KUOW’s John Ryan covered recent improvements to Family Housing Connection that have helped families get off the street and into shelter quickly. The piece looks at Bianca’s Place, a family shelter in South Lake Union that can now fill beds after hours if Family Housing Connection is unable to provide a referral for an empty bed during the day.
Other improvements include a reduction in wait time for initial screening interviews due to a flexible ‘block interview’ structure, exceptions to allow faster placement for survivors of domestic violence, and upfront criminal background checks to give families a chance to correct mistakes in their records and avoid surprises during the referral process.
 King County Council member and CEH Governing Board member Joseph McDermott participates to 40 to None Day
On April 29, organizations from across the country gathered at the White House to advocate for LGBTQ Homeless Youth and Young Adults as part of 40 to None Day, sponsored by Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund. Several organizations from King County--including Youth Advocates for Ending Homelessness and The Mockingbird Society, YouthCare, Pride Foundation, and CEH --participated in the event to raise awareness about the disproportionate number of LGBTQ youth who experience homelessness. Megan Gibbard of CEH spoke at the event. Learn more about the event here.
Actions for LGBTQ Homeless Youth are also having an impact locally, headlined by the passage of the Homeless Youth Act (more on this below) during this year’s legislative session. Our innovative efforts here in King County, joined by advocates statewide, sparked this new game-changing legislation. Read an editorial by Tricia Raikes about the passage of the Homeless Youth Act here.
With the state legislature failing to pass a budget, Gov. Inslee called a special session to continue budget negotiations. CEH has three priority budget items that are still up for consideration during this session:
- Fund the Washington State Housing Trust Fund
- Preserve Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program
- Fund the Washington Youth and Families Fund
Thanks to the hard work of advocates throughout the state, the following Legislative Priorities were passed this session.
Homeless Youth Act (SB 5404): the Homeless Youth Act establishes the Office of Homeless Youth Programs to create a coordinated approach to understanding and addressing system gaps, community needs and the resources necessary to develop a plan to prevent and end youth homelessness across Washington. The Homeless Youth Act would also call for Washington to adopt a policy that our state systems will not discharge youth directly into homelessness.
Extended Foster Care (SB 5740): This bill fully implements Extended Foster Care so no foster youth will have to face homelessness when aging out of care.
Lodging Tax/Workforce Housing Bill (SHB 1223) & King County Stadium Bonds bill (HB 1223): These bills will allow for the use of lodging taxes for financing workforce housing and $45 million in new bonds for affordable housing respectively.
 On May 6, the One Home campaign will hold an event to educate landlords about benefits available to landlords who rent to formerly homeless families. Hosted by CEH, the City of Seattle, and Seattle University, the event takes place at 5:30pm at Seattle University’s Casey Commons, 825 10th Avenue, Seattle.
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 Registration for the 2015 Conference on Ending Homelessness is now open. This year’s conference will take place on May 13 - 14, 2015 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. The conference will bring together over 600 stakeholders from across Washington who are working to end homelessness. The program will feature nearly 50 workshops, including 23 that are certified by the Washington Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to provide continuing education units.
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 Youth Housing Connection (YHC) is King County’s coordinated engagement system that creates one path for all homeless and unstably housed young adults to access housing. In April 2015, YHC began to transition from Catholic Community Services (CCS) to the Committee to End Homelessness (CEH).
As of April 20, 2015, Case Managers and front line staff began administering YHC Assessments. The best way for a young person to access a YHC Assessment is through their Case Manager, if they have one. Many agencies also provide drop-in hours for assessments and you can find this schedule on the YHC website: www.youthhousingconnection.org.
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 The Mobile Medical program provides basic medical care, dental care, and social services to homeless individuals and families living in south King County. At each site a full free meal is served by the church. The program does not charge a fee and does not require insurance. Check out their May schedule here.
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On October 22 through 25 the Seattle King County Clinic will offer free health care to persons experiencing homelessness. With a goal of serving 1,000 people a day, the clinic is looking for volunteers and help spreading the word. You learn more about the event here and watch a video here. |
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Governing Board
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, June 30 / 8:30 - 10:30 / South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus, 6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle, WA, room C122
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan. Meeting immediately followed by CEH Annual Conference from 10:30 - noon
Recent Meeting: CEH Strategic Plan
Interagency Council (IAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, May 4 / 2pm - 4pm / Seola Gardens Community Center, 11215 5th Ave SW, Seattle
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan, Housing First Pilot: Survivors of Domestic Violence, Veteran Homelessness Report, Combined NOFA, Coordinated Entry Update
Recent Meeting: Coordinated Entry, Legislative Priorities Update, HMIS Security
Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, May 20 / 6 - 7:30pm / Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle
Agenda Topics: Focus Group Planning, CEH Strategic Plan
Recent Meeting: CEH Strategic Plan
The Family Homelessness Initiative staff host monthly information sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to talk with local stakeholders (providers and funders) about the work of the Initiative. This is an opportunity to hear about current projects, what is coming up next, to ask questions and provide input. NOTE: Beginning July 2014, these sessions will be held from 9:00-10:00am and immediately followed by the Family Housing Connection (FHC) feedback session.
Reoccurring: 3rd Wednesdays each month 9:00 – 10:00 am at varying locations
Next meeting: Date not yet set. Contact Triina Tennelo for more information: 206.263.9110 or triina.tennelo@kingcounty.gov or visit the Initiative website for more information.
Immediately followed by FHC feedback meeting from 10:00 to 11:00am
The monthly YYA Stakeholder Forums provide a monthly opportunity to hear about the changes planned for our homeless youth and young adult system in King County. Please check the YYA Webpage for updates. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in King County contact Megan Gibbard (megan.gibbard@cehkc.org) or visit the YYA Webpage. To be added to the YYA stakeholder email list, which provides bi-weekly updates on the initiative, email Carrie.Hennen@cehkc.org.
YYA Stakeholder Forums will be held quarterly in 2015
June 23, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
September 22, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
December 1, 2015, 2-3:30pm, location TBD
 South King County Forum on Homelessness
Contact: Manuela Ginnett, manuelag@multi-servicecenter.com or Jo Cherland, johannac@ccsww.org. The SKC Forum on Homelessness meets the 1st Wed. of every month at 9–10:30am at Kent Commons, 525 – 4th Ave N. SKC Forum on Homelessness web address: http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=2728
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, May 6, from 9:00 to 10:30am at Kent Commons (525 – 4th Avenue N.)
Eastside Homelessness Advisory Committee (EHAC)
Contact: Arthur Sullivan ASullivan@bellevuewa.gov. EHAC coordinates homeless housing & service activities in East King County. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Thursday of the month, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE (just south of 520)
Upcoming Meeting: No May meeting due to 25th Annual Conference on Ending Homelessness
Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness (ITFH)
The ITFH works among, between, and within the faith community and seeks to create the political will to end homelessness using targeted education, outreach and advocacy. Typical Meeting Schedule: 3rd Wednesday of the month, noon-1:30pm at St. Mark’s. Contact: Bill Kirlin-Hackett at itfh@comcast.net or (425) 442-5418.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, noon – 1:30p.m. at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle
University District Conversation on Homelessness
Contact: Valerie Craig. Monthly Gathering share thoughts and strategies on local and regional concerns around homelessness. Meetings rotate throughout the U District, and are frequently at University Congregational Church though location may change.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, May 27, 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 1604 NE 50th St, Seattle, WA 98105
University District Service Provider’s Alliance
Contact: udsp.spt@gmail.com U-District Service Provider’s Alliance share information relevant to working with homeless youth and young adults, program updates, and neighborhood updates. A service provider debrief follows each meeting. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 11am-12:30pm
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, May 13, 11am to 12:30pm, Street Youth Ministries
Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH)
The General meeting is the 3rd Thurs of each month, 9-11am at E Cherry YWCA. Learn more and sign up for meeting reminders at www.homelessinfo.org
General Meeting: Thursday, May 21 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the E. Cherry St. YWCA (2820 E. Cherry St.)
SKCCH Youth & Young Adults: Tuesday, May 12 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol Hill Public Library (425 Harvard Ave. E.)
SKCCH Single Adults Advocacy: Thursday, May 14 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the Boenish Room, Plymouth Housing Group (next door to Simons Apartments): 2119 3rd Ave.
SKCCH Families with Children: Thursday, May 27 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the E. Cherry St. YWCA (2820 E. Cherry St.)
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