Tacoma proposes homeless micro-shelter site at Sixth Avenue and North Orchard Street
The city of Tacoma is considering opening a new micro-shelter site at Sixth Avenue and North Orchard Street to serve people experiencing homelessness.
The city is partnering with First Christian Church of Tacoma for the shelter, city staff said at a study session on Tuesday. It would contain about 40 units, essentially tiny houses but without toilets.
The goal is to have the shelter completed before the end of the year, said Erica Azcueta, who works in the city’s Neighborhood and Community Services Department.
Council member John Hines, who lives near the proposed location, said in a news release Tuesday that the project would be operated by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), which also operates the current micro shelter at East 60th Street and McKinley Avenue in Eastside.
Hines said he applauds the proposed site.
“While campaigning in 2019, I heard from our neighbors that housing and homelessness were the biggest concerns for residents in District 1,” Hines said in the release. “As we work on developing long term solutions to address homelessness and to serve our unhoused neighbors, I am proud that we have community partners like First Christian Church stepping forward to work with us.”
The shelter would be built under the city’s emergency declaration, which gives the city the authority to continue to expedite contracting, permitting and budget processes.
There would be an open house and other outreach prior to the opening of the site, Hines said.
More information on the outreach and details of the project would be available in the coming weeks, according to city staff.
