Pierce County creates $1.85M response plan for the homeless during coronavirus pandemic
Pierce County has finalized a $1.85 million proposal to address homelessness during the coronavirus outbreak.
The proposal uses state grants and county money to fund isolation and quarantine centers for those who have tested positive or have been exposed, increased sanitation for the homeless and added shelter capacity to encourage social distancing.
The county’s director of Human Services, Heather Moss, said the county hopes to support the most vulnerable with $1.6 million from the state Department of Commerce and $250,000 from county coffers.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department signed off on the proposal with a plan in place. The line-item budget for the $1.6 million has not been released, but $1.2 million has been allotted for physical expansion and $400,000 has been marked for outreach.
The county estimates the funds will cover two months of a response, Moss said.
The health agency and the county have prioritized finding isolation and quarantine sites for everyone who cannot stay in place without infecting others.
Officials have contracted with Tacoma’s Holiday Inn with an occupancy of 124, and additional sites are being considered.
For the homeless population
To increase sanitation, the health department has sent hygiene and portable sinks to emergency shelters and high-traffic areas, like a large Puyallup encampment. Officials also are working with local YMCAs to open for showers, the proposal said.
The county and health department are looking to rent space in schools, hotels and motels, or business space to allow homeless service providers to provide shelter while practicing social distancing.
Some of the grant funding will help the county buy protective gear for volunteers and staff, food for shelter providers, pay for salaries and transportation and purchase cleaning supplies, according to the proposal.
Outreach teams will help monitor those experiencing homelessness, Moss said. They will take temperatures, connect people to resources and send them to facilities if they are sick.
Rental assistance
Share & Care House has been tasked with administering the $250,000 rental assistance funding.
Anyone living outside Tacoma who is quarantined or isolated with a household income 50 percent lower than the median income and has experienced a loss or reduction of employment qualifies. The city of Tacoma is expected to pass mirroring $1.2 million legislation for city residents through the Housing Trust Fund.
Pierce County Council passed an ordinance two weeks ago, using $250,000 for “homeless sheltering.” County Executive Bruce Dammeier signed the bill into law.
With state homeless shelter funding, the county funds will be used as rental assistance for those with low incomes.
Moss made the decision. She said she does not consider the move a reallocation of funds, stating that the money will be used to prevent people from becoming homeless.
While Gov. Jay Inslee has signed an order to stop law enforcement from enforcing eviction notices, there is no guarantee renters eventually won’t have to pay unpaid rent, Moss said.
“It does not say you have to forgive the rent,” she said. “It is reasonable that they still owe that rent, so we are trying to prevent future homelessness or people under-housed because of economic hardship.”
Bill sponsor, Council member Marty Campbell, said while rental assistance wasn’t what he had in mind for the funding, it helps prevent more becoming homeless during this difficult time.
“Triage with latitude,” Campbell said. “We’re trying to be as flexible as possible and see what could move through as fast as possible to get the help where it’s needed.”
Homeless service providers could start applying as of Friday, April 3, as could Pierce County residents for rental assistance by calling 253-841-8886, Ext. 800, or emailing covid-ra@shareandcarehouse.org.
This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 4:40 PM.
