The Tacoma City Council passed an amendment to expand areas where homeless encampments are prohibited. While some city leaders say the move is necessary given the recent loss of shelters, others worry the timing is inopportune.
While the city has made efforts to expand and improve its homeless-outreach efforts recently, the ordinance could change the way its outreach team operates.
The closure of a number of shelters in 2025 has reduced the areas in which camping is prohibited, and supporters of the expansion say that caused an uptick in encampments. Those opposed say the shelter closures have given the unhoused nowhere to go…