Shelter, Housing, and Behavioral Health Support Services

Pierce County is seeking proposals for delivering integrated behavioral health services to individuals or families who are living in places not meant for human habitation (e.g., streets, vehicles, encampments), and/or residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing, including those fleeing or recovering from domestic violence. Services must be provided to individuals with behavioral health disorders.

Projects applying to this RFP should deliver integrated behavioral health services to individuals or families who are living in places not meant for human habitation (e.g., streets, vehicles, encampments), and/or residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing, including those fleeing or recovering from domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or family violence.

Proposers must be either a Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) providing shelter and/or housing support services services or a faith-based organization providing shelter and/or housing support services, or a community agency employing licensed behavioral health providers who will provide services under this proposal. If your project is not providing shelter and/or housing support services, please go to the Peer Services, Services for Justice-Involved Adults, Outpatient and Housing Support Services, Wellness, Prevention, and Early Intervention, and/or Youth and School-Based Services RFPs, as applicable. Please see the Solicitations and Competitive Bids page.

This procurement is aligned with the Pierce County Behavioral Health Improvement Plan (BHIP), the 2026-2027 Pierce County Council's Behavioral Heath Focus Areas, and Pierce County's 2026-2027 behavioral health funding priorities.

All agencies may apply for funding through the Pierce County Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts (BHTC) Tax program. Proposed projects that serve more than one geographic area of the county will be given priority. Projects located in the City of Tacoma and serving only Tacoma residents must receive City of Tacoma funding.

Pierce County is particularly interested in proposals that leverage partnerships across systems of care; and demonstrate measurable improvements in stability, access, and long-term outcomes for diverse populations, including survivors of domestic violence.

In December 2020, the Pierce County Council passed Ordinance 2020-138 , authorizing a 1/10th of 1% BHTC tax in accordance with RCW 82.14.460 . The BHTC fund was established for the purpose of improving the quality of life for Pierce County residents and decreasing criminal justice system costs and emergency department use by reducing negative outcomes associated with untreated mental health and substance use disorders.

The BHTC fund has been established for the purpose of improving the quality of life for county residents and decreasing criminal justice system costs and emergency department use by reducing negative outcomes associated with untreated mental health and substance use disorders. Pierce County is committed to expanding access to case management, peer support, and therapeutic services for individuals in transition—ensuring that housing is integrated with the essential supports needed for long-term stability and recovery.

However, Pierce County continues to experience significant overlap between homelessness, housing instability, and behavioral health challenges. Individuals with untreated or undertreated mental health and substance use disorders are disproportionately represented in the homeless population, and without stable housing, recovery and treatment outcomes are difficult to sustain. Supportive housing is a core need, yet access remains limited, and many shelters and housing programs are not equipped to provide behavioral health supports onsite.