Getting sick isn't fun and it usually sets you behind on work, which is never good. So when I landed in bed last week with a head cold, I decided to catch up on some work-related reading. You know -- all those riveting statistical reports that get shoved to the bottom of the work pile for when you have "time to spare."
On the docket for this sick-induced, day-in-bed was the Washington Families Fund High-Needs Family Program: Baseline Evaluation Summary. As I started reading, a few things became clear: first, through the Washington Families Fund (WFF), Building Changes is doing a good thing by funding nonprofits that help the most vulnerable families in our community. These agencies diligently work to connect families to stable housing and the services they need, help them repair their
Recently, Washington Families Fund and Sound Families grantees gathered to attend our recent training, "Increasing Earned Income for Homeless Families: Strategies for Being a Change Agent at Your Agency." The Tacoma Housing Authority graciously hosted. I had the privilege of facilitating, along with Mark Putnam from Building Changes and national employment for the homeless expert, John Rio, from Advocates for Human Potential. Twenty-five people from six counties (Pierce, King, Snohomish, Thurston, Clallam, and Whatcom) participated.
It was a long day, jam-packed with information, questions, and worksheets that participants used to track key ideas and post-training action steps. I was encouraged and inspired by the passion of the training participants and their desire to continuously
Seattle has a long history of creating and sustaining innovative affordable housing solutions for those who need it most. What began as a small housing bond in 1981 for low-income seniors and disabled citizens has evolved into a levy supporting affordable housing development and restoration, down payment assistance to first time homebuyers and emergency rental assistance for families on the verge of homelessness. On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to renew the housing levy in 2010, which will be on the ballot this November. If Seattle voters approve the measure, taxpayers will invest $145 million back into our community over the next seven years.
The housing bond and three subsequent levies passed because they produce outstanding results. The current levy, spanning from
On Tuesday, May 12th, I was one of a number of community members who participated in a public hearing on the
Housing Levy before the Seattle City Council. The Council is in the process of finalizing the details -- particularly the dollar amount -- that will go into a citizen ballot in November 2009. Seattle voters have approved comparable levies continuously since 1981. The levy adds permanent affordable housing to the city's housing stock. It is the best long-term solution to homelessness and meeting the affordable housing needs of our city. The current proposal being considered by City Council is for an 8-year, $145 million levy which would target half for housing our lowest income residents. Yesterday's hearing drew more than 40 testimonies in favor of the levy -- below is my own.
Building Changes applauds Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell for their vocal support of S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which the Senate unanimously passed yesterday. The approved legislation included two amendments that will greatly benefit low-income and homeless Washingtonians.
The first put forth by Senator Kerry (D-MA) will require 90 days' notice prior to eviction for renters living in properties that have been foreclosed upon. As I noted in my blog of March 23rd, renters are inadvertently punished by foreclosures as they are frequently forced into eviction upon notification of the mortgagers default even though they dutifully have paid their rent on time and otherwise lived up to the terms of their lease. A similar bill passed the Washington State
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