During a recent government meeting, John Grant, Chief Strategy Officer for the Low Income Housing Institute (Lehigh), expressed strong support for a proposed ordinance aimed at establishing temporary housing communities in Pierce County. The ordinance, identified as 02024, is seen as a crucial step in addressing the homelessness crisis affecting the region.

Grant announced plans for a new initiative to build 50 tiny house units in Spanaway, which could provide shelter for 80 to 100 individuals annually. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing that over 200 homeless individuals in Pierce County died last year due to a lack of shelter and services. Grant highlighted the success of Lehigh's existing tiny house villages in Tacoma, which are designed to facilitate a transition to permanent housing through on-site case management and support services.

He urged the council to pass the ordinance, stating that without the necessary code changes, the shelter project could be jeopardized. Grant contrasted tiny house villages with unsanctioned encampments, asserting that the former offers a structured and secure environment that promotes stability and safety for both residents and the surrounding community.

Following Grant's remarks, Courtney Love, a representative of the Lived Experience Coalition, echoed the importance of tiny homes in providing safer living conditions for those experiencing homelessness. Love emphasized the coalition's commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and highlighted the broader benefits of tiny homes, including improved health outcomes and reduced emergency service costs.

The discussions at the meeting underscored a growing recognition of the need for innovative housing solutions to combat homelessness in Pierce County, with advocates calling for immediate action to support the proposed ordinance.