About the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness
Description
The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness is a network of individuals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, faith communities, and community businesses working together to end homelessness.
The Coalition welcomes diverse perspectives and actions. Participants act as individuals and groups and may invite others to join them. We speak with one voice when positions and actions are affirmed through majority vote at a weekly general Coalition meeting.
Mission
The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness connects and mobilizes people to take action to end homelessness.
Policy Vision
We recognize that having a home is a basic human need. We seek a future where:
- All Pierce County residents have access to safe and secure shelter;
- Pierce County jurisdictions have committed to ongoing and significant funding to support attainable permanent housing for persons with incomes at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI);
- Strategies for attaining this vision have been developed in partnership with those who have lived experience of homelessness and address the disproportionate effects on Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Values
- An open table - We welcome all committed to ending homelessness.
- Diversity - We honor differences in terms of role, race, age, gender identity, ability, or access to resources.
- Racial equity - We seek to understand and challenge the systemic effects of racist ideology and practice.
- Lived experience - We lift the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness.
- Shared power - We encourage all to take space and to make room for others.
- Continued learning - We create opportunities to learn and lead.
Strategies for connecting and mobilizing members include
- Ensuring continuous, accessible communications
- Holding regular convenings
- Developing effective processes and resources to facilitate action
- Promoting shared leadership
- Incubating collaborative projects
Membership
- The Coalition is an open table for all who are committed to ending homelessness and engaging with respect; there is no membership requirement. “Members” are those who participate.
- Interested persons can access the Coalition’s activities and resources through subscribing to the Coalition listserv.
- Participants learn about services, advocacy opportunities, government actions and network with one another at the Coalition’s general weekly Friday meetings (currently held via Zoom), and by joining in the work of various committees and action groups.
- Attendance at all group meetings is open upon subscribing to the list for specific groups or registering for a specific meeting through the website.
Coalition Successes since 2020
- Organized two Summits on Homelessness in 2020-2021 resulting in specific action commitments
- Worked to expand winter 2020-21 shelter options and collaborated in providing vaccination access for those living in encampments and shelters (with funding from Greater Tacoma Community Foundation).
- Supported the creation of a Safe Parking Network pilot project. The Coalition continues to support the project, which has now transitioned to receive funding from Pierce County
- Successfully promoted and contributed to creation of Pierce County Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness
- Provided leadership in designing and implementing extreme weather distribution network for life-saving supplies
- Designed and distributed series of infographics to promote public awareness and accurate knowledge
- Pchomeless.org website is recognized (and counted on) as an essential regional resource
- Weekly Friday meetings bring 50-80 participants together to network, share resources, take action.
Contacting Us
The Coalition is currently volunteer-led and operated. Please contact the following for more information about our work and to get involved: