Here is a list of shelters and winter resources as cold weather grips Pierce County
Pierce County has helped compile a list of resources for frigid temperatures forecast this week. The list includes warming shelters and overnight shelter information.
Pierce County worked alongside the Coalition to End Homelessness and the City of Tacoma to organize warming shelters as colder temperatures are expected from Thursday onward. The shelters were made for those experiencing homelessness, including those with pets, children and partners. Efforts are also being made to support those who choose to stay in their current outdoor locations, according to a Pierce County news release.
Warming Center and Shelter Information
Pierce County activated warming centers and additional locations will be updated on the Coalition to End Homelessness website, the release said.
Warming center in the following location:
- Fife Community Center: 2111 54th Avenue East, Fife: Opens Thursday at 4 p.m.
Chapel Hill Church: 7700 Skansie Avenue, Gig Harbor: Open on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Key Peninsula Civic Center: 17010 South Vaughn Road Northwest: Open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergency shelters have increased bed capacity, including the following locations:
- Tacoma Rescue Mission – Holy Rosary Church: 520 S. 30th St., Tacoma (Single men): Added 20 beds.
- Catholic Community Services - Nativity House: 702 S. 14th St., Tacoma (Single men and women): Added 80 beds.
- Valeo Vocation – Beacon Young Adult Shelter: 415 S. 13th S., Tacoma: (Young Adults 18-24): Added 20 beds.
Pierce County has listed designated outreach groups to help unhoused people. They take them to warming shelters if they need a ride and give out supplies such as sleeping bags, hand warmers, hot water, soup, hats and various other resources for the cold weather, according to Bryan Neal, staff member at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma.
Neal said that anyone who wants to help can go to the listed organizations and pick up supplies to give out:
Cold weather supplies for designated outreach teams are available at the following locations:
- Eastern Pierce County: Homeward Bound – New Hope Resource Center: 414 Spring St., Puyallup.
- Tacoma Region: Multicultural Child And Family Hope Center: 2102 S. 23rd St., Tacoma.
Free Transport to Warming Centers
Pierce Transit is offering free rides to warming centers from Jan. 11 to Jan. 14. This may be extended depending if the cold weather continues or until the warming shelters are closed, according to a media release.
Pierce Transit is partnering with the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management to provide free bus, Runner (on-demand), and SHUTTLE paratransit (for registered SHUTTLE customers) rides to warming centers and shelters. Pierce Transit has also made the Parkland Transit Center Park & Ride facility available for a warming center, the release said.
The free round trips are available throughout the day and evening for passengers who tell the driver they are traveling to or from a warming center or shelter, the release said.
This story was originally published January 11, 2024 at 9:22 AM.
