In the News
KING 5 News: “Village for chronically homeless moves forward in Spanaway following legal challenges”
SPANAWAY, Wash. — A project aimed at creating a community for chronically homeless individuals is moving forward in Spanaway after about a year of legal challenges.
The Tacoma Rescue Mission’s “Good Neighbor Village” will eventually include 285 cottages on an 86-acre site. The first 15 cottages are expected to be completed by October 2026, with an initial focus on housing veterans experiencing homelessness in the Spanaway area.
“Our focal point is for individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness,” said Stephen Stanford, the project manager for Good Neighbor Village. “They’re going to have some disability, whether it’s mental health, substance use, or physical disability.”
The cottages will range from 300 to 525 square feet, with residents expected to pay rent. The gated community will also provide employment opportunities, along with amenities such as a community garden and an art center.
The project has faced opposition from residents concerned about environmental impacts. In response, the Rescue Mission expanded buffer zones around wetlands.
“At this point, yes, it is settled and we’re ready to develop,” Stanford said. “We’ve passed our last legal barrier to this point, and they gave us permission to do site planning, site development, and now we’re able to get out here to start developing.”
Pierce County has seen homelessness nearly triple in the past five years, according to the county’s annual point-in-time count. The Rescue Mission said it is seeing a growing number of elderly people seeking shelter, a group the new village will prioritize.
“When you see somebody in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s, they’re having difficulty just surviving,” Stanford said. “That’s a huge gap for us in our society that we have to look into and say, ‘Why is this happening?’”
Good Neighbor Village is modeled after Community First Village in Austin, Texas. Funding includes more than $22 million from Pierce County, along with support from private donors.
More than $22 million in funding for the Good Neighbor Village has come from Pierce County. Additional funding has come from private donors.
Read original article and watch video interview with Stephen Stanford, GNV Project Manager.
