In 2022, more than 800 young people between the ages of 12 and 24 experienced homelessness in Pierce County, Washington. Many youth end up on the streets because of neglect, abuse, or discrimination in their home environment. Those who are in foster care often have nowhere to go once they turn 18. Without a stable living environment, youth and young adults experiencing homelessness are more likely to engage in risky behavior and are more vulnerable to assault or abuse. They also are more prone to substance abuse, mental disorders, and suicide. Homelessness naturally leads to significant disruptions in education, which also can have long-term consequences. People of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community are significantly more likely than their peers to experience homelessness as youth and young adults. To serve these vulnerable populations, the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) developed the Arlington Drive Youth Campus in Tacoma, which opened in the summer of 2020. The development, which won the Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Chairman’s Award in 2021, provides a temporary housing center for youth and an apartment building for young adults. Onsite wraparound services support both populations. By helping unemployed young adults find jobs or homeless teenagers improve school grades, the Arlington Drive Youth Campus is fulfilling its primary goal to offer residents “a second chance at a life without exploitation.”
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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.”
Case Studies
HUD USER publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities, apply sustainable features and practices, and increase access to public transportation. The projects featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives. Each report outlines a project’s objectives and the development strategies used to achieve them.