Tacoma nonprofits, housing services win big in capital budget

“…Tacoma Housing Authority is grateful for a $3 million Housing Trust Fund grant from the state to contribute to a $23 million housing for homeless youth and young-adult campus called Arlington Drive, planned for a 3.5-acre lot at the corner of South 38th Street and Portland Avenue. The City of Tacoma, Pierce County, and THA are contributing to the overall budget. THA Executive Director Michael Mirra said the majority of funds will derive from private sources: tax credit investor equity and commercial debt.

‘This campus will be a major step forward in addressing a growing crisis of homelessness among youth in Pierce County and the Puget Sound region,’ Mirra said. ‘These young people are not in school, not working, not in a hospital, not in jail, and without a home. They have fallen off the radar, in many cases, into a life of prostitution, trafficking, and drug addiction. This campus will give them a second chance at a reasonable adolescence, an education, a job, and a self-sufficient adulthood without fear. This campus will be a chance for Pierce County to show how to do this hard work right and at scale.’

The campus is anticipated to serve more than 500 youth ages 12-17 daily with the 12-bed Crisis Residential Center. In addition, the campus will provide 40 apartments to rent for homeless young adults ages 18-24. THA will provide rental assistance during their stay and a housing voucher to help them find new housing when they leave. Social enterprises for job training will be provided.”

Article written by Tacoma Weekly News.