As the leaves change along South 14th Street, Pierce County’s once-most comprehensive facility serving low-income and homeless adults, now faces a cold future. Catholic Community Services leadership closed Nativity House day shelter to the public.
In July, Nativity House offered shelter, warm food, kitchen space, community connection, a clothing closet, an accessible mailing address, along with care and assistance from longtime staff. Now in October, there’s a tremendous lack of access, experienced workers have been laid off, and the people previously served have even fewer places to stay warm in the autumn chill.
In our continued struggle to elevate the voices of those affected by the Catholic Community Services leadership’s decision to close Nativity House, we humbly share another of the many statements of support from our community:
"The loss of Nativity House services is devastating, not only to houseless folks in Tacoma, but to all people of conscience in the city. We have a moral obligation to insure the welfare of the disenfranchised, and when we fail we have to "repent," we have to admit it, and we have to do better.
There is no way to act justly toward the needy without acting justly toward the open-hearted staff that serve them. I urge Catholic Community Services to minimize staff reductions and handle any necessary staff reduction in an even-handed manner, one which honors both those who need services and those who provide them, - Reverend Mike Roberts, First United Methodist Church of Tacoma.
Catholic Community Services leadership stated the decision to close Nativity House day shelter and reduce staffing was planned and coordinated with community partners due to the uncertain federal funding landscape and there has been no change to discretionary funding support to sustain programs. However, at the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness meeting on May 30, 2025 during a Q&A response (starting at 24:14), it is revealed that CCS leadership determined discretionary funding can no longer be used to support essential programming that does not generate profit, like Nativity House day center.
The impact of the Nativity House closure has far-reaching and unascertained consequences for the vulnerable in our community, especially as the autumn chill turns colder.
Join us as we continue lifting the struggle for essential services to our Tacoma neighbors and community who are most in need. We ask for our supporters’ continued support: share the updates, as well as this petition, with your friends, family, neighbors, and community.
We stand together!