The Tacoma City Council has adopted a resolution of intent – brought forward by District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh with co-sponsors Mayor Anders Ibsen and District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge – committing the City to work with other Pierce County governments on a Unified Regional Approach (URA) to reduce homelessness.
“Our neighbors in Tacoma and across Pierce County deserve access to services and shelter that keep them warm and put them on a path to permanent housing,” said Mayor Ibsen. “The Unified Regional Approach brings together Pierce County governments and agencies that have, for too long, worked in silos.”
“Tacoma has been committed to addressing homelessness for years, but we know this challenge doesn’t stop at city boundaries,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell. “I’m excited to see Tacoma partnering with the County and other jurisdictions to create a more coordinated regional approach. Working together allows us to make the most of the resources we have and better serve people throughout our community. I’m glad to see everyone stepping up and taking part in the solution.”
“I’m encouraged that we’re reaching a point where more communities across Pierce County are coming together around a unified approach to homelessness,” said District 1 Council Member John Hines. “After years of working on homelessness policy, one thing has always been clear to me: this is a regional challenge that does not stop at the borders of Tacoma or any other individual city, and we will be more effective when we work together. This resolution is only the beginning, but it gives us an opportunity to build a more coordinated, accountable, and effective regional response that helps people move out of homelessness and into greater stability.”
“Pierce County has demonstrated real leadership by investing in a unified regional approach to addressing homelessness and bringing cities together around a shared vision,” said Council Member Rumbaugh. “Rather than asking each jurisdiction to solve this challenge on its own, the County committed resources, convened partners from across Pierce County, and created a process where every city has a voice in shaping the path forward. I am incredibly proud Tacoma has agreed to this collaboration, and I look forward to more cities joining us in this endeavor as we move forward.”
“While I’m proud of how Tacoma has stepped up to tackle this challenge in a myriad of ways over the years, the truth is we can’t do it alone,” said Council Member Sadalge. “This resolution is more than a statement of intent. Every jurisdiction that has adopted a resolution is committed to specific actions to make additional progress on addressing homelessness. Collaborating with willing jurisdictions across Pierce County allows us to serve our unhoused neighbors more effectively, efficiently, and compassionately.”
The resolution directs City staff to work with other governments across Pierce County to develop an interlocal agreement (ILA). While an ILA is in development, the resolution continues the City’s work to:
- Develop or update data collection requirements for homeless service providers,
- Develop or update a procedure to connect residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to resources (e.g. housing, shelter, rental assistance),
- Develop or update a policy to connect homeless residents to resources during inclement weather events (e.g. extreme heat and cold) and identify locations that may serve as inclement weather shelter, and
- Support the establishment or expansion of at least one homeless intervention.
More information on the URA is available at unifiedregionalapproach.com.