Lakewood To Host Q&A Over New Homeless Shelter

LAKEWOOD, WA — The City of Lakewood is inviting residents to learn more about a new emergency homeless shelter that will be set up just outside of the city limits.

The Low Income Housing Institute, Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, and the City of Lakewood have teamed up to buy the Comfort Inn near 84th and Hosmer in Tacoma, with the intent of turning the inn into a new emergency homeless shelter.

The $8.8 million purchase included a $1 million investment from Lakewood, taken from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“The opportunity to invest in an emergency shelter accessible to people from Lakewood as well as Tacoma and Pierce County will help all of our communities,” said Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson. “This is a chance to maximize the effectiveness of American Rescue Plan funds and help those most in need as quickly as possible.”

Initially, the shelter will house up to 120 men, women, and couples, including those with pets. Organizers say the goal is to help vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Residents will be able to stay for between three and six months, during which time they will be attended to by staff who will help them transition into more permanent housing.

“We are grateful to Pierce County and the cities of Tacoma and Lakewood for their foresight and compassion to help our unhoused neighbors. We have the opportunity during the pandemic to purchase a building to provide 120 people with a safe, warm place to get out of the cold and improve their lives this winter,” said LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee.

After two years, the shelter will then shift to providing permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

The emergency shelter is set to open sometime over the holidays, but before that happens, Lakewood wants to take a minute to explain the process to its residents. City organizers say they've heard a lot of comments, both positive and negative, about the proposal, so they've set up a community Q&A to help everyone learn more, and have their comments or concerns addressed.

The event is set for Nov. 22. To participate, residents only need to contact Darren Pen at dpen@safest.org with their contact information, the city said.