Mission

To build and manage a planned healing community that provides permanent safe housing and dignified care through onsite supportive services to Pierce County’s chronically homeless neighbors.

More Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

Discover answers to the most frequently asked questions about Good Neighbor Village, a transformative community with small homes and big hearts.

We believe that one of greatest causes of homelessness is a profound, catastrophic loss of family and a healthy community.

That’s why housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness should do more than just provide a roof and a bed. Our Village will develop a community with supportive services and amenities to help address an individual’s relational needs, empower them to build relationships with others, and experience restoration within a broader community.

The per-unit cost will be about half the cost of typical public housing. Most of the revenue needed for the project will come from private donations, not taxpayers. Further, for every person experiencing homelessness who is lifted permanently off the streets, there will a significant savings in the costs of law enforcement, medic contacts, and emergency room visits.

The Tacoma Rescue Mission will own and operate the village.

Yes. The Village will be fenced and a surveillance system will be in place. The entrance to the Village will be monitored by a dedicated security staff, who will also regularly monitor the grounds and immediate surrounding areas. Proactive staff and volunteer residents will mitigate community safety concerns. The most effective means of ensuring a safe environment will be the pride residents take in their neighborhoods.

To live in the village, residents will be expected to pay rent, be a good neighbor, and obey the law.

Residents will have onsite:

  • Mental health and addiction recovery treatment
  • Job training and employment opportunities
  • Case management
  • Volunteers and staff living alongside residents in each neighborhood to engage formerly homeless residents and build community

Yes, the project will comply with all applicable county, state, federal, and environmental laws.

There will be no impact to the wetlands. The community will be built completely on non-wetland areas which are completely standard to build upon. All buildings and infrastructure will be on land that is outside of any wetland boundaries.

Short answer, no. Persons living on the streets of Spanaway will be prioritized for the first 50 homes. This Village will provide more opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness to transition into permanent stability and lower the impacts of cost currently associated with the areas homeless population in Spanaway.

We have listened to the community and agree the village will be better served by sewer. We changed the proposal and the entire village will be connected to the nearby sewer line.

The Village is near busy Pacific Ave. It will be served by a shuttle van to take residents to services and the nearby Pierce Transit bus stop and transit center a few minutes away. A behavioral health and primary care clinic for those insured by Medicaid is less than 5 minutes from the village and shopping is less than 10 minutes from the Village.

Potential resident applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking into account last known address, duration of time spent homeless, disability, veteran status, and criminal record. For those with a criminal background, the review team will consider multiple factors, including nature of crimes committed, rehabilitation efforts, engagement with therapeutic resources, etc. We are deeply committed to the safety and security of the community within and surrounding the village. The application review team will include a member with extensive law enforcement experience to advise the process.

The County’s residential density provisions allow the number of contemplated microhomes and will not violate zoning laws.

The completed project will provide a total of 285 homes to formerly unhoused individuals and Missionals (volunteer residents).

The housing will not be free to residents. All are expected to pay rent and can work onsite to earn a dignified wage to help with the cost of rent.

The Village will take several years to complete and likely a minimum of 6 years to reach full residential capacity. The completed project will house 257 formerly unhoused individuals and 28 volunteer residents (285 homes in total). We will use approximately 27 of the 89 acres.

To build a transformational community, including dignified homes, onsite services and employment opportunities, and provide a secure and safe environment, at least 20 acres is needed. The K-Mart is approximately 11.7 acres and cannot accommodate the necessary services.

Parking will be provided onsite for residents and staff based on existing county code parking requirements. A traffic study was completed and submitted with the Conditional Use Permit to the county. The plan includes mitigation steps to help with traffic and speed on Spanaway Loop Road.

We have met with JBLM representatives and they concluded, as do we, that the site is not within the McChord take-off and landing flight areas, is outside of the airport clear zone, and does not produce levels of noise that might negatively impact residents. The residential area of the site is far removed from busy Spanaway Loop Road and is quiet and relaxing. We have also sought perspective on this from professional therapists who work closely with the issues of homelessness and trauma. They have advised that this property is a peaceful therapeutic location.

The project underwent SEPA review process through Washington State Department of Ecology (WSDOE).   As a result of the review, Pierce County (the responsible official) issued a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (MDNS) for the project on 11/16/23. The MDNS issued by the County was appealed on 12/14/23.  The appeal was denied by the County Hearing Examiner on 03/06/24.  

The MDNS includes 7 mitigation measures required for the project in order to prevent significant impacts on the environment.  Measures 1-4 are required prior final occupancy of the first building in phase 1. Measures 5-7 are not required until final occupancy of first building in phase 2. 

Here is a summary of the mitigation measures: 

  • The direction of vehicles turning into and out of the site at the northern access will be restricted to limit impacts of through vehicles on Spanaway Loop Road. The project will install lighting on road connected to existing circuitry as necessary to adequately illuminate entrances. 
  • The project will pay Traffic Impact Fees to mitigate increased traffic volumes on County roads from increased traffic associated with the first phase in accordance with Pierce County Code. 
  • Signs will be posted in common use areas and educational material will be provided  to residents to avoid illicit discharges to the County Sewer system.  The language used on the signs and in education material will be coordinated with Pierce County Utilites. 
  • The project will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Spanaway Loop Road and 174th St. South to mitigate the additional traffic volumes created. The roundabout will be constructed prior to either the 101st village resident or use of either the agriculture or civic buildings.  The design and construction of the roundabout will conform to County and WSDOT requirements. The roundabout will include crosswalks, pedestrian refuge areas, flashing beacons, and illumination to provide safe crossing areas for pedestrians.  
  • The direction of vehicles turning into and out of the site at the southern access will be restricted to limit impacts of through vehicles on Spanaway Loop Road. The project will install lighting on road connected to existing circuitry as necessary to adequately illuminate entrances. 
  • If needed, the project will dedicate Right of Way to the County to keep access sight lines within County Right of Way. 
  • The project will pay Traffic Impact Fees to mitigate increased traffic volumes on County roads from increased traffic associated with the second phase in accordance with Pierce County Code. 

Please refer to WSDOE SEPA #202305493 for additional information.  

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