FYI - note CM Hitchen's request that we engage in the County's budgeting process.  I think we might want to educate council members on the statement that  "we cannot help all."

Maureen
From: Jani Hitchen <jani.hitchen@piercecountywa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 7:53 AM
To: Maureen Howard <mhoward@pchomeless.org>
Cc: Annette Swillie <annette.swillie@piercecountywa.gov>
Subject: RE: Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness: Evergreen Encampment Sweep
 

Thank you for sharing this with me. I am hopeful that we will make some significant headway with permanent solutions to help many, but I know we cannot help all. As we move forward through the process of budgeting I am inviting any on the coalition to chime in if you see us mis-stepping or doing something that you believe will cause un-intended consequences.

 

Thanks again for all you do, and for the thousands you speak for.

Jani

 

 

Jani Hitchen

(She/Her/Hers)

Pierce County Council, District 6

253.798.3308

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein

 

Want to stay informed, click here to sign up for our District 6 email list.

All email communication with the Pierce County Council are subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, and should be presumed to be public.

 

 

From: Maureen Howard <mhoward@pchomeless.org>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2021 3:39 PM
To: Woodards, Victoria <victoria.woodards@cityoftacoma.org>; Blocker, Keith <Keith.Blocker@cityoftacoma.org>; Thoms, Robert <robert.thoms@cityoftacoma.org>; john.hines@cityoftacoma.org; kristina.walker@cityoftacoma.org; Hunter, Lillian <lillian.hunter@cityoftacoma.org>; conor.mccarthy@cityoftacoma.org; Beale, Chris <chris.beale@cityoftacoma.org>; catherine.ushka@cityoftacoma.org; Pauli, Elizabeth <elizabeth.pauli@cityoftacoma.org>; Derek Young <derek.young@piercecountywa.gov>; Marty Campbell <marty.campbell@piercecountywa.gov>; Amy Cruver <amy.cruver@piercecountywa.gov>; Dave.morrell@piercecountywa.gov; Hans Zeiger <hans.zeiger@piercecountywa.gov>; Ryan Mello <ryan.mello@piercecountywa.gov>; Jani Hitchen <jani.hitchen@piercecountywa.gov>; Bruce Dammeier <bruce.dammeier@piercecountywa.gov>
Cc: Linda Stewart <lstewart@ci.tacoma.wa.us>; Griffith, Allyson <AGriffith@cityoftacoma.org>; Tidball, Tiegan <ttidball@cityoftacoma.org>; Robinson, Jeff <jrobinson@cityoftacoma.org>; Medlen, Felicia <FMedlen@cityoftacoma.org>; Heather Moss <heather.moss@piercecountywa.gov>; John Barbee <john.barbee@piercecountywa.gov>; Bryan Schmid <bryan.schmid@piercecountywa.gov>; Jeff Rodgers <jeff.rodgers@piercecountywa.gov>; Gerrit Nyland <gerrit.nyland@piercecountywa.gov>; Joseph van Dyk <joseph.vandyk@piercecountywa.gov>
Subject: Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness: Evergreen Encampment Sweep

 

Mayor Woodards and Council Members,

Chair Young and Council Members,

City Manager Pauli

County Executive Dammeier

 

The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness formally approved the attached Statement on Sweeps at our regular Friday Oct. 15, 2021 meeting.  Our statement has been reviewed by the Civil Rights section of the National Coalition for the Homeless and by the National Homelessness Law Center.  We are using this statement as the basis for virtually convening all of the outreach teams, activists, and volunteers engaged with the residents of the Evergreen Encampment - 6th & L and 6th & M.

 

I am running a distribution list of about 40 individuals representing 20+ different organizations and groups.  Just like our work during the June Heat Event, I'm updating everyone as new information comes in.  The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department responded to our request for a vaccine clinic prior to the sweep and will hold one with the Tacoma Rescue Mission Outreach Team from 11-1pm on Oct. 22.  Our Coalition is providing the $50 COVID vacccination incentive cash cards to anyonne vaccnated on Oct. 22. The Evergreen State College will hold a Healling Circle on Oct. 21.   The Lived Experience Coaltion also has incentive cards and we are coordinating with them.  Their cards have a broader use.

 

We have invited all Outreach workers whether City, nonprofit, activist or volunteer to try to create a ByNameList so that we can track each resident of the Evergreen Encampment from their current residence to their future one.

 

This is the first Sweep I can remember when we actually had a variety of options including the new tiny houses at TEMS on 69th & Proctor plus Shiloh's Retreat Center.  

 

With representaties of the Lived Experience Coalition, The Evergreen State College, and our Coalition to End Homelessness we have set up an Evergreen Encampment Coordinating Committee.  Our goal is to help residents relocate with as much dignity as possible and as safely as possible.

 

We will revisit our Statement on Sweeps after this Sweep.  

 

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

Thank you for your work,

Maureen

 

Maureen Howard

Senior Policy Analyst

Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness

3320 S. 8th St.

Tacoma, WA 98405

 

Tel.  253-756-8146 LL

        253-255-2200 cell

 

Living in Tacoma or Pierce County and Behind on rent?
Rental Assistance | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

 

"I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change.  I'm changing the things I cannot accept."  Angela Davis

 

"Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, Necessary trouble."  John Lewis