Pierce County's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a strategic vision for housing and community development for the county. This document summarizes the plan so that citizens in the community can have a quick overview of the housing and community development problems; the 5 year broad objectives and actions proposed to meet those goals; and specific projects for carrying out this strategy during 1995.

Action Plan

The Action Plan is based on a community needs assessment conducted by the Pierce County Department of Community Services that describes: the housing market; housing, community development and public service needs of the homeless, low-income and special needs populations; and provides information on other community needs throughout Pierce County. This plan includes a 1-year action plan for 63 specific projects using $6.718 million of CDBG, ESG and HOME funds to: promote maintenance of existing housing; the expansion of the housing supply and social services for very low, low and moderate income persons and families; shelter and services for the homeless and those with special needs; development of community facilities and infrastructure for low-income communities; and planning and economic development activities.

Citizen Participation

Citizen participation in Pierce County's CDBG/ESG program is accomplished through the Citizen's Advisory Board (CAB), a volunteer citizen's committee appointed by the County Executive to review community needs and recommend CDBG/ESG projects to the Executive for funding. Formal written advertisements for public meetings and public hearings are given at least seven (7) days in advance of the scheduled meeting. All public notices include: the type of meeting (Public Meeting or Public Hearing) and its purpose. Notices also include a contact person who can answer questions or make arrangements for persons requiring special assistance such as those with physical disabilities or who are non-english speaking persons. Advertisements are placed in the official County Newspaper of record and another newspaper of general circulation.

A schedule of the CAB planning process is published annually and is sent to: each city in the Pierce County Consortium, neighborhood groups representing communities where a majority of residents are lower income, and organizations which provide services to lower-income persons, minorities and individuals with disabilities, and to any individual formally requesting such information.

Pierce County is southernmost of the four counties generally referred to as the central Puget Sound Region (the other counties are King, Snohomish, and Kitsap). Pierce County comprises a total land mass of 1,675 square miles and has a projected population of 660,200. As such, it ranks 23rd in physical size among Washington counties. The largest city in Pierce County is Tacoma, with a projected population of 184,500. Tacoma is a separate entitlement community and is not a part of Pierce County's Community Development Consortium. Eighteen other incorporated cities and towns, which along with the unincorporated area of the County make up the Community Development Consortium, have a combined population of 79,300. Three new cities with a combined population of approximately 100,000 (Lakewood, University Place and Edgewood) will be incorporated in 1995 and 1996 and are expected to join the Consortium at that time.

There are a number of federal, state and other facilities located in Pierce County which have a significant impact on the County and the services it provides. Included among these are: Ft. Lewis, McChord AFB, Mt. Rainier National Park, Snoqualmie National Forest, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, McNeil Island Corrections Center, Washington Corrections Center for Women, Western States Hospital, Camp Murray, the University of Washington-Tacoma, and the Washington State University Research and Extension Center.

Per capita income in Pierce County was $15,546 in 1989, $2,046 (11.6%) below that of the nation and 2,150 (12.1%) below the statewide average, ranking 16th among Washington's 39 counties. Because of the large number of federal and state facilities located here, the County's per-capita tax base only ranks 36th out of 39 counties. This means that the County collects less taxes per-capita than all but three other counties and, because of the nature of those facilities, requires a significantly larger per-capita outlay for services.

Conditions

The cost of providing safe, decent, and affordable housing has become increasingly an issue for many of Pierce County residents. In the past, it was a common assumption that only the very-low-income households found it difficult to obtain decent housing. This is not the case in Pierce County today.

• For many the opportunity to own their own home is rapidly becoming impossible. Between 1985 and 1990 single-family home prices increased as much as 89 percent in pierce County. As of April 1993, the average sale price of a new single-family home was $123,190. In 1995, the average selling price of a comparable new home was $140,457.

• Rental rates have steadily risen, by as much as 31%, between April 1985 and April 1990. The average two-bedroom apartment including utilities is now $522 per month. For many facing increasing rental rates, the chance to move into homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult.

• Countywide, over 26,108 households (18%) are considered very-low-income. Forty-four percent of all households are considered to be in the moderate-to very-low-income ranges.

Housing Needs

Households in Pierce County will find an increasing need for affordable housing, especially in the lower-income ranges, in large families, and in the elderly population.

The special-needs population will continue to grow, and there is need for a planned approach to developing appropriate housing to meet the variety of situations that exist.

Homeless services and facilities, which are currently concentrated in the city of Tacoma, need to be developed in other areas of the county.

Housing Market Conditions

Significant increases in the cost of housing for both rental and single-family units will have a dramatic effect on those at the middle-income range and below. With the increase of the military population in this area, vacancy rates can be expected to remain extremely low. It is expected that there will be extensive competition for affordable rentals throughout all areas of the county.

• New construction at market prices is beyond the reach of the majority of citizens. Income needed to support the purchase of a new home is approximately 147% of the median family income for the county.

Affordable Housing Needs

There is a strong need shown for the continuation and increase in the availability of all forms of rental assistance. These programs would best benefit the low-income and cost-burdened segments of the population. In the nest few years, given the rising prices of rental units and the projections of the demand for these units, subsidies of all types will play an ever-increasing role in making housing affordable for an even larger portion of our community.

Homeless Needs

Based on the 1995 homeless count, the following general needs have been identified:

• The currently sheltered population of homeless families requires a wide array of services and housing assistance in order to successfully remove themselves from their current situation. These families need assistance in locating affordable rental housing opportunities and in some cases, will require subsidies to pay for move-in costs, access to shopping, schools for their children, case management, transportation, and other related costs including health care and food.

• Homeless individuals in addition to all the above needs may require additional counseling.

• Unsheltered homeless families with children and individuals need emergency shelter or transitional housing that is safe.

• Safe havens such as "wet" or "dry" homes are needed for mentally ill persons who are also late-stage dependent on drugs and alcohol.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The public housing program operated by the Pierce County Housing Authority consists of acquisition of existing three- and four-bedroom, single-family dwellings with the express purpose of housing large families. The local Housing Authorities do not operate the traditional form of public housing, i.e. apartments or "projects." Instead, the only public housing available is in single-family houses that are rented to lower-income tenants.

The census information indicates that 21% (19,893) of the owner-occupied units have housing problems, which covers a broad range of issues and does not represent the varying degrees of housing need in the population. Of this total, according to the data from the County Assessor's office, the county assumes 29% of the total units with housing problems are in substandard condition and 71% of the units with housing problems have the potential of developing a substandard condition.

The census information indicates that 37% (18,617) of the renter-occupied units were identified by the occupant as having housing problems. of this total, the county estimates 29% (5,716 units) are in substandard condition and 71% (13,994 units) have housing problems that have the potential of developing into a serious situation.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

In Pierce County, there are several significant issues that affect the affordability of housing, including land use and policies and community expectations.

• Land-Use Regulations: Pierce County has recently completed a Comprehensive Plan designed to manage Pierce County's growth over the next two decades. The plan contains nine closely related elements including Housing, Land-Use, Economic Development, Environment, Transportation, Capital Facilities, Utilities, Rural Lands, and community Plans.

• Social/Economic Discrimination Issues: "NIMBYs."

• Community Standards/Expectations: An issue that has become an obstacle to affordable housing is a growing belief that the bigger the house, better it must be. Today "Adequate" housing has come to mean larger lot sizes, extra rooms, and more amenities for entertainment.

Fair Housing

There are no overt discriminatory impediments to fair housing opportunities against individuals in protected classes. Persons that are low income, however, are less able to compete for safe, decent and affordable housing in the current market place.

Lead-Based Paint

The potential lead-based paint contamination of 70% of the existing housing stock identifies a serious concern, and cost-effective abatement methods should be implemented.

Community Development Needs

The Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), the members of which are appointed by the Pierce County Executive and confirmed by the County Council, reviews community needs and recommends the allocation of available resources to meet those needs. Basic community development needs for the County were identified during an extended planning process which took place during 1993 and 1994 in which communities, agencies, and individuals from throughout the County, and representing all segments of society, provided testimony regarding community development and public service needs. This process resulted in the adoption, in 1994, of a 5-year Community Development Plan establishing investment priorities and strategies for Pierce County. Annually, the CAB reviews and evaluates current needs, develops an investment strategy for that year, and recommends how available resources should be allocated to meet expressed needs and the 5-year priorities and strategies.

The goals of the Five-Year Strategy for Pierce County are to strengthen partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit organizations, to enable them to provide decent housing, establish and maintain a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for every Pierce County resident, particularly for those in the lower income ranges. The goals in general terms are:

• Provide decent Housing.
• Provide a suitable living environment.
• Expand economic opportunities.

Vision for Change

In 1987, a Strategic Economic Development Task Force developed a vision for the future of Pierce County and recommended that this vision should continue to guide future economic development. The vision developed in 1987 states:

• Pierce County exports more local products and services than it imports. This positive balance of trade results in an expanding economy, rising real property values, a great variety of job and career opportunities, higher per-capita income, and an improving standard of living for residents. The County has become a magnet for families and individuals of character, education, and achievement. The quality of life in Pierce County has made it a preferred place to live and work in the Pacific Northwest. We have removed unnecessary delays, indecision, and uncertainty and helped bring predictability into business decision making. We have provided for long-term gains in education, job training, and child care.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

Based on an analysis of the needs identified in the previous sections, the following Five- Year priorities for delivering affordable housing assistance to lower income household, and for delivering community development programs and services to individuals, families and communities in Pierce County has been developed. These priorities are established within the main goal of providing decent housing and a suitable living environment for all Pierce County residents.

Housing Priorities

• Maintain and enhance the existing stock of owner-and renter-occupied housing.

• Provide subsidies in a variety of formats to assist low-income, cost-burdened renters and homeowners.

• Support and create first-time homeownership opportunities for low-income Pierce County residents.

• Provide technical assistance and information to citizens, non-profit developers, and service providers about housing-related programs and assistance available to them.

• Promote fair housing and seek ways to prevent discrimination based on race, economic status, and/or disability in the development, acquisition, and maintenance of affordable housing.

• Maintain, enhance, and expand the supply of special-needs housing.

• Implement, create, and provide referral to programs that offer supportive services to meet the housing needs of the lower-income populations in Pierce county.

• Create partnerships in public, private, and non-profit sectors to produce, maintain, and enhance the supply of affordable and supportive housing.

• Maintain, enhance, and expand the supply of facilities and services for the homeless.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

• Provide services and facilities which promote self sufficiency for low-income communities, individuals and families.

• Provide crisis intervention and prevention activities for at risk children, youth and their families.

• Provide basic human needs for low-income individuals and families and reduce their isolation in the community.

• Foster economic development opportunities for businesses and individuals in accordance with the jobs based economy goals of the County's Comprehensive Plan.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

Pierce County Department of Community Services includes the Offices of Community Action, Community Development, and Housing Programs. It is the lead agency for implementing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investments Partnership Act (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESGP), and other federal funding to the Pierce County Urban Consortium.

Piece County's One-Year Action Plan allocates $6,321,000 from the CDBG, ESG, and HOME grants and $397,000 from program income to 54 specific projects. The Action Plan identifies the specific projects and amounts to be funded by the grants and identifies the annual priorities addressed by those projects. Below are some highlights:

Housing

• Intercommunity Housing Agency - Acquire or construct approximately 120 units permanent housing.

• Tacoma Rescue Mission - Construct 13 units of transitional housing.

• Pierce County Housing Repair Program - Provide rehabilitation and/or repair to approximately 800 households.

• Pierce County Affordable Housing - Will acquire and renovate two structures to provide 5 units of permanent housing and 5 units of transitional housing for homeless pregnant and parenting teens.

Community Development

• Kapowsin Community Water Company - Replace approximately 6000 lineal feet of water main, hydrants, valves and appurtenances and install emergency fire flow pump in area of predominantly low-income.

• The City of Roy will prepare a comprehensive sewer plan for the city, which will benefit all 148 of the City's households.

• Pierce County Community Development Corporation - will assist for-profit and micro-enterprise employers to create or retain jobs in Pierce County for low-income persons.

• The City of Buckley will repair heating system, replace roof, and make accessible the senior center facility.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects. .