Emergency Homeless Shelter Plan Approved By Tacoma City Council

TACOMA, WA — At a public hearing Tuesday night, Tacoma City Council approved a plan to build emergency "micro-shelters" in the city's Hilltop neighborhood. City officials said the proposal was in response to growing concerns over a homeless encampment at People's Park. In October, the Tacoma City Council voted 8-1 to ban all walled structures, including tents, from metro parks. That rule goes into effect on December 1.

The temporary shelters will be built at 802 Martin Luther King Jr. Way and paid for out of the city's general fund. The property will offer portable restrooms, garbage service, drinking water, and 24-hour security.

The News Tribune reports work could begin at the site as soon as Wednesday and the shelters may be operational by mid-December.

In a news release Tuesday night, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Victoria Woodards called the project a promising step.

“I am encouraged by the efforts City staff have made to meet the commitments made at the October 1 City Council meeting before amendments to the daytime park structure regulations take effect on December 1,” Mayor Woodards said. “Specifically, staff have identified a solution that addresses the daytime shelter concerns by adding overnight shelter capacity that can be offered to unhoused residents at People’s Park.”

Several community members arrived to speak at Tuesday's hearing, with some raising concerns over the location, and others saying the proposal does not do enough to help those living on the streets. At times tensions flared in council chambers, and video posted by reporters on social media showed some heated exchanges, yelling, and clapping before the council called a recess and closed public comment.