Pierce County, Tacoma shelters expand intake during cold, snowy holiday
This weekend’s dropping temperatures and predicted snow have homeless shelters opening up more beds and motel vouchers.
Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, and homeless service providers have banded together to provide more shelter than ever before.
Catholic Community Services’ Director of Operations Mike Curry said shelters have expanded to prepare for an influx during the cold temperatures, but social distancing requirements have restricted the normal intake amount.
Catholic Community Services runs shelters in the area like Nativity House.
“COVID continues to be a primary concern in our shelters, and we continue to work closely with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department on testing, (personal protective equipment), and other steps to reduce the risk of infection,” Curry said.
The nonprofit has made efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, such as installing plexiglass dividers between beds and upgrading HVAC air filtration systems.
The Tacoma Rescue Mission has added 50 beds to their 140 bed total (90 at the men’s shelter and 50 at the women’s), said Executive Director Duke Paulson. He doesn’t want to turn anyone away in cold weather, promising to convert the cafeteria, hallways and day space to sleeping areas if needed.
He and Curry both say their shelters have not reached capacity this year. Both speculate that some people experiencing homelessness have become comfortable living outside during the pandemic and collected more belongings than normal.
“While we are looking into why this is, one factor seems to be people’s concerns about their belongings. For folks camping on the streets, coming into shelter can often mean having to tuck one’s belongings somewhere if the shelter doesn’t have room to store them (most don’t), which runs the risk of theft or damage,” Curry said.
They both agreed that the cold weather could encourage more to seek refuge inside.
The City of Tacoma has also opened a 40-bed warming center at the Lighthouse Activity Center at 5016 A St from 12 p.m. on Sunday, December 26 until Sunday, January 2.
The Pierce County Council approved more than $253 million in investments for homeless resources in its biennial budget passed last month.
In the last six months, the county has added 225 year-round beds, 90 additional winter beds and 120 inclement weather beds. The county has also helped to provide more than 1,000 motel vouchers, Communications Director Libby Catalinich said.
County-funded beds open Nov. 1 2021 through March 31, 2022:
Tacoma Rescue Mission has opened 50 beds at Holy Rosary Church
Catholic Community Services Overflow is providing 80 additional beds at Nativity House, 40 of which will be open only during inclement weather
St. Vincent de Paul is offering family motel vouchers
Recent capacity increases:
Brotherhood RISE – 20 beds operational on Nov. 1, 2021
Tacoma Rescue Mission – 15 bed expansion at women’s shelter
Low Income Housing Institute Aspen Court (formerly a Comfort Inn) – 120 beds operational Dec. 15, 2021 – still in ramp up, but doubling pace to accommodate as many as possible during inclement weather
Low Income Housing Institute at South 69th and South Proctor streets – 20-unit expansion Dec. 1, 2021
Fife employment program shelter – 10 beds – summer/fall 2021 (no exact start date)
Shiloh Baptist Church – 40 units – operational Oct. 1, 2021
