Homelessness

Homelessness is a significant regional issue. Thousands of Puget Sound residents live without adequate shelter. Root causes for the crisis are numerous: economic instability, expensive housing, domestic abuse, mental health issues, addiction & substance abuse, and more. The City’s strategy to prevent homelessness is focused upstream. Our priority is to scaffold those at risk of homelessness before they hit the street. Following that, the City works with local partners to shelter and support the homeless.

The City’s Response
Questions from Residents
Comment on this Issue

Facts & Figures

In 2025, the Pierce County-wide Point in Time Count estimated 2,950 residents were experiencing homelessness – an 11% increase over 2024. The data demonstrates a correlation between rising home prices and rent and rising homelessness:

According to the 2025 Pierce County PIT Count, of the individuals experiencing homelessness in Pierce County:

  • 99 indicated they were sleeping in Lakewood
    • 71 were sheltered; and
    • 28 were unsheltered.
  • When asked why they were homeless, 786 (44% of those who answered) countywide named reasons related to loss of income or increase in housing costs.
  • The full 2025 Point in Time (PIT) Count results can be viewed here.

Programs & Partnerships

Pierce County Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness and “Unified Regional Approach”

On March 16, 2022, the Pierce County Council adopted its Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness. Its first goal is the creation of a regional approach to addressing and eliminating homelessness. In Fall 2026, Lakewood signed a Resolution of Intent to support the creation of a regional entity, the Unified Regional Approach (URA), focused on reducing homelessness:

Mission: “The URA empowers Pierce County governments to choose locally responsive solutions to respond to and prevent homelessness, while establishing a countywide framework that supports coordination and efficient use of shared resources.”

Information regarding the Unified Regional Approach can be found at https://www.unifiedregionalapproach.com/.

Uses of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds

The City of Lakewood received $13.77 million under the American Rescue Plan Act. Among other uses:

  • The City’s COVID-19 rental & mortgage assistance programs , funded in part with CARES Act and ARPA dollars, helped over 100 Lakewood households behind on rent or mortgage to catch up on bills and pay what they owed.
  • $300,000 in ARPA funds were obligated to the purchase of the Aspen Court, an emergency shelter open to Lakewood individuals until it was converted to be a permanent supportive housing facility.
  • $472,500 of ARPA funds were used for eviction prevention and related legal support provided to Lakewood residents by Tacomaprobono.
  • $1,000,000 of ARPA funds were used for the development of Good Neighbor Village, a community for the chronically homeless, including veterans.
  • $1,000,000 of ARPA funds were used to support construction of 25 low and extremely low income housing units by LASA in Lakewood.

Tacomaprobono Eviction Prevention Assistance

Lakewood hosts Tacomaprobono at City Hall weekly to provide services to Lakewood residents through its Housing Justice Project.

Rebuilding Together South Sound

The City of Lakewood contracts Rebuilding Together South Sound to repair homes for low-income households. The program helps Lakewood seniors to age in place.

Lakewood’s Promise

Lakewood’s Promise is an advisory board comprised of community stakeholders with a mandate to serve local children, youth, and families. The group prioritizes workforce development over direct aide to help wages keep pace with costs of living. The group works with local employers and schools to inform residents about career paths.

Housing Assistance

  • “Thank you so much for helping us get our rent paid. This has put my husband and my mind at ease and we can breathe a sigh of relief.  Back in 2018 my husband suffered two strokes, so with that alone it’s been a challenge. You helped us get out of a huge hole, and we are forever grateful.”  Kecia
  • “The rental assistance program has helped me and my family tremendously. I got behind because my child care was reduced to part time and my son had to do online learning. I did not have any other options besides reducing my hours at work, which made it difficult for me to pay my rent. Shannon was great to work with. Asking for help can be really humbling, Shannon showed me compassion and empathy. She truly cares and wants to help. – Thank you.”  Theresa
  • “The rental assistance program through the City of Lakewood brought our family great relief and a peace of mind by helping our household bring our rent to current. The overall process was smoother than I expected and Shannon has been very helpful and proactive in communicating the steps and necessary documentation required to move along each steps to the very end. Thank you Shannon and City of Lakewood for helping my family!”  Tofa