OUR HOUSES

Located in Tacoma’s Hilltop Neighborhood, a short walk from downtown, our houses provide a place to call home for women recently released from prison.

How to Apply

Those seeking housing for themselves, or unit counselors, caseworkers and other advocates for currently incarcerated women can print a copy of the application below. 

Send completed applications to the address on the form or scan and submit by e-mail to info@nctacoma.org.  Once the application is received, we will make arrangements for a face-to-face interview.

Application Form

Irma's Place

Irma’s Place provides a supportive, clean and sober shelter for women recently released from correctional facilities in Washington state. Women are provided with housing, emergency services, intensive case management, advocacy, and re-entry support for up three months. New Connections helps residents meet basic needs and access support services such as counseling and job training.

Many residents have minor children. Staff and volunteers provide guidance as women navigate parenting classes, visitation issues and the challenges of re-building healthy family relationships.

Annie's Cottage

Our second shelter, Annie’s Cottage, is a 2-bedroom home for women with custody of minor children, who face obstacles to housing based on a history of criminal convictions.

The cottage is located adjacent to Irma’s Place which allows us to provide intensive services and support to mothers working toward independent living.

Community Support

Both Irma’s Place and Annie’s Cottage are owned by the Tacoma Catholic Worker (TCW) and provided for use by New Connections without charge. Our partnership with TCW is at the heart of all we have accomplished.

Other community support includes:

  • Office space donated by Immanuel Presbyterian Church
  • Home repairs & maintenance
  • Mentoring
  • Community gatherings
  • Nearby organizations that assist women as they transition from prison to the community

In Tribute

Both homes are named for important women in this neighborhood’s history. 

Irma’s House is named for Irma Gary, a longtime resident of this house who remained in the neighborhood through decades of turmoil and change.

Annie’s Cottage is named for Sr. Ann Flagg, CSJP who offered shelter to homeless women at Guadalupe House in 1979 and helped found our Hilltop Urban Village.