As a homeless outreach worker, I’ve witnessed first hand the misinformed and ridiculous policies our current City Council have proposed and implemented to address homelessness in Tacoma.
The camping ban and Homeless Engagement Alternative Liaison (HEAL) team interventions in particular have proven ineffective, fiscally irresponsible and harmful to people I know and care about. The feedback from homeless service providers, lived experience representatives and our unhoused neighbors has echoed the same.
Imagine my surprise to read the Oct. 1 piece published in The News Tribune highlighting the city of Tacoma’s service-first approach…