TACOMA – The housing challenges in Pierce County go beyond the increased price to buy a home. Learn about housing affordability issues, housing justice and how to help at the Pierce County Library System’s Pierce County Conversations. The free series of discussions covers how to find resources, become a volunteer or advocate, form a strategy for housing justice and more.
“Throughout the county people have told us they want to connect with their neighbors and believe the Library System should be a place to get and share information, learn various viewpoints, and discuss community issues. Pierce County Conversations provides that neutral forum,” said the Library System’s Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “Affordable housing and access to housing is a serious issue in our county. This series focuses on getting information and discerning answers to be a part of the solution.”
Listen and join in the following free events:
Comprehensive Life Resources
Learn how cities with limited resources access Comprehensive Life Resources and get help for people experiencing homelessness who need services for addiction, housing and mental health issues.
Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m.
Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma
Housing Justice Strategy Conversation
Join in a conversation with community members, organizers and advocates about how to make housing affordability and justice a reality in Pierce County. Panelists include members of Tacoma Tenants Organizing Committee, Omari Amili, author of Transforming Society’s Failure: The Omari Amili Story and Chanel Rhymes, Washington Supreme Court Minority and Justice Commission.
Saturday, March 30, 2 p.m.
Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W.
Connect—Resources Fair
Connect with local help centers for resources related to medical services, employment, financial assistance, transportation and more. South Sound Military and Communities Partnership will provide aid kits.
Saturday, April 20, 2-4 p.m.
Tillicum Pierce County Library, 14916 Washington Ave., Lakewood
Thanks to the Pierce County Library Foundation for sponsoring Pierce County Conversations.
Learn more and find additional events at conversations.pcls.us.
John Arbeeny says
Beware of those “social justice warriors” who throw around words like “fair” or “justice” when applied to any issue, especially “housing”. These words tend to be used by people who want government to coerce someone to do something that is not in their best interest. Often those who use these words have less interest in fixing a problem than exercising power over others regardless of the issue. These words are often used to give a cache of respectability while at the same time giving cover to ideas that would otherwise be rejected by citizens as onerous. This is the stuff of socialism: private ownership of the means of production which are controlled by government. I’ve lived in a city with “fair” and “just” housing policies. New York City which instituted rent control during WW2 which remains in effect to this day and has done less for housing affordability and more for housing deterioration than anything else. Control language to control the debate. Call this what it is; a proposed government taking of private property that is neither “fair” or “justice”.