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Project Update Presentation
Since 2006 the City of Tacoma has been addressing the increasing problems associated with homeless encampments, which are unsafe, unsanitary open spaces found throughout the City using the Housing First model. This model is identified as an innovative solution to eliminating homeless encampments in Tacoma in a safe, efficient and humane manner. More on Housing First
Currently Greater Lakes Mental Health Care and the MDC - Making a Difference in Community are funded partners to administer the program. Both agencies have been very successful with providing a high level of services, and both programs are at full capacity.
Another important piece of the equation is the encampment clean-up and mobilization. Once the individuals have moved on from the encampment location the encampments are then cleaned and encampment residents are not allowed to return. More on the encampment clean-up process
Building partnerships has been vital to our success. We currently collaborate with a wide range of groups including: Tacoma Police, Tacoma Rail, Community Based Services, Public Works, Streets and Grounds, Urban Planning, CPTED, Finance, Legal, Metro Parks, Safe Streets, Green Tacoma and many others. We also rely on our established relationships with community organizations that specialize in services needed by many Housing First residents.
Over 130 of the City’s hardest to serve, chronic, disabled, and visible homeless individuals are now living in permanent housing, but there is still a lot of work to do. In Tacoma it is estimated there are over 200 chronic homeless individuals visibly living on the streets and in encampments.
Homeless-Encampment Hotline: (253) 830-6500.
For more information about the Housing First Encampment Elimination Program, please contact Colin DeForrest, Homeless Services Manager at (253) 591-2008 or by email at cdeforrest@cityoftacoma.org.
Human Rights and Human Services Department
747 Market Street, Room 836, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5151 (voice) | hrhs@cityoftacoma.org | 253-591-5050 (fax) | 253-591-5153 (TTY)
People with hearing or speech impairments may contact us through Washington Relay Services 1-800-833-6388 (TTY or ASCII); 1-800-833-6386 (VCO); or 1-877-833-6341 (STS)