State Right of Way - Encampment Resolution Program

Pierce County (hereafter known as “the County”) is seeking proposals for the State Rights of Way – Encampment Resolution Program (ROW-ERP). The County intends to use the funds to acquire property or rehabilitate structures to provide overnight shelter to quickly move homeless households out of prioritized state and local rights of way and other public property into better living situations in Pierce County.

The County has approximately $1.5 M in state funds that must be spent by June 30, 2025. Priority will be given to capital projects such as property acquisition or the rehabilitation and renovation of existing structures to provide overnight shelter or permanent supportive housing. While projects aimed at providing or enhancing services and supports at existing overnight shelter or housing locations will be considered, they will receive a lower priority than capital projects.

In keeping with direction from the Washington State Legislature, the Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and State Patrol, through Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with cities, counties, and/or non-profits, has established a targeted grant program to transition households who reside on state-owned and local rights of way to safer housing, with an emphasis on permanent housing solutions. Here is a link to the update on this program provided by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): WSDOT Update on Encampment Resolution Program