The Tacoma City Counci did adopt the proposed code changes affecting people experiencing homelessness BUT with a 60 day delay in implementation.  Thanks to everyone who spoke last night at the Council meeting - so many of us that the Mayor limited us to 2 minutes instead of three.  The Democratic Socialists of America Tacoma and the Tacoma Tenants Organizing Committee turned out in force and in addition to their own testimonies, presented Council with transcripts of the interviews they had done with people experiencing homelessness over the week-end.  Brilliant!  Several of us called for "conditional approval" of the 60 days and made it dependent on the City identifying and securing safe day and night shelter for all by Dec. 1.  The Mayor called for "safe, warm and dry shelter."  The video is not yet available but I will send the link later.  

We will spend some time Friday morning at the TPC Coalition to End Homelessness meeting talking about our next steps.   Please come prepared to discuss - or email me ahead of Friday morning if you can't come -

1.  How do we, the Coalition, want to be involved with MDC and Associated Ministries and the City over the next 60 days?  One of the points several of us have made is that the City did not reach out to the Coalition during this process.  Although the Coalition does not have a structure that allows policy decision making, we do have an incredible amount of knowledge, experience, and passion.  

2.  What "low hanging fruit" for day and night shelter can we propose?  Just list them out.

3.  What types of day and night shelter can we suggest for people experiencing homelessness who are the most difficult to shelter?  For instance, people with pets, people with "stuff," people who want or need their private space....fill in the blanks.  

     

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