completed Units
January 3, 2023
In winter 2022, the County launched a public engagement opportunity on the Shared Housing Village Zoning Update. The original proposal amended the zoning code to allow for shared housing villages in the Residential Resource (RR) zone of the Parkland-Spanaway-Midland community plan area through a conditional use permit.
Following a public hearing, on January 10, 2023, the Pierce County Planning Commission recommended the proposal for Parkland-Spanaway-Midland community plan area but expanded that allowance to other RR zoned lands found in the Frederickson, Mid-County and South Hill community plans.
Review the residential code use updates and provide feedback here: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/7643/Residential-Use-Code-Updates.
The site for the village has approximately 27 buildable acres (of 85.73 acres total). It is located off Spanaway Loop Road with access from 176th Street. Along the northern boundary, there are approximately 15 residences and several wetlands; along the eastern boundary there is a vacant lot and Spanaway Loop Road; and along the southern and western boundaries is Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The site will accommodate 285 microhomes, support buildings, community gathering spaces, microenterprises, and necessary healthcare and case management services.
COUNTY BUDGET
The County set aside $22 million for its own community village to help cover the costs of land acquisition, infrastructure, and pre-design, and assumes substantial private and other funding for the construction of microhomes and other structures. The final proposal will be submitted by Resolution for the approval and release of the $22 million set aside by the Council