402 Tacoma 1019 Pacific Avenue, Avenue S., Suite Suite 1216 200 PO Box 1303, TACOMA, WA TACOMA, 98402 WA 98401 PHONE (253) 627-4853 FAX (253) 627-2253
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014
Vol. CXXIV, No. 8
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
Pierce County News
Homeless Coalition seeks volunteers For those most people living in the northwest, the cold, damp winter seems endless by this time of the year. Imagine being one of the 670 homeless individuals who slept outside or in an emergency shelter in your neighborhood last night. To understand the challenges facing local homeless people, local organizations will conduct the annual survey of homeless people this month in Pierce County. Completing this survey is a monumental task that requires the help of community volunteers and donations. The Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness seeks 100 volunteers to conduct the annual homeless survey on January 23 and 24. The annual survey is a vital component of reaching the goal to end homelessness in Pierce County. The data collected provides a picture of the homeless issues in Pierce County, drives planning efforts, and leverages public and private funding for homeless housing and services. "From victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities to veterans and senior citizens, volunteers can help us better understand the needs of our homeless neighbors," said Charlene Hamblen, Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness. "Volunteers collect important data that will help us improve the quality of life and outlook for so many families and individuals." Volunteers for the 2014 survey must attend one training session prior to participating. At the training, volunteers will learn more about how the data is collected and discuss safety measures. Three sessions are scheduled: Mon., Jan. 13, 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Pierce County Community Connections, 1305 Tacoma Ave. S., Suite 104, Conference Room C, Tacoma, WA 98402; Weds., Jan. 15, 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Pierce County Community Connections, Sound View, 3602 Pacific Ave., Suite 200, Conference Room 1, Tacoma, WA 98418; and Fri., Jan. 17, 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Pierce County Community Connections, Sound View, 3602 Pacific Ave, Suite 200, Conference Room 1, Tacoma, WA 98418. Donations of clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, duffle bags, non-perishable food, bottled water, can openers, flashlights, batteries, towels, and toiletries are accepted at Catholic Community Services, Phoenix Housing Network at 7050 S. G St. in Tacoma, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NOTE TO READERS
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Tacoma Daily Index will not be published on Mon., Jan. 20. Publication will resume on Tues., Jan. 21.
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Tacoma proposes permit process for temporary homeless camps The City of Tacoma Planning Commission is seeking public comment on proposed land use regulations concerning a Temporary Homeless Camps Permitting Process. The proposal would amend the Tacoma Municipal Code, Chapter 13.05 Land Use Permit Procedures and Chapter 13.06 Zoning, to add regulations for a permit review process for temporary homeless camps run by religious organizations. A public hearing by the Commission is scheduled for Weds., Jan. 22, at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, First Floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St. Public input is welcome at the hearing and/or in written comment by Fri., Jan. 24. State law, RCW 36.01.290, grants broad authority to religious organizations to host temporary homeless camps for individuals experiencing homelessness on their private property. The City of Tacoma has not had a religious organization propose such a camp since the state law passed in 2010, but wants to have regulations in place should this occur in the future. The proposed amendment would regulate temporary homeless camps to protect general public health and safety as well as the safety of camp residents. The proposal calls for the following: maximum occupancy per camp: 100 residents;
maximum number of camps allowed to operate within the City at any given time: two; minimum camp site area: 7,500 square feet for first 50 residents, plus 150 square feet for each additional resident; maximum time on ground for each camp: 93 days (or 123 days for hard surface or non-residential sites); minimum time to return to site or neighborhood: two years from previous camp start date (or 18 months for hard surface or non-residential sites); camp must be located within one-quarter of a mile of a transit stop; perimeter setback: 10 feet from property line; perimeter fencing: six-foot sight-obscuring materials; shelter/tent separation: two feet on sides and rear of shelter, four feet from entrance, and 10 feet between group shelters; Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles will be applied to the camps during the site plan review; warrant and background checks are required for prospective camp residents; one shower for each 33 residents; parking: two spaces for every 25 residents; and 14-day public notice to 400 feet of site. More information is available online at cityoftacoma.org/planning or by contacting John Harrington, Planning and Development Services, at (253) 279-8950 or jharring@cityoftacoma.org.
"The annual homeless count is critical to understanding trends," said Tess Colby, Homeless Programs Administrator for Pierce County Community Connections. "Volunteers play a crucial role in helping us determine an accurate count, especially among families and individuals who are unsheltered." Last year, volunteers helped collect data from over 1,303 homeless individuals in our county. They identified 539 single, unattached individuals, and 228 families with 464 children age 18 and under as homeless. To volunteer or make a donation, call Rae Anne Giron, Pierce County Community Connections, at (253) 798-6931.
The Committee is recruiting volunteers who live in the unincorporated areas of Pierce County with an interest in helping to prevent, reduce and/or eliminate violence among youth and families. In its monthly meetings (typically January through June), members work to increase understanding of the impact of violence prevention programs, evaluate funding applications, and recommend allocations of the criminal justice sales and use tax that is imposed on unincorporated areas within Pierce County. The committee usually meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. During the month of April, the committee meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. to hear presentations from applicants applying for violence prevention funding. If you would like an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in Pierce County, you may obtain more program information, as well as a board application online at co.pierce. wa.us/index.aspx?nid=2177, or by contacting Stephanie Bray, Community Development supervisor, at (253) 798-6917 or sbray@co.pierce.wa.us.
Volunteers sought for youth violence prevention program The Department of Community Connections seeks volunteers to serve on the Allocation Advisory Committee for Prevention Programs, an advisory body to Pierce County government on the use of tax dollars set aside for youth violence prevention programs.