Tacoma is confronting a serious challenge as city leaders announce the potential closure of over 300 homeless shelter beds by 2025 due to ongoing budget issues. A recent city council meeting revealed that 307 beds across five shelters could be eliminated if sufficient funding is not secured. Furthermore, two additional shelters are already scheduled to close in the spring, which could result in the loss of a third of the city’s available shelter beds. City officials are actively seeking financial assistance from the Washington State Legislature, stressing the urgent need for support to keep these vital shelters operational. The most affected facilities include the Forging Path Community, which will lose 135 beds, and the Tacoma Emergency Micro-Shelter Site No.

3, which will see a reduction of 60 beds. Currently, Tacoma has $3 million allocated to operate its homeless shelters until mid-2025, but an estimated $6 million is required to maintain all existing sites. Caleb Carbone from the Neighborhood and Community Services Department emphasized the critical nature of this funding request as the city navigates its budgeting challenges. With the deadline for funding approaching, city leaders are raising alarms about the dire consequences for the homeless population if financial support is not secured.