Five things to know about Tacoma’s new micro shelter for the homeless on MLK Jr. Way
Tacoma approved construction of a micro shelter site for the homeless at 802 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, down the street from People’s Park.
Here are five things to know about it:
1. It’s expected to open on Dec. 19.
Low Income Housing Institute, which is operating the site, started installing the shelters on Thursday. The structures continue to arrive through Saturday.
Each shelter is 8-by-12 feet with electricity, heating and a locked door. All 22 units were made by volunteers.
Shared bathroom facilities, shared kitchen, an office for services, storage and WIFI will also be on site.
2. Up to 35 adults will use it.
Men, women and couples will use the shelter. No one under 18 can use the site. Pets are allowed.
Staff with the city of Tacoma are working to identify people currently residing at the People’s Park encampment to use the shelter. When the shelter opens, those people will be offered help to move, city officials said.
3. There’s a code of conduct.
No weapons, alcohol or drugs are allowed. The code asks for villagers to respect the privacy of other residents and to clean up after themselves.
Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be security cameras and a fence around the property. It’s staffed 24/7.
Violation of the code results from verbal and written warnings to removal from the site. Physical violence will not be tolerated.
4. It’s temporary.
The shelter will operate for no longer than eight months at a cost of $388,000.
In the meantime, city staff are looking for other locations for more shelter beds. They’re also working on longer-term solutions, like affordable housing, they said.
The micro shelter was approved as part of the city’s emergency declaration as winter approaches and inclement weather worsens. It did not need to undergo the typical permitting process.
5. You can help.
People can apply to serve on the Community Advisory Committee, which meets regularly to address concerns and monitor the site.
Looking to donate or volunteer? Contact site manager John Brown at 206-945-2201, or john.brown@lihi.org.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 1:13 PM.
