Meeting Information


Meeting Type
Friday Coalition Meeting
Date
Friday, 8/19/2022
Start
9:00 AM
End
11:00 AM
Agenda
Agenda
Summary
Learn about being a Legislative District Lead, breakout discussion of appropriateness of very large shelter sites, government updates, and all the usual updates. All are welcome.
Location
This meeting is virtual via Zoom - Register Here
Minutes

Presentation

(Download the PDF version of this summary)

Should the Coalition support the creation of large safe sites, if the opportunity to create them happens?
Group Discussion Summary • Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness • 8.19.2

 

“Oh hell, what do mine eyes with grief behold?”
— Gary Snyder, Milton by Firelight

 

The general answer from the discussion groups is a qualified “Yes,” although broad concern exists regarding safety and manageability of large sites.

  • It depends on how it Is done seems to be part of our answer.
  • Needs to be done right and we should be in the conversation.
  • Unit costs come down by building more in one place.
  • There are more people to assist concentrated in one spot.
  • The more sites, the better. The faster we move people out of homelessness, the better. Too long in homelessness often results in loss of hope.
  • We should embrace any opportunity to increase shelter; having a home base is far better than being on the street.
  • We need safe sites because many car campers are families trying to stay together. There is a lack of family shelters and the recent feedback I received is that the one we have isn't necessarily safe.
  • There are many women who camp in their cars, too due to personal safety issues.
  • Discussion of the hidden costs of a large site that might mitigate savings from economies of scale. Issues with substance use and mental health management for 28 people at FOB are daunting. What happens with 200-300? Needs to be adequately resourced with adequate staffing to provide 24/7 crisis management.
  • Do smaller encampments, are bigger sites safe? Do we want them? Combination?
  • Larger sites are generally more violent. While large sites are needed, smaller is preferable.
  • Concern that large sites poorly done can be more like an internment camp than a healing community.
  • Self-managed? How supporting – garbage/sewer, services/supports?
  • Larger sites are ok, but with wrap around services and assistance in making plans for the future.
  • Sanctioned encampments need to foster sense of ownership and community to be healing, regardless of the size.
  • Needs to be subgroups building community and implementing ownership.
  • Must be organized with common spaces and resident involvement.
  • Need sites for RVs and cars but do not know the optimal size for these.
  • We all agreed that moving people around does not work and lastly, the people who are needing safe sites should have a say so in what happens and what would be helpful.
  • We need one large site in the county, services spread out over the county and in Tacoma, more sites modeled after the Veterans Village.
  • Need sites for specific populations, note that recently unhoused people are families, elderly (ha!), young adults.
  • County is looking for support for Community First Village and coming at that topic through the back door instead of being honest.
  • Need a diversity of sizes, spreading out and offering options around the county instead of centering only in Tacoma.
  • Talked about how the barracks model allows for different floors or rooms that focus on different needs.
  • Should be modeling with more specific populations in mind.
  • Need sites for specific populations, note that recently unhoused people are families, elderly, young adults.
  • Need to address impacts on nearby neighbors and be mindful of what nearby neighbors want and will allow.
  • City ordinances – can you call it a shelter? Stabilization? City building/permitting issues.
  • Was this for structures or encampments? Infrastructure issues – sewer connections, paving, etc.
  • Need to encourage direct community outreach.
  • How can things be done more quickly? With urgency!

Notable News: Trump supports moving homeless people to camps in outlying areas - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/16/trump-speeches-extreme-agenda-2024-bid/