MDC is proud to announce work will begin this month to renovate the blighted Baywatch building near downtown Tacoma into the new Randall Townsend Apartments.

The 35-unit building will house previously homeless residents who are living with disabilities. This project is based on a national best practice that is proven to reduce public costs to emergency services, increase community livability, and lead to the recovery of individuals living with developmental, physical, mental, and substance-abuse related disabilities.

“When complete The Randall Townsend Apartments will have 24-hour staffing, easy access to all of MDC’s health, education, and employment services,” said MDC’s CEO and President Mark Pereboom. “In that way, MDC is uniquely qualified to provide a path to self-sufficiency.”

According to Pierce County’s Point In Time Count, over the past eight years, the county’s street homeless population has dropped from 727 to 126. This new building will reduce that number even further.

This 84% drop in the chronically homeless population has come at an enormous financial benefit to Tacoma and Pierce County.  On average, taxpayers pay $35,000 every year in emergency services for someone living on the street.  The Randall Townsend Apartments will provide direct access to medical care in the appropriate setting, reducing the unnecessary burden on emergency services.

The building is dedicated to the life of Navy veteran Randall Townsend.  Randall Townsend was experiencing homelessness at the time of his murder, and had been homeless as a direct result of a mental illness.  MDC hopes that by remembering him in this way, we all can reflect on the immense challenges facing those who are homeless, and work together to strengthen our community for everyone.

If you would like to support MDC’s mission of promoting self sufficiency and removing individuals and families from poverty, please consider making a donation on our website or getting involved in MDC LEADS, a group of community advocates and leaders who want to make a difference in their community.