Pierce Exec Aims To Address Housing With American Rescue Plan

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier has released his proposal outlining how the county should use it's incoming American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Pierce County is set to receive roughly $175 million from the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan Act. Monday, the county executive released his proposal on how he thinks the money should be spent, including:

• $78.1 million for housing, finding solutions for homelessness and general wellbeing.
  • This includes $69 million for homeless shelters, new housing developments and low-income rental assistance, to be bolstered with an additional $14 million from other federal programs.
• $48.2 million to help businesses weather the pandemic.
  • Included in this proposal is plans for investment and training for start-up enterprises run by BIPOC community members.
• $20.4 million to respond to the pandemic.
  • Programs include $12 million for expanding COVID-19 testing programs and $7 million for other public health services.
  • The county expects an additional $92 million in public health funding from other government sources like FEMA.
• $29 million for accessible county and court operations.
  • This includes $6 million to cut the county's court case backlog, and $4 million expanding broadband internet access.

Dammeier says he created his proposal with a focus on addressing the county's growing housing and homelessness concerns.

“We have focused one of the largest portions of the county’s ARPA funds on making meaningful and sustainable progress on ensuring our residents have a safe, clean and affordable place to live,” Dammeier said. “Recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic starts with having the security of a place to call home.”

Dammeier says his program was guided by the County Council and the same advisory group who last year helped guide his decisions on the allocation of CARES Act Funding. Earlier this year, Pierce County was recognized for its effective and flexible use of CARES Act funding.

Once the county has the American Rescue Plan Act money and has begun using it, those expenditures will be visible to the public on the county's Open Pierce County dashboard.

The Pierce County Council is also considering a proposal to use some ARPA funding to support small businesses while the county re-enters a Phase 2 lockdown. The county will be rolled back into Phase 2 starting Friday.

Related: Pierce County To Move Back Into Phase 2 This Week