The Tacoma Housing Authority helps low-income families and individuals stay in stable, affordable housing, and works to build strong communities with safe, welcoming places to live, work, play and shop. THA rents out affordable apartments and homes, helps people pay their rent for dwellings owned by other landlords, helps families purchase their first home, and connects people with support services that help them succeed not only as residents, but as parents, students and wage-earners.

Tacoma Housing Authority came to C.H.E.F. for assistance on their Salishan Shine project, which focuses on outdoor community space: first-class outdoor play spaces for children; outdoor art; enjoyable gathering places to garden, cook, exercise, eat, and visit; and the restoration of local walking trails.

C.H.E.F. funding specifically supports Salishan Shine’s community efforts to promote healthy eating for all residents. In the project’s first year, Salishan Shine organized and implemented a Community Kitchen where residents come together to learn healthy cooking strategies, including how to eat healthily on a budget. THA found space for the activities, gathered resources for the project, and helped the community plant beautiful vegetable gardens. Fresh vegetables from the gardens are distributed to residents and local schools. Working with C.H.E.F., Salishan Shine has established sustainable community resources that will be available to residents as long as there are passionate volunteers engaged and motivated to keep them alive.
www.tacomahousing.org/Salishan/salishan_shine1.html