TACOMA, WA – March 22, 2021
A new grant from Umpqua Bank will help boost services at the Tacoma Housing Authority’s newly opened Arlington Apartments for young adults 18 to 24 who are – or are at risk of being – homeless or transitioning from foster care. Many of them are parents of babies or toddlers.
At a time when the need has never been greater, the grant will help Arlington Apartments residents succeed, not only as tenants, but also as parents, students, wage earners, and builders of assets. It will help provide them with childcare, job searches, distance learning, and other support they need on the way to a successful adulthood.
“We sincerely appreciate Umpqua Bank’s shared community values and astute investment to help us provide flexible housing solutions and wrap-around services for the young people at Arlington Drive,” said Michael Mirra, Tacoma Housing Authority’s Executive Director. “This grant will help support them, many of them parents, by funding the services they need for a second chance at an education, an occupation, and a life without dependency or fear.”
“Tacoma Housing Authority rose to the challenge of innovating during a challenging year, and Umpqua Bank is honored to assist,” said Caitlin Back, Umpqua Bank Vice President and Community Development Officer. “THA is doing impressive work to help families build – and build back – financial stability, one community member at a time.”
Tacoma Housing Authority is one of three nonprofits awarded a $100K grant to continue adapting its services to strengthen the economic recovery following the pandemic. The other two grant recipients are Ore.-based NeighborWorks Umpqua and Calif.-based Alchemist Community Development Corporation.
About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (UMPQ), announced its grants in December 2020, recognizing nonprofits who adapted and expanded services to underrepresented communities related to the pandemic and wildfires. The other two grant recipients were Roseburg, Ore.-based NeighborWorks Umpqua and Sacramento, Calif.- based Alchemist Community Development Corporation.
About Tacoma Housing Authority
Established in 1940, Tacoma Housing Authority provides high-quality, stable and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need. It does this in ways that help them prosper and help our communities develop equitably. THA develops and manages real estate and provides rental housing. In partnership with thousands of private landlords, it helps families pay the rent in the private rental market. It delivers supportive services to help families succeed as “tenants, parents, students, wage earners and builders of assets who can live without assistance.” THA seeks to do its work in ways that help our community be an “attractive place to live, work, attend school, shop and play,” and that help Tacoma be “safe, vibrant, prosperous, attractive and just.”