 King County’s increasingly competitive housing market is a difficult environment for people transitioning from homelessness to find a place to live. Home costs are rising and rents are growing at a higher clip in cities like Seattle and Bellevue than anywhere else in the nation. These circumstances call for non-traditional approaches to finding homeless housing solutions.
CEH and our partners continue to invest in developing housing units and rental vouchers, yet, even with a housing voucher or sufficient income to pay rent, people transitioning from homelessness often cannot access private market or even some low-income housing. They compete with other would-be renters who have better credit, no prior evictions, and no previous involvement with the criminal justice system—which many people experiencing homelessness may have had.
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To address this challenge, CEH and our partners are redoubling our efforts to work with landlords so people have a safe place to live. Read more about CEH’s strategies to engage landlords in Mark Putnam’s editorial on the USICH blog.
From October 23 to October 26, Healthfest will gather more than 50 health and human service organizations from across the state to offer free dental, vision, and medical services at Key Arena. Service is first come, first serve and patients are not required to bring ID or proof of citizenship to receive care from licensed medical professionals. If you would like to schedule a tour of the activities during event, please email sarah.sherman@seattle.gov.
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As a part of the federal Affordable Care Act funding released to WA State by Health and Human Services (HHS) to support Washington health centers to increase access to comprehensive primary health care services, Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Health Care for the Homeless Network (HCHN), received funds ($259,490) for their proposal to expand palliative care and chemical dependency services to people living homeless in Seattle and King County. The funds will help expand capacity at 3rd Ave Clinic operated by Harborview Medical Center.
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Project Homeless Connect reduces the duration of homelessness by providing services that address a person’s basic needs: basic medical and dental care, access to education, employment and benefits systems, chemical dependency assessments, flu shots, haircuts, and much more – all under one roof! Join them at the Tacoma Dome Expo Hall on Oct 29 from 9am to 3pm to access services. |
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The Housing Alliance announced that the 25th Annual Conference on Ending Homelessness will be held in Tacoma, WA on May 13 and 14, 2015. They are now accepting workshop proposals which can be sent to kateb@wliha.org and are due by Friday, October 31. |
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Join the Interfaith Taskforce on Homelessness on October 21 at St. Mark’s Cathedral for their 14th annual political will building event “Homelessness: It’s a Crime.” The event will focus on how communities of faith can create political momentum to alleviate short and long term homelessness in King County. |
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HandUp – a crowdfunding platform for homeless neighbors in need - is expanding its fundraising tool to organizations across the US. Through HandUp.us, human service agencies are able to help their clients create profiles and fundraise for basic needs like dentures, housing expenses, and education. To learn more about HandUp, check out their recent feature in the CBS Evening News, visit their website, or email info@handup.us to inquire about becoming a founding Seattle Partner. |
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King County wants to hear from youth as it develops a Youth Action Plan. Youth 12-24 years old – tell us what issues are of most importance to you and ways you would like to be more engaged with government here.
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is offering orientation sessions for their rental assistance and housing stabilization programs for youth and young adults living in King County. The programs offer short term financial assistance and goal-oriented case management. To learn more, attend a session which occurs each Monday from 1:30-3:30 at 2100 24th Ave, Seattle, WA. If you have any questions, contact mworgum@seattleymca.org
 There is currently no new RFP news. For updates, please visit http://www.cehkc.org/
Governing Board
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, October 22 / 9:30 - 10:30am / Seattle City Hall, Bertha Landes Conference Room
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan and 2015 Legislative Agenda
Recent Meeting: Wednesday, July 23
Discussed: Annual Conference Report Back, Employment Opportunities for People who are Homeless, 2015 Legislative Agenda
Interagency Council (IAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, October 6 / 2 - 4pm / St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle
Agenda Topics: Strategic Plan Review, Performance Target Review
Recent Meeting: September 8
Discussed: Setting Performance Targets, SHA Rental Standards, CEH Legislative Agenda
Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, October 15 / 6 - 7:30pm / Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle
Agenda Topics: Strategic Plan Review and Input
Recent Meeting: September 17
Discussed: IAC Retreat Report Out, SHA Rental Standards, Target Setting, Focus Group Planning
Once each quarter, the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness’ Families with Children Committee (FWC) meeting will be co-sponsored with the Family Homelessness Initiative in an effort to expand both group's reach and communities of learning. There is a lot of important and exciting work happening and it's important that we all stay connected and informed. During the October FWC meeting, we will build on a meeting earlier in the year and continue our conversation about the Rapid Re-Housing for Families Pilot to further:
- Understanding of key features of the pilot
- Discussions about how to coordinate and support families who are referred to the pilot (particularly between shelters and RRH providers)
We hope you can be there:
October 22nd, 9:30-11:30am
YWCA - 2820 E. Cherry St.
Contact Triina Tennelo for more information: 206.263.9110 or triina.tennelo@kingcounty.gov or visit the Initiative website for more information.
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 Forum- Tuesday October 28, 2-3:30pm, Newport Way Library (14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue.) The forum is a monthly opportunity to hear about the changes planned for our homeless youth and young adult system in King County. The forum will be preceded by a Community Sign In Training (1-2pm), and immediately followed by a YHC feedback forum (3:30-4:30pm). Please RSVP for the Community Sign In Training by emailing Megan Gibbard.
 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, October 1, from 9:00 to 10:30am at Kent Commons (525 – 4th Avenue N.)
North King County Housing Stakeholders Meeting
Contact: Kelly Rider at kelly@housingconsortium.org. The NKC Stakeholders group coordinates homeless housing & service activities in North King County. Typical Schedule: Quarterly, 2nd Wednesday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, (brown bag) Shoreline City Hall
Upcoming Meeting: December
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: Thursday, October 9, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue (1717 Bellevue Way NE)
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, October 15, 2014, Noon – 1:30p.m. at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle
University District Conversation on Homelessness
Contact: Nathalie Gerhke. Monthly Gathering share thoughts and strategies on local and regional concerns around homelessness. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Monday of the month, 9 – 11:30 am. Meetings rotate throughout the U District, and frequently at University Congregational Church though location may change.
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, October 13, 9:00-11:30am at University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Ave NE, Seattle
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, October 8, 11am-12:30pm at 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, October 16, from 9:00 to 11:00am, E. Cherry YWCA 2820 E. Cherry St.
SKCCH Youth & Young Adults: Tuesday, October 14, from 10:00-11:30am, at Capitol Hill Library 425 Harvard Ave. E.
SKCCH Single Adults Advocacy: Thursday, October 9, from noon to 1:30pm, Plymouth's Simons Apts 2119 3rd Ave.
SKCCH Families with Children: Wednesday, October 22, from 9:30 to 11:00am, E. Cherry YWCA 2820 E. Cherry St. (Combined with FHI Information Session)
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