Pierce County executive opposes new homeless shelter ordinance

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Hours after the Pierce County Council approved another homeless shelter option, the county executive said he won’t accept it.

This is because there has been heated pushback from neighbors who have made it clear they do not want tent camps or other temporary shelters in their neighbourhood.

Still, people who live in places like the tiny hometown of 6th and Orchard told KOMO News it’s been a lifesaver and support the proposal to get more of them.

“I have 5 kids and since we’ve been here we haven’t been able to find a place because you have to pay three times the rent and we just can’t afford it,” said resident Desiree Thiery.

Thiery’s family has lived in Tacoma Hometown, run by LIHI, since moving from Arizona in July, and they are excited to move into permanent housing next week, she said.

“They’re a big help. We weren’t on our feet and they’re helping us,” Thiery’s son told KOMO News.

LIHI’s John Brown explained it’s a way the county can provide housing amid a housing crisis.

“We have people that are injured, injured on the street, the weather is going to get worse,” Brown explained. “We want to replicate this in Spanaway and other sites and other places.”

RELATED: Pierce County at odds over how to allocate $2.5 million in funding to fight homelessness

The county came close to getting more such sites after a council vote Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing tent camps and other “managed tiny house communities,” such as tiny house villages and county pallet shelters on land provided by non-profit organizations. churches and others. But, it was quickly dismissed by Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards says her city has successful models of these temporary spaces, and Tacoma needs some relief because it receives about 80 percent of the county’s shelter recommendations.

“Then it comes back to the city, continuing to provide this type of housing,” said Mayor Woodards.

SEE ALSO: Traction builds for regional approach to the homelessness in Pierce County

Executive Dammeier says that his decision stems from the fact that he does not want tent camps to appear in the districts of the county and without the input of the public.

“There’s a budget being considered, and I think there are better ways to invest that money that will have better outcomes for the chronically homeless and our taxpayers,” he said.

Councilwoman Jani Hitchen voted in favor of the ordinance and responded that the county did not have time to wait.

“It’s not something that’s going to be incredibly expensive. It’s temporary as we build more affordable housing,” Hitchen said.

Dammeier added that he wants the council to pass his budget proposal to redirect the stability site funding to the Tacoma Housing Authority’s Aviva Crossing Project and other programs that he says are more cost-effective and longer-term. Those budget discussions will take place next week.