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Court denies landlord lobby’s request for a TRO blocking Stable Homes Federal Way Initiative

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The court denied the Rental Housing Association’s undemocratic attempt to get a temporary restraining order to block the Stable Homes Federal Way initiative in a court hearing Monday afternoon.

The case will move forward without a TRO and receive a hearing to show cause 8:30 am Thursday at the Kent Superior Court.

Organizers for the initiative were pleased by the judge’s decision.

“The court sided with the people in this hearing and we look forward to winning our next hearing. The landlord lobby is grasping at straws trying to slow down the initiative, clearly because they can’t rally the support to win against our grassroots initiative in a fair election,” said Stable Homes Federal Way volunteer, Ginny Ferguson.

Once passed, this initiative will create good cause eviction protections for renters; requiring landlords to provide reason before evicting tenants; ensuring renters have the ability to live with family; protecting tenants from discriminatory or retaliatory evictions; and protecting members of the military, first responders, seniors, family members, health care providers, or educators from discriminatory evictions.

Organizers gathered about 10,000 signatures and are confident the initiative will qualify for the November ballot.

Addressing the housing affordability crisis, and more work ahead

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You’ve likely heard me say that Washington is facing an affordable housing and homelessness crisis—every district, every county, every community is experiencing this crisis. Despite efforts and resources to date, we simply do not have adequate housing options across income levels and across specialized needs in order to keep Washingtonians housed.​ This crisis also impacts people differently. Renters, LGBTQ people, people of color, and older Washingtonians are more likely to be overburdened by housing costs and/or other barriers, and are at greater risk for displacement.​

That’s why increasing affordable housing stock and mitigating the factors that lead to homelessness were top priorities for Democrats in the 2019 legislative session.

Our work isn’t done, and I need to hear from you to help me prioritize our affordable housing, homelessness, and tenant protection agenda for 2020. Please take a moment to complete my very brief, one question survey (it should take you less than one minute).

Here’s a brief overview of the progress we made this year to increase the supply of housing, protect tenants, reform our broken eviction system, ease homelessness, and address the intersection of behavioral health (mental health & substance use) and homelessness.

Mayor Durkan signs City Council legislation to invest $50 million in permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. This was made possible by legislation we passed this year allowing cities to implement a local option sales tax bond. But our work isn’t done, and I need to hear from you! Since the 2019 legislative session ended, I’ve continued meeting with constituents, tenants, advocates, and local leaders from around the state to prioritize our efforts at making additional progress to ease our housing affordability and homelessness crises. Here’s where I need your help: please take a quick moment to complete my one-question survey that will help me prepare ahead of the 2020 legislative session to take on powerful special interests, reduce homelessness, protect tenants, and make it possible to find an affordable place to live.

 

Expedia and Treehouse Team Up on Back-to-School Drive Supporting students in foster care is easy with digital drive kits

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Expedia is partnering with Treehouse on one of many back-to-school drives throughout Washington to give hundreds of kids and teens in foster care a fresh start to the upcoming school year.

“Everybody deserves to get school supplies just like we did. It’s really important for youth in foster care,” said Quenita Dich, Salesforce Systems Administrator and Volunteers Committee Lead at Expedia. “We all want to fit in on that first day.”

Expedia’s Volunteers Committee is particularly passionate about education, and the resources and tools Treehouse provides make it easy for them to set up donation drive drop-off bins and information on every floor of the company.

“Whether you’re 8 years old or 80, anyone can host a back-to-school drive,” said Erika Lanier, Community Engagement Officer at Treehouse, a nonprofit dramatically improving outcomes for youth in foster care. “Our drive kits make collecting new clothes, backpacks and financial contributions simple. It is a low effort and high impact way to get involved.”

Classrooms, offices and places of worship are all invited to rally their communities and make a lasting impact in a young person’s life.

No different than any other child or teen, youth in foster care are looking to start the school year with a quality backpack and the latest trends in clothing and shoes. Monetary donations will go to fund a variety of extracurricular activities giving young people opportunities to explore interests and discover lifelong passions.

Any group or individual interested in hosting a back-to-school donation drive can visit the “Host a Drive or Event” pageat www.treehouseforkids.org to sign up. Contact Treehouse at 206.267.5109 or drives@treehouseforkids.org with any questions.

About Treehouse
Founded in 1988 by social workers, Treehouse is Washington’s leading nonprofit organization addressing the academic and other essential support needs of more than 7,000 youth in foster care. We’re committed to youth in care statewide achieving a degree or other career credential, living wage job and stable housing at the same rate as their peers. With fierce optimism, we fight the structural inequities that impact all of us. Learn more at www.treehouseforkids.org.

LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS ANNOUNCED AT CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE The work to improve the lives of Washington’s children continues

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The Children’s Alliance, a Washington state-based advocacy organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children by effecting positive changes in public policies, priorities, and programs, yesterday announced two upcoming leadership transitions.

Deputy director Jon Gould will leave his position at the end of September. Gould has served Children’s Alliance for 22 years. Paola Maranan, executive director since 2004, will leave her position at the end of May 2020. Maranan has served Children’s Alliance for 26 years.

The Children’s Alliance board of directors will lead the process to recruit and hire the next executive director. 

“Children’s Alliance has been fortunate to have the strong, long-term leadership of Paola and Jon,” said Gabriela Quintana, chair of the board of directors.

“The board joins with the staff and community to thank them for their years of service and wish them well for the future,” she continued. “We also know that leadership transitions are inevitable. With a strong staff, board, and network of child advocates, the Children’s Alliance will grow through this opportunity.” 

The two leaders, who comprise two of the three members of the organization’s staff management team, made independent decisions to transition within the same 12-month period. In the course of their long working relationship, they had made a mutual commitment to advise each other early of such a decision. They announced their transitions together in order to maximize the opportunity for strong planning and rehiring through much of 2020.

Children’s Alliance has a rich 36-year history of successful public policy advocacy for kids and families. As these longtime leaders prepare to depart, that work will continue due to the contributions of a strong board and staff.

The board will share information about the executive director search on the Children’s Alliance website: www.childrensalliance.org/transitions.

To read the personal statements of Maranan, Gould and Quintana, please visit www.childrensalliance.org/blog/announcement-childrens-alliance.

 

DAV RecruitMilitary JBLM Veterans Job Fair

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DAV and RecruitMilitary are joining forces to attract, hire and retain military veterans and military spouses in the Greater Seattle area.

This is a free hiring event for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members and military spouses.

 Thursday, July 25, 2019, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

American Lake Conference Center, 8085 NCO Beach Road, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

MORE DETAILS: In 2018, DAV RecruitMilitary hosted 139 veteran hiring events across the United States with nearly 6,750 exhibitors engaging with more 32,000 military-trained job candidates. “We are pleased to provide these companies with access to the widest network of highly qualified veteran job candidates who are looking for meaningful civilian career opportunities,” says Tim Best, CEO of Bradley-Morris & RecruitMiltiary.

 

EVENT REGISTRATION & EXHIBITOR INFO: http://bit.ly/JBLM072519

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Our Champion for Racial Justice for Over 40 Years.

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King County Councilmember Larry Gossett serves on the Metropolitan King County Council representing many Seattle neighborhoods, including the Central Area, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, the Rainier Valley, Seward Park, UW, Fremont, Ravenna, Laurelhurst and the Skyway neighborhood in unincorporated King County.

Councilmember Gossett is chair of the Law and Justice Committee and serves on the Budget and Fiscal Management, Government Accountability & Oversight, Health, Housing and Human Services, Planning, Rural Service and Environment, and Regional Policy committees. He is also a member on the Flood Control District Board of Supervisors.

Born and raised in Seattle, Councilmember Larry Gossett has been a dedicated servant of the people for over 45 years. Gossett’s Council district represents an area where he has lived and worked on issues his entire life.

Councilmember Gossett is a graduate of Franklin High School, and after two years at the University of Washington, he became a VISTA volunteer in Harlem (1966-1967) and worked with poor youth and families. Following his service obligation to VISTA, he returned to University of Washington where he was one of the original founders of the Black Student Union (BSU). As a respected student activist, he fought to eliminate racial discrimination and increase the enrollment of African Americans and other students of color at the University. After graduation, he became the first supervisor of the Black Student Division, in the Office of Minority Affairs.

Councilmember Gossett is extremely proud that in 1999, 13 years after the 1986 change of the County’s name to honor the slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he spearheaded the campaign to change the King County logo from an imperial crown to an image of Dr. King. In 2007, the King County Council unanimously adopted the change, becoming the only governmental entity in the nation to have as its logo the likeness of Dr. King. In the summer of 2008 the University of Washington Alumni Association gave him the esteemed honor of being selected as one of the “Wonderous 100,” one of the most influential UW graduates over the past 100 years.

Prior to his election to the King County Council, Councilmember Gossett was the Executive Director of the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP), one of the oldest and largest community action agencies in the City of Seattle. He was at CAMP from 1979 until 1993 when he was elected to the King County Council, representing District Two.

Councilmember Gossett is a highly respected community leader who has long advocated for the underrepresented and underprivileged in King County for his entire career. He is an advocate for programs that help inner-city youth and reduce racial and class disparities in our local criminal justice system. He has also spearheaded efforts to eliminate black-on-black violence and other manifestations of self-hatred by poor and disenfranchised populations.

Councilmember Gossett has traveled around the world in various community and political capacities. As a community activist, he traveled to Japan, Canada, Russia, and Nicaragua. He represented the King County Council on various trade missions to many countries in Asia (India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and South Korea), several countries in South America and South Africa, and most recently, Kent County in England.

Councilmember Gossett is a dynamic speaker, prolific writer, administrator and political activist. He has the ability to motivate and inspire people of all races and walks of life. He is dedicated to the cause of equal rights and economic freedom for all people.

He is married with three adult children and four beloved grandchildren.

I humbly ask for your vote, Tammy Morales for Seattle City Council D2

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I’m running to build power for our neighbors in District 2. I believe in prioritizing those most impacted by city policy – our low-income and working neighbors, elders, immigrants, our disabled neighbors, and communities of color – and in listening to your ideas.

As a daughter of a single mother, I have seen first hand the struggles that working families face trying to make ends meet.

Fighting for working families is why I’m an organizer with the Rainier Beach Action Coalition. It’s why I’m co-chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission. It’s why Congresswoman Jayapal called me a champion for working families when she endorsed me in this race.

It is time for the city to work for all of us, not just the wealthy few. If elected, I promise to continue listening to you and to bring your voices to City Hall.

 

Seattle’s Low Income Housing and Homelessness Advocates Unite on Jay Fathi for City Council

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Seattle’s Low Income Housing and Homelessness Advocates Unite on Jay Fathi for City Council

Rep. Nicole Macri joins Downtown Emergency Service Center Executive Director Daniel Malone, Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund in endorsing Jay Fathi for City Council

City Council candidate Jay Fathi announced he has been endorsed by State Representative Nicole Macri. Macri, who represents Washington’s 43rd Legislative District and also serves as Deputy Director for the Downtown Emergency Service Center, joins countless local leaders, progressive advocacy groups, labor unions, business groups, and community members in supporting Fathi.

“In a field of 13 candidates, I only trust Jay and his public health approach to move us forward to address homelessness in a pragmatic and humane way,” said Macri. “His demonstrated leadership and commitment to progressive values are exactly what our city needs to address our biggest challenges.”

“I’m grateful for Representative Macri’s support—she is a true champion for our unsheltered neighbors,” said Fathi. “I look forward to working with her and helping coordinate our response across all levels of government—something we must do if we’re to make progress on this public health crisis.”

Fathi earned the sole endorsement from the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund, as well as Downtown Emergency Service Center Executive Director Daniel Malone. He recently received the support of former District 6 candidate Bobby Miller, who himself is experiencing homelessness.

Speaking about Fathi, Miller told the Seattle Times, “I like that he understands addiction. It’s not like homeless versus the Seattle resident. It’s someone saying ‘there’s homelessness but inside of that there’s also addiction as well, and I have programs to work on at least that part of it.’”

As a family doctor at the 45th Street Community Clinic in Wallingford, Fathi provided care to thousands of under- and uninsured patients, including the homeless.

“I am the only candidate in this race with extensive, direct experience working with homeless and unsheltered neighbors in Seattle,” said Fathi. “Leaders in the fight against homelessness have endorsed me because I’ve demonstrated a clear understanding of this complex, multifaceted issue and understand the steps we must take to effectively respond.”

Progressive advocacy organizations have embraced Fathi’s candidacy, including him among the most progressive candidates in the city. Fathi received four stars from the Civic Alliance for a Progressive Economy, the highest score awarded in the race, and is the top ranked candidate in the FUSE Progressive Voter Guide.

Fathi has also received overwhelming support from some of Seattle’s largest and most well known labor and business groups, including SEIU 775, SEIU 925, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, UFCW 21, Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE), Washington Technology Industry Association, and Seattle Hospitality for Progress.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been successful because I listen first, make informed decisions, and work collaboratively with others to achieve meaningful results and positive outcomes. This is the same approach I’ll bring every day on the City Council,” said Fathi.

Learn more and see the full list of endorsers at JayforSeattle.com.

New firearms policies take effect

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Keeping Communities Safe

Voter approval of recent initiatives show that, for many years, the public was ahead of the legislature on keeping guns away from people intent on doing harm. However, the legislature is finally catching up, and this was a record year for gun responsibility measures.

Our work needs to continue, but I’m proud that we passed ten pieces of legislation to make our communities safer by reducing gun violence. And, our budget invests in overdue research into one of the most challenging and heartbreaking public health emergencies of our time.

These new laws we passed are now going into effect:

Gun violence research funding

  • Federal resources for gun violence research remain extremely limited, and we cannot keep waiting around hoping for the federal government to catch up. This year we are taking action by investing $1 million into a gun violence prevention research program at the University of Washington. This program will support investigations of firearm death and injury risk factors, evaluate the effectiveness of state firearm laws and policies, assess the consequences of firearm violence, and develop strategies to reduce the toll of firearm violence.

Protecting domestic violence victims, families, and law enforcement officers (HB 1225)

  • This new law addresses the deadly combination of domestic violence and firearms by requiring law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms they have probable cause to believe were threatened or used at the time of a domestic violence call. Officers must also temporarily remove firearms in plain sight and request consent to remove any firearms the alleged abuser has access to until a court hearing is held.

Ensuring proper gun purchase background checks (HB 1465)

  • The FBI is discontinuing courtesy National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks for concealed pistol license (CPL) holders in Washington state. Without them, there is a public safety risk because a person could present a forged or duplicated CPL, or one that should be revoked because of a disqualifying conviction. This bill makes sure the state provides necessary background checks to protect Washingtonians.

Banning “ghost guns” (HB 1739)

  • Untraceable and undetectable firearms are also referred to as “ghost guns” since they do not have serial numbers and may not contain enough metal components to be picked up by common metal detectors. The bill makes it illegal to manufacture, buy, sell, or possess an undetectable firearm in most circumstances.

Improving procedures for protection orders (HB 1786)

  • For too long, our standards for firearm removals for a protective order, no contact order and restraining order, or extreme risk protection order have been inconsistent. This has made it confusing and difficult for victims, courts, and law enforcement. This bill essentially aligns the ways in which law enforcement serves and implements these orders with our approach to extreme risk protection orders.

Single point of contact background check system (HB 1949)

  • Since the FBI is discontinuing the courtesy National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks in our state, there is an urgent need for a single point of contact firearm background check system. This bill conducts a feasibility study to examine and make recommendations about how such a system would be established.

Extreme risk protection orders (SB 5027) –

  • This bill came from a recommendation of the Mass Shooting Workgroup, which met during the 2018 interim. It is meant to help keep firearms out of the hands of minors who are at a high risk of hurting themselves or others during a behavioral health crisis or through potential violent behavior. It allows petitions for Extreme Risk Protection Orders to be applied to people under the age of 18 which, if approved, would prohibit the minor from accessing, controlling, purchasing, possessing or receiving a firearm. The minor’s parent or guardian would be notified of their legal obligation to safely secure any firearms.

Reducing the risk of suicide and murder-suicide (SB 5181)

  • There is evidence of increased risk of suicide or murder-suicide when a person is released from a 72-hour involuntary treatment hold. When someone is in crisis, giving them time to cool down and get the help they need saves lives. This bill imposes a six-month suspension on a person’s right to possess a firearm when the person is detained under the Involuntary Treatment Act.

Closing a loophole for safer communities (SB 5205)

  • This bill closes a loophole in the law created by accident a few years ago. A person who is incompetent to stand trial and has a history of violence is not competent to have a firearm. Under this bill, they are prohibited from possessing a firearm unless the court restores their firearm rights.

Clarifying concealed pistol license application procedures (SB 5508 and HB 1589)

  • SB 5508 clarifies that the background check for a concealed pistol license must include a national check from the FBI through the submission of fingerprints. HB 1589 modifies the requirements for the correctional personnel and community correction officer exemption from restrictions on carrying concealed pistols to reflect that the Department of Corrections already conducts annual background checks for its employees as standard procedure.

Cantwell Announces $4.28M in New Housing Grants for Pierce County

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U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Pierce County will receive $3 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. In addition, the county will also receive $1.282 million from HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).

 

The CDBG program helps support home ownership, housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and economic development projects in communities throughout the country. Since 1974, the program has invested more than $153 billion in communities nationwide, and the program has helped leverage $4.09 in non-CDBG funding for every $1.00 of funding given out through the program.

 

The HOME program is the federal government’s only block grant program to help state and local governments create more affordable housing units for low-income families The program has created more than 1.3 million units since 1992 and provided direct rental assistance to more than 356,000 low-income families nationwide. It serves urban, suburban, and rural communities, providing resources for seniors, persons with disabilities, homeless families and individuals, and military veterans.

 

Senator Cantwell has long been a supporter of the CDBG program and the HOME program. She has also prioritized investment in affordable housing, helping to secure nearly $3 billion in additional affordable housing funding in March 2018 and introducing legislation earlier this year to increase investment in affordable housing and provide more resources and stronger protections for at-risk groups.