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Homelessness is inextricably linked to racism. In fact,
homelessness can be seen as a symptom of structural racism. The National Law Center on
Homelessness and Poverty argues that “homelessness and the lack of
affordable housing in the United States of America have a disparate racial
impact, in violation of the United States’ obligations under the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.” In King
County, nearly two thirds of people experiencing homelessness are people and
families of color. African Americans are five times more likely to experience
homelessness than their white counterparts in King County and Native American
and Alaska Native individuals are seven times more likely to experience
homelessness.
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Our strategic plan to make homelessness rare, brief and
one-time in King County also seeks to eliminate racial disparities. We know
that addressing homelessness includes having difficult conversations about
race. Truly ending homelessness will require bold action, from all of us, to
create meaningful change in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness
in our community. All Home is committed to racial justice and in an effort to
create a culture in which we can talk frankly about race, each week we will
highlight articles, data, and stories that further the conversation on the
intersection between race and homelessness. We invite you, our partners, to
join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook or by emailing us directly.
On
August 11th, The Office
of Homeless Youth announced $2.5 million in funding to support emergency
housing and rental assistance, crisis intervention services, outreach to
connect homeless youth with resources such as drug and alcohol treatment, and
other assistance to young adults age 18 through 24 in communities throughout
Washington State.
“A
stable home is the launching pad to a healthy, productive adulthood. An
investment in our young people is an investment in our future. With this
funding we are reaching across the state to address gaps in services so that
young people do not have to leave their own community to seek stability and
support,” said Kim Justice, Executive Director, Office of Homeless Youth.
With
the goal of making sure that no young person spends a single night without a
safe, stable place to call home, these grants will increase support and direct
services available through five target initiatives: street youth services,
crisis residential centers, HOPE centers, young adult shelters and young adult
housing programs. Full details on the grants awarded can be found here.
 A
Way Home Washington is a growing movement dedicated to preventing and ending
youth homelessness in Washington State through awareness, connection and
action. A Way Home Washington is inspired by A Way Home America and builds on the
innovative work already happening to serve youth in Washington State. We’re
excited to join this diverse group of partners to help raise awareness about
the barriers youth face, build strong and connected networks to help youth
overcome these hurdles, and work with local communities to develop solutions
that meet their unique needs and circumstances.
Starting
in August, A Way Home Washington will embark on a listening and learning tour
around the state with First Lady Trudi Inslee and Kim Justice, Executive
Director of the Washington Office of Homeless Youth. At each stop, Trudi and
Kim will sit down with youth and community leaders to learn about common
barriers and solutions for ending youth homelessness, and understand what
unique challenges exist across the state. To learn more about these events and
how you can get involved, visit AWayHomeWA.org.
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The
Washington State Health Care Authority and the Department of Social and Health
Services are currently negotiating a Section 1115 Medicaid Transformation
Waiver with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The
waiver includes a proposal to create a new, targeted permanent supportive
housing services Medicaid benefit along with additional health innovations,
including a targeted supported employment Medicaid benefit, regional health
transformation projects, and much more. The Housing Alliance will host a series
of webinars through the month of August to provide training and context for
what these new benefits will cover, who is eligible, and how the program will
be implemented. Click
here to sign up for the webinars and for training background materials.
The Washington State’s draft
amended 5-Year Consolidated Plan and draft amended
2016 Action Plan, in addition to an NHTF
substantial amendment changes summary, will be available here,
(or upon request) from August 15 to September 14,
2016, for review and input. These plans determine the
priorities, establish strategic goals, and allocate resources for the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds administered by the
Washington State Department of Commerce which include Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), HOME Investment
Partnership (HOME), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
programs. These plan amendments incorporate the changes necessary to implement
the NNTF program.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, August 22, 10:00 am to
12:00 pm (PDT) at the
Department of Commerce (1011 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504 Building 5,
First Floor, Columbia River Room, directions).
Call-in Option: Dial
(360) 407-3780, Access Code: 369727#
Online Option: GoToMeeting
Submit your comments
as follows:
Email your comments to Nathan Peppin at Nathan.Peppin@commerce.wa.gov
Mail comments to: National Housing Trust Fund Program, PO
Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Testify orally or submit written comments in person at the
public hearing. Testify orally by calling in to the public hearing. All of the
comments received will become part of the official record. To request the
documents in hard copy or an alternate format, contact Alisha Howden at Alisha.Howden@commerce.wa.gov,
(360) 725-2972, or by mail to National Housing Trust Fund Program, PO Box
52525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525.
Meetings sponsored by Department of Commerce are accessible
to persons with disabilities. Contact Alisha Howden at Alisha.Howden@commerce.wa.gov,
(360) 725-2972, if you need accommodation.
For additional information on the NHTF program at the
Department of Commerce, contact:
NHTF
Nathan Peppin
(360) 725-2983
Nathan.Peppin@commerce.wa.gov
Public Comment period ends:
Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 5:00 pm, PDT
King County has announced a request for proposals (RFP) for
a new project, Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (HARPS). Qualifying
applicants must be licensed behavioral health providers in the State of
Washington OR housing providers that partner with licensed behavioral health
service provider(s). The King County HARPS program will target individuals
exiting or at risk of entering SUD residential treatment or psychiatric
inpatient facilities that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The HARPS
team will offer participants meaningful choice and control of housing and
ongoing support services with the goal of obtaining and maintaining normative
housing in the community. Services will be provided primarily – though not
exclusively – by Certified Peer Counselors.
Applications are due 9/12/16 by 2 pm. King County will
accept questions regarding the RFP until 5pm 8/19/16. Responses will be distributed
by 8/24/16. More information available here. |
