Solid Ground partner Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness offers many opportunities to bring significant changes to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis here in Seattle. We need participation from people like you to push for greater impacts and make meaningful change in 2018!
Homelessness Advocacy 101
Take action during the 2018 Legislative Session! The 60-day session began at the Capitol on Monday, January 8, and there will be plenty of policy making and budget setting. State lawmakers will make decisions and pass laws that can impact how much support the Coalition on Homelessness is able to provide for people experiencing homelessness, such as housing and shelter. We must let the lawmakers know that we are prioritizing affordable housing, as well as funding and programs for homelessness in 2018.
Here are some steps you can take to successfully make your voice heard:
- Step 1: Look up who represents you using this District Finder.
- Step 2: Email your lawmakers in Olympia about the four actions they can take to pass the policy and budget solutions required to end homelessness, protect tenants, and build affordable homes.
- Step 3: Sign up online for a FREE Homelessness Advocacy 101 workshop.
These workshops are designed to sharpen your skills to help influence state laws and make real change. Join Nancy Amidei, local experts, and allies to learn about key legislative proposals to create housing and shelter and increase access to services. Training will also include learning about who makes decisions in Olympia, and effective actions we can take. Don’t miss out! These informational and inspiring workshops will guide you with simple actions and sample messages that can really make a difference.
Workshop dates & times:
- Wednesday, January 24, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Seattle Pacific University in the Gazebo Room, Student Union
3307 3rd Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119 - Sunday, January 28, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Renton Highlands Public Library
2801 NE 10th Street, Renton, WA 98056 - Saturday, February 3, 10am – 12pm
University Congregational UCC
4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
- Tuesday, February 6, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Kent Lutheran Church
336 2nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98032 - Wednesday, February 21, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Federal Way Day Center
33505 13th Pl S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Speak up for over 200 affordable homes in Fort Lawton
Another opportunity to influence action on affordable housing is to speak up for over 200 affordable homes at Fort Lawton in Seattle. There is a vacant lot of surplus public land in this historic district in the Magnolia neighborhood that can be redeveloped into more than 200 affordable homes, including apartments and home ownership opportunities. The major plus side is that this property is federally owned and can be given to the City of Seattle at no cost if used for affordable housing.
You can speak up for affordable housing by submitting online comments through the Housing Development Consortium webpage. The City of Seattle is accepting comments through Monday, January 29.
Advocacy express to housing & homelessness Advocacy Day
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day is Thursday, February 1. Hop on the advocacy express to Olympia at 6:45am in Downtown Seattle on that day to join others in letting lawmakers know that you care about finding solutions to affordable housing and homelessness in Washington. Space is prioritized for people who have direct experience with being homeless so that their voices can be heard.
For more information and to reserve your space, contact Amanda at amanda@homelessinfo.org or 206.204.8350 by Wednesday, January 24.
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