Associated Ministries announcement.
Two of the most significant initiatives that will positively impact affordable housing and homelessness in Pierce County were both passed by the Pierce County Council on March 21. After a packed, hours-long public hearing, the Pierce County Council approved an ordinance levying an additional 1/10 of 1% sales tax to fund housing and related services. The new tax means that just an additional penny will be collected on every $10 purchase, but it is expected to bring in more than $20 million in new revenue annually. Half of this new funding will support housing projects serving residents whose income is between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Thirty percent of the new funding will support projects serving residents whose income is at or below 30% of the area’s median income, and 20% of the new funds will go to housing-related services and behavioral health treatment facilities and related programs.
Then after three more hours of discussion and public hearings at that same meeting, the County Council also approved a zoning ordinance and funding for a 285-unit micro-home village for people experiencing chronic homelessness on an 86-acre site just west of Spanaway. The project will be modeled after the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, and owned and operated by Tacoma Rescue Mission. It will provide on-site work, health care, treatment, case management and security to residents. The village will focus on serving older adults who have experienced long-term chronic homelessness. The site’s master plan includes an organic farm, farmer’s market, visitor’s center, behavioral health clinic, resident volunteer living quarters and village commons. Its 285 small living units will have communal kitchens, showers and laundry buildings, and are designed for those requiring permanent supportive housing. Construction is planned to be completed in fall 2028. The passage of these two ordinances provides a life-changing investment into the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors, and represents bold leadership by our County Councilmembers.
You can also read Matt Driscoll’s Opinion article in the TNT.
This appears backwards to me. Instead of making housing more expensive for the hard working and responsible majority, we should finally fix the mental health care system and make the educational system more responsive and adaptive to life/employment needs. Addiction, and it’s associated crime, can’t be ignored either.
Firstly I wish to make clear the fact that what I am about to say is not meant to undermine or debate the thoughts expressed by “drsmythe” in the comment above. I support what the “drsmythe” says.
Secondly, I recall making some negative comments about this housing tax proposal in a previous The Suburban Times article. While it is not my intent this morning to support or reject my previous comments, I now feel like making some positive comments regarding this housing tax program.
(1) The design of the tax addition is such that it should be “below anyone’s tolerance for financial pain”. The lack of a financial burden is a good thing. When collecting a penny in tax produces $20,000,000.00 annually to help others, I say “Sock it to me”.
(2) The program seems to have a lot of positive moving parts such as various housing options, human services for mental health issues, addiction problems, and, job training.
I like it. I would be happy, in fact excited, to pay this additional tax to help people on our planet.
Joseph Boyle
FOR THE RECORD (re-visit in five years):
“ … a 285-unit micro-home village for people experiencing chronic homelessness on an 86-acre site just west of Spanaway. The project will be modeled after the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, and owned and operated by Tacoma Rescue Mission. It will provide on-site work, health care, treatment, case management and security to residents. The village will focus on serving older adults who have experienced long-term chronic homelessness. The site’s master plan includes an organic farm, farmer’s market, visitor’s center, behavioral health clinic, resident volunteer living quarters and village commons. Its 285 small living units will have communal kitchens, showers and laundry buildings, and are designed for those requiring permanent supportive housing. Construction is planned to be completed in fall 2028. The passage of these two ordinances provides a life-changing investment into the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors, and represents bold leadership by our County Council members.
COMMENT 1: 9 Jan 2023. (a bit harsh, but just what are the long-term expectations for residents of this “Shangri-La” for 285 “family units” (among how many in need?) –
“Meanwhile, Pierce County’s woke solution to homeless is to buy a modest fraction of our qualifying population an expensive class-defined peninsular village in the middle of an isolated remote wetland at the outskirts of nowhere with classes in clay modeling. I will admit that hot showers and laundry are wonderful, but their remove from community is a step in the wrong direction.” ($245K/unit (person?); operations, maintenance; … organic farm, farmer’s market, visitor’s center, behavioral health clinic, resident volunteer living quarters, … a tall order, indeed. Solution?
IF a life-changing investment into the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors THIS PROJECT is to be, it is difficult to see how its relative displacement from the economic vitality the greater community facilitates such objective, Austin, TX notwithstanding.
COMMENT 2: Another regressive sales tax. Booth Gardner was right, if not forgotten. With so much to appreciate and value (love) about Washington State, our approach to revenue falls short. The fairest way to tax ourselves for general public interests is by wealth. The practical way to do this is by income. Property taxation and use fees help, but sales tax dependence shifts the responsible financial burden of government away from those citizens most able, with greatest proportional benefit, to those of least means, arguably adding to the diminished prospect of homeless outcomes.
COMMENT 3: 15 Apr 2023. I certainly commend the Pierce County Council for grappling with the complexities of “homeless” phenomena; amid no small array of social interventions by government, various orgs and hand-out help. There is clearly a variable but permanent and significant public role for all concerned. Orchestration, validation, provisions and management remain a challenge for regional government. For want of need and recognizing potential for abuse, it will remain important to mind inherent inefficiencies corrosive to public confidence and sustaining support – across a field of social endeavor among a mobile, even difficult constituency.
Figuratively, we are trying to design, build, fix and manage the bus while driving down the road toward a destination of common interest, but individual in the extreme for its possible benefit and timely arrival.
Total cost: $62,725,220 ($245,000/unit); retail romance (?). Perhaps, but not likely.
Most of us will never have the privilege of living in a brand new $245,000.00 house.
Especially one we don’t have to pay for.
Why would anyone ever want to leave?
This is not temporary housing. It is permanent housing for those seniors experiencing chronic homelessness. Read about the Austin Community Village which Pierce County intends to model their planned community after. Austin’s village is not a hand out. These are their rules for residents:
“The intent is that any individual who qualifies can live in the Village permanently, providing they pay their rent, abide by civil law and follow the rules of the community.“
After reading the article and comments I have a few comments. I have long wondered why low income housing costs so much. $245K is a lot. You could give a lot of houses to the homeless. I do mean anyone homeless. Then what? Upkeep and maintenance need to be done. Now I understand better where the money is spent. Somebody has to pay for it. I doubt anyone thinks just giving them a house is a good idea.
I also came away with the thought that this must be a beginning. The homeless will still be here. It will take a community that cares and a lot more money. The political world has talked about this and many other problems for year upon year.
It is time to continue talking, but do something. Talking needs to occur for planning and funding. It is what politicians were elected to do. Not play BS games that benefit only those with cash.
Lastly, I want to know why companies can buy and hoard real estate? They, along with the small local owners, are the problem. They want to increase rents yearly because of “market forces”. They are the one’s who create these bogus forces. They are not in this jbusiness just to make a living. They need to squeeze everyone for a buck just to raise their status and bank account balance.
As with many government perceived problems the go-to answer is more money. One need only look at the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness (https://www.piercecountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/109977/Comprehensive-Plan-to-End-Homelessness-with-Appendices-and-Shelter-Action-Plan) to see the administrative monstrosity the county is creating. It makes me wonder, after administrative costs, what will be left to actually help the homeless. This is especially concerning to me when I realize homelessness isn’t the problem; it is a symptom of many problems. Problems like addictions, mental illness, crime, and domestic abuse. I haven’t found data I trust; however, looking at the homeless camps throughout the region leads me to believe mental illness and drug dependency have to be the main causes – no sane or sober person would tolerate such filth in which to live. Mental health is an unresolved state problem decades in the making. And from family experience addictions require a person wanting to quit, which all to often means removing all enabling options; many of which governments provide.