Pierce County (hereafter known as “the County”) is seeking proposals for Homeless Prevention Services that will serve low-income households at-risk of homelessness who lack a safe and stable place to sleep. This RFP includes funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This is a one-time funding opportunity to make the biggest impact for at-risk households in Pierce County. Interested proposers should design an innovative program to meet the most need for vulnerable populations.

Funding for this grant is allocated for a 24-month period between January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025. Contracts may begin earlier as deemed necessary by the County to meet the needs of the community.

In March 2022, Pierce County officially adopted the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness (CPEH) that aims to document the scale of need and design a system to prevent and end homelessness in Pierce County. 

We know that increased funding for services and more affordable housing units are needed to drive real sustainable solutions. Pierce County does not have enough housing for all its residents, and much of its housing is not accessible to our lowest earners, but we are on the way to making significant change through historic funding investments in housing and homelessness.

This plan aims to achieve “functional zero” – a state where any person starting a new episode of homelessness has immediate access to shelter and a permanent housing intervention. The plan outlines the following six goals:

1. Create a unified homeless response system, including a unified regional approach with central decision-making authority of funding and services.
2. Ensure programs are truly effective for all populations.
3. Prevent homelessness.
4. Ensure adjacent systems address needs of people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.
5. Meet immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness where they are becoming homeless – not requiring them to leave the support networks in their communities to access services.
6. Expand the permanent housing system to meet the need.

"Targeted universalism” is a methodology underlying much of this work. Targeted universalism sets a single target for everyone – in this case, stable housing. However, different groups need different supports to reach that goal. Programs must be designed to meet the unique need of everyone entering homelessness.