Puyallup Task Force to Study Impact of Adult Homelessness

With another season of Freezing Nights behind it, Puyallup is set to study the impacts of homelessness in the community this summer.

The city has created the framework for an official task force on adult homelessness, which would hold twice-monthly public meetings to discuss local concerns, public safety issues and resource availability.

Members of the task force will include officials from the Puyallup Police Department, business owners, a Freezing Nights representative, mental health provider and local citizens. They will work with other affected agencies, like Good Samaritan Hospital and the Puyallup Library. 

The outcome? Specific regulations that address the negative impacts of Puyallup's adult homeless population, according to the task force memo. The first presentation to the city council has a target date of July 9, 2013.

In the cold winter months, homeless adults from across Pierce County seek refuge in Puyallup for the Freezing Nights program, led by the Puyallup Homeless Coalition. They often travel by bus and are transported from the Sounder Station to participating churches and organizations, where they are given a hot meal and a place to sleep.

While the Freezing Nights program no tolerance for drugs and alcohol, intoxicated homeless adults visiting town for the program keep police busy at the Puyallup Library, Sounder Station and Pioneer Park, as indicated in the Police Blotter, compiled every week with reports from Puyallup Police. (Read archived editions of the Puyallup Police Blotter on Patch).

Two years ago, the Homeless Coalition estimated that at least 521 people are homeless in Puyallup, and hundreds more are at risk. With all the need, less than 200 shelter beds are available, according to the group's draft strategic plan.

Citizen representatives who are interested in applying to be part of the task force can apply before 5 p.m. Tuesday. City leaders would like to see a member of the community on the panel who lives close to a participating Freezing Nights church. 

The following focus questions are ones the city hopes the Task Force can answer. How do you think Puyallup should address impacts of the homeless in the community? Tell us in the comments section below.  

1. What are the current impacts of chronic/adult homelessness to various sectors of thecommunity?

2. What services are currently provided for homeless adults within the City of Puyallup, and do they include resources for substance abuse, mental health, etc.?

3. In what ways could current homeless programs be changed to reduce impacts?

4. Are there untapped partnerships that could decrease negative impacts? 

5. Should the current 48-hour exemption in the encampment ordinance be revisited and/or should other code amendments be enacted?