On July 8, MDC hosted a community conversation to address chronic street homelessness in Tacoma. Four questions were presented to the attendees:
1) What do you think our community needs to reduce street homelessness?
2) What role can community members serve to reduce street homelessness?
3) How can local business support ending homelessness?
4) What do you consider a healthy, vibrant community?
Over the past 10 years, the chronic homeless population in Pierce County has dropped from 727 individuals to 191 individuals. This is a 74 percent decrease in the number of people living on the streets. Programs like Housing First greatly assisted in this reduction, however, current resources are all allocated and more resources are clearly needed to further reduce the number of people living on the streets.
Last night’s meeting continued the community conversation around chronic street homelessness. We want to hear from more of you, and we know that many people couldn’t attend last night’s conversation.
Here are links to some of the resources that were discussed during the July 8 meeting.
City of Tacoma encampment presentation (download PowerPoint presentation)
City of Tacoma encampment map
Join the continuing discussion on our Facebook page
