Pierce County’s 5-Year Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness
AM is pleased to report that on Tuesday afternoon of this week, the Pierce County Council adopted the County’s updated 5-Year Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness in a 4-3 vote. The majority cited the impending July 1 State-mandated deadline to have a plan in place as a reason to adopt it now, while dissenting votes wanted to delay adoption to include an accountability framework. An oral amendment was approved by the Council directing the Human Services Department to work with the Comp Plan’s Implementation Advisory Board to develop an accountability framework to add to the plan.
AM Board President Carolyn Read and Executive Director Mike Yoder attended the meeting and presented testimony supporting adoption of the plan, and those who testified in favor of its passage seemed to positively impact the Councilmembers who eventually voted yes. County Council Chair Jani Hitchen said, “This isn’t a plan that will sit on a shelf—it’s a guide based on input from providers, people with lived experience, and community members on how best to work towards functional zero. Without a plan and the intentional thinking around data, we can’t know if we are making progress. Setting specific, data-driven goals is a huge step forward for Pierce County.” We agree with the Chair’s perspective about the value of this plan, which is why AM representatives testified in favor of its passage.
Briefly summarizing it, the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness retains the overarching goal of reaching functional zero, and includes eight specific goals:
- Promote system accountability and transparency
- Prioritize assistance for those with the greatest barriers to housing
- Prevent homeless episodes
- Coordinate with adjacent systems
- Meet immediate needs
- Expand permanent housing
- Strengthen the homeless provider workforce
- House everyone in a stable setting