A vote is set for next week, as the Tacoma City Council considers a proposal that would further expand the city’s camping ban.

Tacoma’s current ban, which prohibits camping near schools, shelters, and daycares, was passed in 2022 after Councilmember John Hines drafted the measure in response to a sharp increase in public health and safety concerns reported by community members regarding areas near Tacoma shelters.

Three years later, Hines is asking to expand the city’s no-camping ordinance, this time to a five-block buffer to areas around parks, playgrounds, and libraries. Additionally, the camping ban would expand to areas around permanent homelessness shelters if the city council passes the proposal.

“This policy is not designed to end homelessness,” Hines said during Tuesday’s city c

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