Council Debates Proposed Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy Implementation Plan
Dear Neighbor,
In August, King County voters approved the renewal of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) by more than 71%, and now the Council must consider the proposed implementation plan which will determine funding support in five areas: housing stability, healthy living, financial stability, social engagement, and service system access and improvement. These critical funds support services to improve overall health and wellbeing, create thriving communities, and reduce disparities throughout King County.
The previous version of the levy:
- Helped build more than 1000 units of affordable housing and 198 new shelter beds.
- Built 234 units of affordable housing for veterans and their families.
- Contributed to a 40% reduction in veteran homelessness.
- Funded 39 senior centers across King County.
- Served more than 100,000 seniors through expanded programming geared to their interests and needs.
- Funded mobile advocacy services for more than 1200 survivors of gender-based violence.
- Launched DVHopeline, a countywide 24-hour multilingual and multimodal domestic violence hotline.
These were great accomplishments, and we need to build on these successes by finalizing an updated plan for how the new levy funds should be used.
I’ll share more once the plan passes Council but if you would like to learn more about the VSHSL click here or you can watch an upcoming briefing on November 8th in the Regional Policy Committee at 3:00pm through KCTV Channel 22.
King County Waterworks Grant in Action: Environmental Science Center Partners with Renton Senior Center
One of my favorite South King County environmental non-profits, the Environmental Science Center (ESC), has partnered with the Renton Senior Center to give seniors the opportunity to learn more about the biodiversity of the Cedar River and its importance to local salmon.
Earlier this month, my team joined the Environmental Science Center for one of their Seniors’ Water Quality Field Trips on which seniors tested the water quality in the Cedar River and observed salmon spawning. The funding for this and other ESC programing partially comes from King County’s WaterWorks grant program, which funds projects that create a benefit to, or improvement of, water quality within King County Wastewater’s service area.
ESC hosts a number of events throughout the year for all ages including ecology walks, field trips, coastal cleanups and library fun. This Saturday, November 4th from 10:00am – noon they will hold a free family-friendly event at Renton’s Liberty Park. View migrating salmon, participate in hands-on science & crafts, create family fun, and more. For more information about their events, visit www.envsciencecenter.org/events/.
In the Community
Last month, I met with friends from Haitian Community Development in Des Moines. They work in partnership with the Haitian Christian United Church to provide food support and other important services to community members in need. I recently provided them with a surplus county van to transport seniors to medical appointments and to deliver food to families in need.
This past week, I had a delightful morning enjoying a delicious farm to table brunch with community members and friends at Living Well Kent’s end-of-season brunch on their farm in Auburn. Their fabulous Executive Director Shamso Issak gave me a tour of their greenhouse where 22 farmers grow food for the Kent East Hill farmers market and for the local food bank.
 Left photo: Councilmember Upthegrove with a representative from Haitian Christian United Church. Rigth photo: CM Upthegrove with Shamso Issak, Executive Director of Living Well Kent
Last Call for Community-Based Climate Justice Projects!
The Community Climate Resilience Grant Application closes this Friday!
The Community Climate Resilience (CCR) Grant Program funds new or existing community-based climate justice projects to help organizations advance their climate resiliency work.
To learn about eligible projects and organizations visit https://bit.ly/CCRGrantKC
All application materials must be submitted by Friday November 3rd.
Interested in providing public comment about an Issue before the Council or one of its committees?
- In person: You may attend the meeting and provide comment in the Council Chambers.
- By email: You may comment in writing on current agenda items by submitting your email comments to kcccomitt@kingcounty.gov. If your email is received before 8:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting, your email comments will be distributed to the committee members and appropriate staff prior to the meeting.
- Remote attendance at the meeting by phone or computer: You may provide oral comment on current agenda items during the meeting’s public comment period by connecting to the meeting via phone or computer using the ZOOM application at https://zoom.us/, and entering the webinar ID number on the meeting agenda.
You are not required to sign up in advance. Comments are limited to current agenda items.
You have the right to language access services at no cost to you. To request these services, please contact Equity and Social Justice Director, Dae Shogren at 206 263 8124 or email dae.shogren@kingcounty.gov by 8:00 a.m. the day prior to the meeting.
For information about Council and committee meetings including agendas that contain the zoom login information, see here.
As always, I value your thoughts, ideas, and input. Please feel welcome to contact me via email at Dave.Upthegrove@kingcounty.gov.
You can watch Council meetings via livestream on the Council's website or on KCTV channel 22. We take general public comment on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
To learn more about testifying before Council go to: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/committees/full_council.aspx
Sincerely,
Dave Upthegrove
King County Councilmember
District 5
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