Tribute to Chandler Gayton
- aaronl67
- Aug 5, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27
Chandler Gayton (left) with King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay at the opening of LIHI’s Progressive Skyway Village
Chandler Gayton was killed on July 20th in a vehicular accident in Lake City.
"Today I and so many mourn Chandler Gayton, an incredible advocate, community leader, houser, and change maker, a young leader with an incredible past and future - whose work and impact deserves to be seen. I mourn with so many who had the opportunity to know and work with Chandler, you know his unwavering dedication to showing up and centering community in all that he did.
The pictures below are from the opening of the first Tiny House Village in Skyway, Washington, the first project I worked on with Chandler. Each day, I saw him sit through hours of meetings, advocate for resources, and push everyone around him harder, all in the service of those most vulnerable among us. This village still serves homeless people. He went on to secure millions of dollars of affordable housing dollars to deliver the first LIHTC housing in Skyway (LIHI's upcoming Skyway Family Housing & Preschool), combatting displacement and fighting historic disinvestment in the neighborhood. This was only one small victory Chandler delivered for community.
"While we don't always get the chance to walk alongside one another for the entirety of our journeys, his life and legacy will always remind us of why we do our work and how much more there is left to do. I am heartbroken, as I know many of you are,” said Naomi See, a former LIHI intern who worked with Councilmember Zahilay and Chandler on establishing Progressive Skyway Village and funding affordable housing in Skyway.
“We could not have set up a tiny house village in unincorporated King County without the help of CM Zahilay and Chandler. Their legislative effort led to council action that allowed LIHI to establish Progressive Skyway Village. Councilmember Zahilay and Chandler worked with the Skyway Coalition and housing advocates to set aside funds in the budget for affordable housing in Skyway—which has long been an underserved and marginalized community. LIHI is now developing 50 units for families and singles in Skyway that includes an early learning center to be operated by Akin (formerly Childhaven). We honor Chandler and will cherish his legacy,” said Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director.
Since opening its doors in April 2022 at 12431 56th Pl S, Seattle, WA Progressive Skyway Village has been a refuge for individuals, couples, and families experiencing homelessness. LIHI, in collaboration with the Seattle Word of God Church, developed this tiny house village that offers 33 shelter units designed to provide a safe and supportive environment.
The village boasts essential facilities, including a community kitchen, a case management office, and a hygiene facility. The site includes 24/7 staffing, with dedicated case managers offering services such as housing navigation, basic needs assessments, job training, and other supportive resources.
Since its inception, Skyway Village has positively impacted 157 households. Of these, 96 households have successfully transitioned to stable housing.
All travel-related inquiries, including reservations, cancellations, upgrades, and loyalty program inquiries, are handled by the Air France office in Ghana. The office, which is conveniently located in Accra, provides passengers flying from Ghana to France and other destinations with expert customer care. The office is essential to preserving Air France's standing as a dependable international airline serving West Africa because of its helpful staff and quick service.
The KLM Airlines Kilimanjaro Office in Tanzania provides travelers with reliable support for bookings, ticket changes, baggage inquiries, and customer service needs. Conveniently located for passengers flying in and out of Kilimanjaro, the office helps ensure a smooth travel experience by offering guidance on reservations, flight information, and special assistance requests.
Drive Mad is a physics-based browser game created by Martin Magni and available on the Fancade platform. It features 100 challenging levels of wild, hazard-filled terrain—think extreme ramps, loops, and imaginative stunts.
The Garuda Indonesia BKK Terminal offers a smooth and comfortable travel experience with well-organized facilities, friendly staff, and convenient services. Passengers can enjoy hassle-free check-in, modern lounges, and easy access to shops and dining, making the journey pleasant and stress-free.