News Flash

Medical Respite Shelter

A plan for $4.6M of HOME-ARPA capital funding for purchase of a facility to run a 50 bed Medical Respite homeless shelter has completed the public outreach phase and was submitted to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval. After approval, funding will be made available through a competitive process.

State Right of Way Funding

The State Department of Commerce is releasing around $30M for Pierce County projects that move people from the state right of way into improved living conditions with a focus on permanent housing. The County and municipal partners are developing plans to best direct this funding in support of the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness.

Homeless Prevention Eligibility Criteria

As homeless prevention funding shifts in January of 2023 to a new State funding stream, work is underway to develop eligibility and prioritization criteria to ensure the resources are used most effectively. Delays in state funding criteria have delayed this work, postponing completion until September 2022.

Closing the Funding Gap

Work is underway on the plan to close the homeless system funding gap. Options are due to the County Council in October, 2022. Public engagement is planned for August and September.

Qualitative Assessment of the Homeless System

Initial conversations are underway with the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness Advisory Board, the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, and the Continuum of Care to develop an assessment methodology with implementation in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023.

Homeless Programs Updates

• Recently awarded $200,000 501 Commons for the Capacity Building RFP and $4M to Share and Care House to extend their HEN program.
• There is a $20,000 NOFA out for inclement weather..  
• A $750,000 RFP for pallet shelters will be out next week on the Human Services Solicitations and Bids webpage. 

Pierce County Initiative

The Pierce County Executive, Council, and a number of community leaders are working to establish a planned community of microhomes, work opportunities, and onsite mental health care, patterned after the stunningly successful Community First Village near Austin, Texas, to address chronic homelessness. The following are key milestones in the process of establishing a similar community in Pierce County:

• April 2022 - The Rescue Mission selected to provide feasibility report and full proposal.
• June 2022 - Feasibility report completed.
• October 2022 - Full proposal due to County for Council funding approval.
• 2023-2024 - Permitting and construction
• July 2024 - Occupancy of completed units

Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness at www.piercecountywa.gov/HomelessPlan