Victoria Woodards: Leading Tacoma Through Innovation and Challenge
Victoria Woodards has served as the Mayor of Tacoma since her first election in 2017, securing a second term in 2021. Her tenure has been defined by a blend of national leadership and local initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for Tacoma's residents. Beyond her local duties, she contributes to the United States Conference of Mayors advisory board and serves as the vice-chair of the Committee on Jobs, Education, and the Workforce.
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Key Facts
- Elected: First elected in 2017; re-elected in 2021.
- National Role: Served as President of the National League of Cities (NLC) in 2022.
- Major Programs: Established GRIT (guaranteed income), Tidy-Up Tacoma, and the Safe Youth Campaign.
- Housing Policy: Advocated for "Home in Tacoma," allowing multiple units on single-family lots.
- Civic Engagement: Reformatted the State of the City address to a public "Feedback Station" model in 2024.
Community Initiatives and Social Programs
Mayor Woodards has launched several targeted campaigns to address urban decay, poverty, and youth violence. In 2021, she and Deputy Mayor John Hines introduced Tidy-Up Tacoma, a citywide effort mobilizing volunteers to combat vandalism and excessive street waste.
The GRIT Program
One of the most significant social experiments under her leadership is Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT). Launched in 2021, GRIT is a guaranteed income program designed for low-income residents, specifically those categorized as "Asset Limited, Isolated, Constricted and Employed." Participants receive $500 a month for at least 12 months.
The program was funded through a combination of public and private sources, including a $500,000 share of a $15 million donation from Jack Dorsey via Mayors for Guaranteed Income (MGI), and $100,000 from the United Way of Pierce County. While the initial phase ended in November 2022, applications reopened on March 1, 2024. Data from the Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard indicated that 110 employed participants in the program were between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty line.
Youth and Safety
In 2022, Woodards helped launch the Safe Youth Campaign to address a spike in violence among the city's youth. Additionally, she expanded Student Government Day and established Tacoma's first Youth Commission to foster early civic engagement.
Housing and Urban Development
Addressing the cost of living has been a central pillar of Woodards' administration. In a collaborative article with April Black, Executive Director of the Tacoma Housing Authority, Woodards highlighted the city's desperate need for affordable housing and called for increased state financial support.
To tackle this locally, the city implemented Home in Tacoma, a residential policy that permits the addition of more than one unit to single-family homes, increasing density and housing options.
| Initiative | Year Launched | Primary Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Tidy-Up Tacoma | 2021 | Reduce street waste and vandalism via volunteers |
| GRIT | 2021 | Provide guaranteed income ($500/mo) to low-income residents |
| Safe Youth Campaign | 2022 | Combat youth violence |
| Home in Tacoma | Ongoing | Increase affordable housing via multi-unit zoning |
Legal Controversies and Public Challenges
Woodards' term has not been without significant challenges. On March 3, 2020, Manuel Ellis, an unarmed Black man, died in Tacoma police custody. Following the release of bystander video in June 2020, Woodards directed the city manager to fire the four officers involved and called for an investigation. While the Pierce County Sheriff's Office ruled the death a homicide, three officers were acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in January 2024. These officers resigned with a city payout of $500,000.
In October 2024, the Mayor faced scrutiny regarding Police Chief Avery Moore, who was placed on administrative leave for the personal use of a city asset. Woodards expressed support for the Chief while pledging transparency during the investigation.
Other challenges include a November 2023 city council meeting where Woodards was targeted with racial and anti-Semitic slurs by callers. She worked to de-escalate the situation by muting the offenders. On a personal administrative level, the Washington Public Disclosure Commission fined her $500 in 2022 for failing to file personal financial affairs statements on time for two consecutive years.
National Leadership and Civic Innovation
Woodards has extended her influence beyond Tacoma, serving as the President of the National League of Cities (NLC) in 2022. Her international engagement included a June 2024 trip to China for a sisters city summit organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
Locally, she has sought to modernize government communication. In 2024, she reformatted the traditional State of the City address. Rather than a formal speech, she hosted "Feedback Stations" at a local high school, allowing residents to engage in direct dialogue with city officials to shape future policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GRIT program in Tacoma?
Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) is a guaranteed income program that provides eligible low-income residents with $500 per month for at least one year to help those who are asset-limited and employed.
How does the "Home in Tacoma" policy work?
Home in Tacoma is a residential policy that allows homeowners to add more than one additional unit to a single-family home to help increase the availability of affordable housing.
What happened with the Manuel Ellis case?
Manuel Ellis died in police custody in 2020. Although the death was ruled a homicide, the officers involved were acquitted of murder and manslaughter in January 2024, subsequently resigning with a $500,000 payout.
How did Mayor Woodards change the State of the City address?
In 2024, she replaced the formal annual speech with an interactive event featuring "Feedback Stations" at a local high school, enabling direct public dialogue and questioning.
What is the National League of Cities?
The National League of Cities (NLC) is an organization comprising leaders from cities, towns, and villages; Victoria Woodards served as its President in 2022.