Tacoma Housing Authority Partners With Tacoma Public Schools to Prioritize Local Households for Affordable Housing

Tacoma households experiencing homelessness and housing instability will be placed in THA’s local preference waitlist

TACOMA, WA – March 28, 2024 – Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish and collaborate on the creation of a local waitlist preference that prioritizes families of TPS students who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability for housing assistance. Through this partnership, THA and TPS seek to expand access to housing programs for vulnerable, low-income local households who are experiencing multiple barriers and the greatest marginalization in the community.

“Tacoma School District has the largest number of students experiencing homelessness in Washington State,” said Tacoma Housing Authority Associate Director of Rental Assistance Fernando Ruiz. “With this newly established local waitlist preference, these students and their families in dire need of stable and affordable housing will be able to get assistance when they need it most.”

TPS will identify and refer eligible applicants to THA’s local preference waitlist who meet THA eligibility criteria, as provided, and who are receiving supportive services through the District.

“We know that a lack of stable housing has a direct impact on student learning and well-being,” said Tacoma Public Schools Director Taj Jensen, who oversees support for students qualifying for McKinney-Vento services. “For students to succeed in the classroom and after graduation, their basic needs must first be met. We are grateful for the continued partnership with THA to remove this critical barrier.”

Eligible applicants will be placed in THA’s local preference waitlist and will be offered the first available THA housing resource. THA’s commitment to provide housing resources outlined in the MOU is conditioned on the continued availability of funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and THA’s voucher utilization needs.