Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness: 2025 Network Funding Spotlight

Filed Under: Vibrant Community - Posted @ 10:44pm

Guiding Focus of Network 

We connect and mobilize people to take action to end homelessness. We are a network of individuals, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, faith communities, and community businesses working together to end homelessness. 

How Network Was Formed 

The Coalition has existed in various forms for decades. It began in the 1980s, then grew into its current form in 2017 as a weekly gathering of homelessness services providers responding to the City of Tacoma declaring a public health emergency for homelessness.  

You can learn more about our history here: https://pchomeless.org/history/ 

Shared Successes That Have Emerged From This Network 

In recent years, successes include:  

• Advocating for and helping create the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness,  

• Significant improvements in how our communities support those who are homeless during inclement weather,  

• Advocacy to help the Pierce County Council pass the 1/10th of 1% sales tax to support affordable housing (the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act) 

• Support for the creation of a safe parking network of sites across Pierce County. 

1-2 Big Goals Your Network is Hoping to Achieve in 2026 

1. Continue to urge city and county governments to work toward solutions to homelessness rather than systems that displace, fine, and potentially arrest people without accessible shelter and housing options. 
2. Continue to improve the supports for community members who are experiencing homelessness. 

Advice For Others Looking to Leverage Networks to Help Build a Thriving Community

Challenges to Anticipate 

People will have different ideas for how to get to preferred solutions. 

Tips for Navigating Challenges 

Create space, listen to each other, have meaningful conversations, and build agreement on core goals. 

How to Build Shared Goals 

As much as possible, make it clear why people are coming together to tackle the core issue. In the case of the Coalition, we operate as an open table, and invite anyone to be part of the conversation who holds the core belief that we will work together to end homelessness. 

Any Additional Advice 

Pierce County is a diverse community, and people bring many of their own ideas to our weekly meetings. Try to recognize that everyone is learning, and that if the core issue was easy to solve, it would already be done.