Advocacy needed: Speak up for more shelter & to save the Wood Technology Center!
- aaronl67
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Shelter Advocacy!
Last month, Mayor Katie Wilson proposed three pieces of legislation to quickly increase the number of shelter beds in Seattle, and we need your support to get them passed!
On Monday, March 30th, city staff presented details about their shelter expansion proposal to the City of Seattle's Finance, Native Communities & Tribal Governments Committee. Councilmember Dan Strauss is Chair of the committee. The two legislative agenda items included in this presentation would create 500 new shelter beds in the first 6 months of 2025, in line with Mayor Wilson’s plan to add 1000 shelter beds every year of her 4-year term.
The first ordinance, Council Bill 121184, will expand shelter by granting the Director of Finance and Administrative Services the ability to identify and execute leases for properties up to 65,000 square feet. This ordinance will increase the size of micro-shelter sites, such as tiny house villages, reduce barriers in identifying properties, signing leases, and completing utilities so villages can be set up quickly.
The second ordinance, Council Bill 121185, will allow the City of Seattle to allocate $4.9 million to fund shelter expansion plans. City budget staff have identified $4.9 million in funding that requires city council approval plus other funds that total $17.5 million. CB 121184 and CB 121185 are currently being deliberated, and will require committee and council vote very soon.
Shelter providers, program participants, and service organizations were present to share their support for these bills. Councilmembers listened as advocates shared how shelter helped them in their time of need, and how they have lost loved ones who had nowhere left to go when shelter was not available. Our hope is that our Councilmembers will hear our pleas and address the shelter shortfall with a major investment. We need more shelter beds now!
On April 1st, the Mayor’s Office presented the third piece of legislation to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee chaired by Councilmember Eddie Lin. This bill will increase the maximum number of people from 100 to 150 for tiny house villages and tent cities in Seattle, and allow one shelter in each council district to have up to 250 people. These larger sites will be supported and staffed to be responsive to the needs of the people they serve. LIHI, Evergreen Treatment Services and, Purpose. Dignity. Action. presented their respective services. LIHI gave examples of program services and the number of 24/7 staffing needed for larger shelter sites.
We need your help! Please take the time to send an email to your City Councilmember explaining why this shelter expansion is important to you. You can speak to the importance of each of the three proposed pieces of legislation, or simply why it matters to you to have more shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Email all councilmembers at council@seattle.gov or the councilmember of the district you reside in (find your district) and cc: Citywide Councilmembers Dionne.Foster@seattle.gov and AlexisMercedes.Rinck@seattle.gov. Your voice is important and every email makes a difference.
Sample email - Make it your own!
Dear Your Councilmember,
Please vote yes on the three pieces of shelter expansion legislation (CB121184, CB121185, and raising shelter capacity limits) to rapidly increase the number of shelter units in Seattle. No one should be left to live on the streets of our city because we do not have enough shelter beds. I ask that you please move this proposal forward.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Contact LIHI’s Community Engagement Manager at Marta.Kidane@lihi.org or 206-858-0734 if you have any questions.
Save the Wood Technology Center!
The Wood Technology Center is in danger of being shut down!
There is an urgent need (today!!!) to gather signatures and letters of support to keep the beloved cornerstone of the building arts alive. Please take a few moments to follow this link to add your voice to the chorus. This school has taught carpenters and woodworkers for almost a century. In a world that is increasingly anti-human, Wood Tech offers invaluable training that benefits families, communities, and construction outfits across the region. Students at the Wood Technology Center have built several tiny houses for LIHI to shelter people experiencing homelessness.
Sign the Petition - https://c.org/b96Q7LnkG5
Questions? Contact: info@savewtc.com
