Frustrations emerge at pace of building unified approach to homelessness in Pierce County

During the December 11 Select Committee on Homelessness meeting, Pierce County Council member Marty Campbell expressed his frustration regarding the slow progress of the Unified Regional Approach (URA) to address homelessness. The county has allocated $1 million to hire Uncommon Bridges, a consulting firm responsible for guiding the initiative, but the timeline for actionable solutions appears to extend over several years. Campbell highlighted the urgency of the matter, pointing out that many homeless individuals continue to suffer on the streets, with estimates indicating hundreds dying annually due to inaction. The URA aims to streamline efforts among local governments and community organizations to create a more effective response to homelessness. Representatives from Uncommon Bridges presented their initial findings and outlined a three-pronged approach focused on government alignment, community stakeholder engagement, and the adoption of best practices in homelessness intervention.

Despite these plans, some council members expressed skepticism about achieving consensus among the involved jurisdictions. This article underscores the urgency of addressing homelessness in Pierce County and the challenges in implementing a coordinated strategy, raising concerns about whether the proposed timeline will yield timely results for those in need.