CM Lewis releases "It Takes a Village" plan to rapidly expand tiny houses villages
Seattle City Councilmember Andrew Lewis is spearheading a plan to get homeless residents of Seattle quickly into tiny houses by adding 12 more villages. Watch CM Lewis' press conference. Below are highlights of the plan. View the whole plan.

Tacoma Safe Shelter Summit II
The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness held the virtual Safe Shelter Summit II: Taking Action on Monday, January 25, 2021.
Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards speaking virtually at the summit

Elected officials, including Pierce County Executive Dammeier, were joined by many nonprofit organizations who made commitments a to address homelessness.

Tacoma Mayor Woodards presented these commitments from the City of Tacoma:

  • Shelter Expansion: The City is moving forward with opening of a warming center that will serve 25 individuals at a time and a shelter for 35 individuals. The City remains committed to the expansion of shelter and will continue to look for additional opportunities for managed sites.
  • Hygiene Stations: The City is open and ready to explore options for hygiene stations where there is a provider who is willing and able to step forward with a proposal for managed locations.
  • On Encampment Removal: The City will continue to follow CDC guidance with regards to encampment removal and makes every effort not to disperse individuals in encampments unless there is an imminent life/safety threat or public need for that removal. 
  • Prioritizing Health: The City is exploring expansion of the needle exchange programming at encampments with the Health Department. 
  • FEMA Funding: The City will continue to explore ways to maximize the use of federal funds to address the needs of our homeless neighbors and monitor for additional changes under the new administration.

At the summit, LIHI committed to building as many tiny house villages across Pierce County as funding allows. Said Sharon Lee, "We look forward to working with new community, local government, business, and nonprofit partners in Tacoma and Pierce county. Heated and insulated Tiny Houses provide stability, safety and a sense of community for families and individuals during the homelessness crisis."

LIHI operates two tiny house villages in Pierce County, one off McKinley in East Tacoma (46 tiny houses) and the brand new tiny house village at 6th & Orchard (40 tiny houses). With the new village proposed on Puyallup Tribal property with 25 tiny houses, we will have 101 tiny houses in Tacoma. 

Maureen Howard, Senior Policy Analyst for the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness expressed her delight that the Summit went so well: β€œThe Coalition is pleased to have such broad participation from so many partners for the commitments that are in place or in process.”
Housing for All!

Sharon Lee
Executive Director