Dear Friends,

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who joined me for a community dialogue on homelessness in downtown Tacoma last week! Addressing this issue is vital to the City, and the feedback I heard will shape my work as your Council Member. I also appreciate everyone who made a commitment to be part of an action plan to make downtown Tacoma the best it can be.

Guests took the opportunity to talk with a dozen non-profit, community, and government stakeholders who all play a role in responding to homelessness in downtown Tacoma.

Afterwards, guests paired up and took turns answering two discussion questions: “What does a better downtown look like?” and “What role can you play to make a difference on this issue?”

Each small group reported out to the entire room, contributing to a shared vision for downtown and a community action plan for how everyone could help create the vision we want to see.

What does a better downtown look like?

There were dozens of answers to this question, with most answers falling into one of the following themes:

• A developed business & retail community.
• Lively, activated spaces and amazing places.
• Clean and safe neighborhoods.
• A welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Homes for everyone.
• Walkability and transit.

What role can you play to make a difference on this issue?

As your Council Member, I committed to taking action to work towards this vision becoming a reality. My commitments include working in collaboration with Pierce County Council Member Ryan Mello - who attended and fully participated in the discussion - to take a regional approach to addressing homelessness.

It will take the entire community working together to bring this vision to life. Here are some of the ways attendees committed to be part of the solution:

• Frequent downtown businesses.
• Report things to 311 and 911.
• Attend events in downtown Tacoma.
• Clean up the neighborhood.
• Treat every person in downtown Tacoma like a person, with dignity and respect.
• Advocate at all levels of government for revenue to support homeless services and housing.
• Donate and volunteer for organizations that directly support individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Be involved with community groups working to make the neighborhood better.

Next steps

Do you have additional thoughts to inform this work? You have until Wednesday, December 18, to share your own answers to these questions through this form.

The conversation will continue! I am working with a facilitator at the Evans School of Public Policy to plan another discussion on how we address this issue in 2025.

Resources

Thank you to all of the stakeholders who joined the event to educate community on how they work to address homelessness in downtown Tacoma. Here are some resources from these organizations I wanted everyone to have.

Tacoma FIRST 311

The City of Tacoma’s Customer Support Center which provides a “one-stop shop” for City services, and offers a concierge feel in the way of reception, face-to-face interaction, 311 telephone support, online resources and mobile app connectivity, is located on the second floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street, Room 220). Learn how to report your concerns to the City here.

New Tacoma Neighborhood Council

Attend a meeting on the 2nd Wed. each month from 5:30-7:00pm (except August). Our neighborhoods includes the Port, Dome, Downtown, Hilltop & more! Their holiday social is tonight, December 11, at 1764 Pacific Ave in the 3^rd Floor Board Room above the bookstore.

Tidy Up Tacoma

Tidy-Up Tacoma, a program within the City’s Environmental Services Department, is dedicated to elevating the overall cleanliness and visual appeal of the City of Tacoma so that we can all live, work, and play in clean and healthy neighborhoods that inspire pride in our community.

Find out what neighborhood cleanup programs are available here.

University of Washington Tacoma

The University of Washington Tacoma is working to update the Campus Master Plan that guides the campus' future growth and development. Their master plan was last updated in 2008.

The University of Washington Tacoma is currently in the process of collecting input and feedback from students, faculty, staff and community leaders on the future of the campus and how they should grow their physical infrastructure.

If you were not able to participate in one of the in-person sessions, you can provide feedback through the online survey:

• Faculty, Student and Staff Survey
• Community Member Survey

Downtown Tacoma Partnership

The Downtown Tacoma Partnership maintains expansive safe and clean services, while also providing community beautification, marketing services​,retail support and recruitment. They also produce events to encourage folks to shop downtown, such as the Haul Crawl December 3 – 14, 2024 in Downtown Tacoma.

The Holiday Haul Crawl was created to encourage shoppers to purchase their holiday gifts locally from downtown retailers during the most wonderful time of year. With more than 130 shops, restaurants, and services in Downtown Tacoma, you will be sure to find the perfect presents for the special people in your life while creating memories you won’t soon forget. Shop small and have a very merry Haul Crawl!

Community Policing

The City of Tacoma has a Community Policing program. Sector 1 staff is committed to long-term problem solving, improving the quality of life within the sector, and enhancing and supporting economic development. Due to a vast array of new building projects that have been recently completed or are currently underway, the central district of Tacoma has once again become a more vibrant, exciting and safe place to live and work. Officers who work in the sector are proud to serve their community.

Report an Issue Within Sector 1: For crimes in progress, call 911. If your issue is not a crime in progress; for vehicle prowls, vandalism, theft or lost property, you may either file an online report or call the non-emergency number at (253) 287-4455. For nuisance-type issues, contact Tacoma First 311 or call 311 within the city limits of Tacoma or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere.