County Plan Would Create Parking Facilities For The Homeless

TACOMA, WA — A new proposal from the Pierce County Council may end up setting aside parking facilities for use by people experiencing homelessness.

Earlier this month, the county council adopted a Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness, composed of several short- and long-term solutions to the recent rapid growth in homelessness within the county. As part of that effort, the council this week considered an ordinance which would allow businesses, organizations or other landowners in unincorporated parts of the county to create parking facilities for residents experiencing homelessness who live out of their vehicles.

"This is by no means the panacea to addressing homelessness, but providing safe parking is identified as one of the many action strategies in our recently adopted comprehensive plan," said Councilmember Ryan Mello at the ordinance's hearing Monday. "We're moving forward on many, many fronts, and this is one of the more straightforward ones I think we can move on quickly."

If passed, a hosting organization like a church or community center would be allowed to use some of its parking to host either:

• 2 passenger vehicles, with no stipulations.
• 3 to 7 passenger vehicles, if they can provide bathroom access, water, and a trash receptacle.

Facilities with 8 or more vehicles or any RVs would need to apply for a conditional use permit. Hosts setting up facilities of any size will also need to invite adjacent neighbors to a community meeting to discuss the facility and hear any concerns the neighbors may have.

Supporter like Councilmember Jani Hitchens say the goal of the parking facility proposal is to create smaller places where people can stay, even in communities that don't have the space or the need for a full homeless shelter.

"This will provide a network of possible spaces across our entire geographic area, from both sides of the water to up to the mountain," Hitchens said.

The ordinance was heard by the county's Community Development Committee Monday. It is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the full council on May 16. If passed, the ordinance would go into effect on June 1 of this year, and remain in effect for six months, unless it is extended or adopted into the Pierce County Code.

Other short-term solutions the county approved this month include the creation of a pilot bus pass program, more funding for case management services, and the establishment of a new temporary shelter to help residents transition into permanent housing.

Long-term, the council has said its goal is to create a state of "functional zero," where any person who has lost their home and is about to become homeless can find space in a local shelter and receive support as they try to find permanent housing once again.