Incoming Pierce County executive says housing costs, homelessness top priorities

Pierce County Executive-elect Ryan Mello announced his agenda for 2025, including plans to increase the region’s affordable housing capacity and reduce homelessness.

Mello was elected as the new Pierce County executive last month during the general election. He has served as the Pierce County Council chair since 2023.

Mello, a Democrat, will take over a position held by Republican Bruce Dammeier, who has served as the county executive since 2016.

On Monday, Mello announced his upcoming administration’s “Forward Together” agenda to address the top issues facing Pierce County.

The agenda prioritizes building more affordable housing and transitioning people out of homelessness. The county’s housing action strategy found that about one-third of all households in Pierce County are burdened by the high cost of housing. The annual rate of housing production countywide needs to increase by 46%, compared to recent efforts to address current needs and keep pace with expected demand through the year 2044.

The agenda also seeks to reduce crime, which has been a worsening issue. According to a presentation in the Pierce County Public Safety Committee in October, the property crime rate in the county sheriff’s department service area increased by 22.5% from 2019 to 2022.

Notably, violent crime in the sheriff’s department service area decreased by 5.9% from 2019, but increased for the county as a whole by 1.8%.

Other listed issues and actions as part of Mello’s agenda include helping families access affordable childcare, ensuring access to parks and safe infrastructure for pedestrians, opening more behavioral health facilities and increasing related services, and creating more good-paying jobs to the region.

“Forward Together is about making sure everyone feels like they’re a part of our community and has a say in making it better,” Mello said in a statement. “Our communities are stronger when we all feel safe.” 

Along with the announcement of the forward together agenda, Mello announced his three-person leadership team.

Scott Nicholson, Ernst & Young senior management consultant, will serve as deputy county executive. 

Pierce County Council Chief of Staff Julie Murray will serve as executive counsel.

Jamie Smith, executive director of communications for Gov. Jay Inslee, will serve as chief of staff.

Mello will be legally sworn in on Dec. 31 in a private ceremony.  A public swearing-in ceremony is expected to be announced sometime soon.