Pierce County Council support for tiny house villages is divided across party lines

The Pierce County Council’s Community Development & Environment Committee meeting on August 5. Chair Robyn Denson is at center.

Yesterday the Pierce County Council’s Community Development and Environment Committee voted 3 to 2 to approve zoning code amendments to enable the construction of tiny house villages and tent encampments in unincorporated parts of Pierce County. The Committee is chaired by CM Robyn Denson, a Democrat, who supported the amendments proposed by Council President and Democrat Ryan Mello. CM Marty Campbell, also a Democrat, voted to approve the changes. Even after hearing testimony from many speakers about the need for tiny house villages to serve people who are unhoused, and that solving homelessness should have bipartisan support, the two Republicans on the Committee, CM Dave Morell and CM Amy Cruver, voted no. The Committee’s recommendation now goes to full Council for a vote on August 20. 

The January Point In Time Count documented 2,661 homes people in Pierce County, a 23% increase from the last count. County Executive Bruce Dammeier’s Human Services Dept. had issued a request for proposal for a micro shelter village and LIHI was awarded the funds. LIHI purchased land in Spanaway using county funds and now code changes are needed in order to set up the village. 

Please contact the Pierce County Council at: pccouncil@piercecountywa.gov. Ask that they support Ordinance O2024-540s so that a tiny house village can be built to serve people needing shelter in unincorporated parts of Pierce County. The majority of shelters are currently located in the city of Tacoma. Pierce County residents need shelter too.