Good Neighbor Village

Pierce County selected Tacoma Rescue Mission (TRM) and its consultant team to evaluate the feasibility of a micro‑home village providing long‑term supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals. AHBL collaborated with TRM and the project architect to define programmatic requirements, evaluate potential site options, and develop preliminary development cost estimates. The concept was modeled after Austin’s Community First Village and designed to address regional homelessness through a comprehensive approach that integrates housing, employment opportunities, and community participation.

Following completion of the feasibility study in 2022, the project received funding approval from the Pierce County Council, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2024. AHBL is continuing to support TRM and Pierce County through the entitlement and permitting phase, including coordination to secure construction approvals. The proposed development utilizes micro‑homes to house chronically homeless residents while incorporating on‑site employment and responsibility‑building opportunities such as community garden operations, facility maintenance, and small‑scale entrepreneurial activities that support long‑term stability and self‑sufficiency.

AHBL provided comprehensive, multidisciplinary services to support planning, design, and implementation of the micro‑home village, including master planning through civil engineering, land use planning, landscape architecture, and land surveying. Services also encompassed community engagement with historically underrepresented stakeholders, detailed site planning, utility and stormwater design, analysis of access and site constraints, and coordination of permitting and project scheduling. AHBL further supported project viability through cost estimating and budget development, along with graphic creation to clearly communicate concepts, phasing, and technical information to stakeholders and decision‑makers.

Concept Renderings: Tacoma Rescue Mission

Teaming Partners

• Owner: Tacoma Rescue Mission