Human Services implements the City's initiatives and oversees the programs it funds by building on and promoting the capacity, skills, and strengths of people in neighborhoods and other social networks to help meet the needs of Tacoma residents. This section also addresses the needs of homeless individuals and families by encouraging the development of strategies for linking persons served to available housing resources or helping them develop the resources and skills to be more stable in their housing.
Planning & Contracting
This section is responsible for developing and implementing the Human Services Strategic Plan through a contracting process with local public and non-profit agencies. Every contract contains provisions for outcome based evaluations that measure the actual impact of the services in the lives of City residents.
Child Care Resource & Referral
This program works with parents, child care providers, businesses, and community organizations to help promote the availability, affordability, and quality of child care services in Pierce County. The program provides parents with child care referrals and information on evaluating quality child care, plus resources on various parenting issues. The program offers child care providers access to valuable training and support services for new or established programs.
Senior Services
The City of Tacoma owns and operates the Beacon and the Lighthouse Activity Centers for residents of Tacoma aged 50 years and older. Each center provides a comprehensive array of programs designed to improve and maintain health, stimulate learning, and provide socialization, recreational, and volunteer opportunities. Services include a daily nutritional lunch and transportation for those who no longer drive.
Crime Free Housing
The Tacoma Crime Free Housing Program (CFHP) is a public safety partnership that helps residents, owners and managers of rental housing, keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property.
Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Introduced by the United States Department of Justice, Weed & Seed is a national community development strategy that "weeds" out violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug trafficking in targeted high crime neighborhoods, then "seeds" in social and economic revitalization. Monthly Newsletter
Housing First
The objective of this program is to clean and permanently close encampment sites around the City using a Housing First model and to help homeless individuals move to permanent supportive housing.
Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness
The Coalition's goal is to end chronic homelessness in the next ten years, prevent its recurrence, and decrease its effect on the community. The Coalition also provides resources and referrals for many services vital to the homeless individual.
Community Based Services
Tacoma's community-based team approach to providing services is all about building on a neighborhood's strengths and personality: its people. Dedicated teams are partnering with community and business members in several high need areas of Tacoma to address issues of safety, housing, street design, neighborhood planning, commercial revitalization, and other priorities.
Human Services Commission
The commission conducts public hearings, accepts and reviews proposals, selects projects and makes recommendations to the City Council. Also serves as a resource to the City Council and City Staff for implementation of the City's Human Services Strategic Plan.
Email contact for this page
Human Rights and Human Services Department
747 Market Street, Room 836, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5151 (voice) | hrhs@cityoftacoma.org | 253-591-5050 (fax) | 253-591-5153 (TTY)
People with hearing or speech impairments may contact us through Washington Relay Services 1-800-833-6388 (TTY or ASCII); 1-800-833-6386 (VCO); or 1-877-833-6341 (STS)