City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 05/27/2020 12:30 PM PDT
Greetings,
My heart goes out to every resident of District 5 who is navigating how to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are going through something very hard, but it is not about you or me, it’s about us. I believe this time can remind us that we are so interconnected as a community. We must help each other and we must be resilient. With the efforts of the entire community, Tacoma and Pierce County is seeing a decrease in new cases. We have to continue to take this seriously and follow guidance from public health officials. We must follow the science and the data – please continue to stay six feet apart from one another, wear masks in public, and follow the guidance from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thank you for doing your part to save the lives of your family and neighbors.
Below is some information on what the City of Tacoma is doing to help families like yours get through these unprecedented times. Visit cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus for updates on the City’s response to this pandemic.
Gratefully in service, Chris Beale, AICP Tacoma City Council Member, District 5
In response to the City of Tacoma’s COVID-19 State of Emergency, the Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) Board approved the creation of a new Emergency Assistance Program for low-income customers.
The new program will support TPU customers whose incomes are within 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines, as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Emergency Assistance Program will provide a utility credit for eligible single-family households, usable toward TPU bills. The eligibility requirements for this new program will allow more TPU customers to qualify for bill payment assistance than under the existing Bill Credit Assistance Plan (BCAP).
Customers in need of assistance can apply by online at mytpu.org/covid19 or by calling (253) 502-8600.
At the conclusion of Tacoma’s State of Emergency, the Emergency Assistance Program will continue while there are funds available and customers who need the program. The newly created program is in addition to the multi-pronged effort TPU already has underway to ease the burden of COVID-19 on customers.
You can learn more about all of Tacoma Public Utilities low-income payment assistance programs on this website.
We've launched a new virtual series of conversations on issues of importance to the community during this COVID-19 pandemic. Each event will feature Mayor Victoria Woodards and be hosted by Council Members via Zoom.
I co-hosted the second T-Town Hall with Council Member Catherine Ushka to discuss issues related to immigration and refugees during the COVID-19 crisis. Guest panelists included Jefferson Mok, Chair of the City’s Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Tanisha Jumper, the City’s Media and Communications Director, and Anita Gallagher, Assistant to the City Manager.
Other T-Town Hall topics include tenant support and rental assistance, economic development, and education and children. You can find all videos from the City of Tacoma, including other T-Town Halls, on YouTube.
On May 8, the Tacoma City Council passed a resolution I sponsored directing the City Manager to create and promote public service announcements aimed to improve public awareness of the impacts of speeding on Tacoma’s roads. We encourage residents in Tacoma to voluntarily comply with a limit of 20 miles per hour on residential streets for their own safety, as well as the safety of their neighbors and our entire community.
My family is one of the thousands of households in Tacoma complying with Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. We’re spending more time in our residence and neighborhood, and recognize an increased need for outdoor recreation. As we do our best to explore our neighborhoods safely, residents of Tacoma are using streets as shared public spaces.
The Council sent a clear message that, more than ever, people need to drive more slowly in our neighborhoods. Vehicle speeds are directly correlated to the severity of injuries and death by pedestrians and bicyclists. Statistics indicate that only one in 10 pedestrians struck by a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour survives without mortal injury, while 9 in 10 pedestrians involved in a collision with a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour survive.
I encourage you to join the “20 is Plenty” campaign. You can learn more about it, and download a sign you can print and share in your neighborhood at the City of Tacoma’s Support Vision Zero webpage.
The City of Tacoma has contracted with Low Income Housing Institute to manage the Tacoma Emergency Micro-Shelters (TEMS) site located in the Hilltop area. Since December, this site has served 60 individuals, transitioning 12 into permanent housing. The lease agreement for the current location will end in July, so that the site can be developed, and the location has to move.
The new site is anticipated to be located at 60th and McKinley on property owned by the Tacoma Housing Authority. The new site will transfer the current 22 units, and add up to 28 units, and will be equipped to serve up to 65 residents at a time. This site will include basic human amenities including restrooms, garbage services, handwashing stations, and drinking water. The property will be fenced and have 24-hour security, with on-site management.
This effort is timely in addressing continued emergency shelter needs, and as we continue to respond to COVID-19 physical distancing recommendations and specifically the housing needs of unsheltered individuals. I have toured similar facilities, and have found them to be clean, safe and meet the basic needs of those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. We are fortunate to have a partner, the Low Income Housing Institute, who has replicated the model across the region. I am confident the site will be successful – but we need to hear from you.
Please join me for a Virtual T-Town Hall to talk about the new Tacoma Emergency Micro-Shelters (TEMS) site location. This T-Town Hall is an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and get more information.
Event Details: Virtual T-Town Hall Community Meeting via Zoom
Thursday, June 4, 2020 6-7:30 PM
Participation Information via Zoom: To join, please go to https://bit.ly/2AKb0xD Password: 768156
Please contact shelters@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 591-5119 for more information, questions, or to receive Tacoma Emergency Micro-Shelters Site updates by email. Or you can visit cityoftacoma.org/authorizedencampments.
During the current coronavirus pandemic, the local blood supply at area hospitals have taken a hit as social distancing rules forced blood drives to cancel around the region.
Local blood banks are adapting their services to meet the need for donations. One adaptation is being led by Bloodworks Northwest, which has swapped out its mobile blood bank to a pop-up donor center, the Commencement Bank Summit Club at Cheney Stadium, 2502 S. Tyler St. This pop-up donor center allows for the necessary social distancing when donating blood.
Bloodworks is encouraging only healthy individuals ages 16 and older to donate. All donors will be screened to ensure that they are feeling well, and not showing signs of illness, including fever.
Only donors with appointments will be accommodated, so registering for an appointment is highly encouraged. No children under 16 are allowed at blood drives in order to protect the safety of everyone present. Registrations information and daily schedules can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yb3ymhtd.
