Human Interests Blog Human Services

Human Interests

Seattle Human Services news and events

Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Clear Channel launch multi-language domestic violence awareness campaign

by

Today, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault joined Clear Channel Outdoor to unveil a campaign in five languages—English, Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese and Somali—to combat domestic violence in Seattle. Other partners include the Multi-lingual Access Project.

This campaign is intended to address domestic violence, which impacts approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men who are physically assaulted by an intimate partner in the United States. In Washington State 19% of women and 9% of men reported experiencing domestic violence during their lifetime. Women of color are at 2.5 to 3.5 times greater risk for domestic violence homicides than their white counterparts. Additionally, women living in low-income households are at heightened risk of domestic violence.

With the goal of preventing domestic violence and promoting culturally appropriate resources to better support survivors and their family, beginning today and running through December 1, 2015, messages about domestic violence will be on billboards throughout Seattle.

“All residents, including immigrants and refugees, must have access to resources and support systems that help end domestic violence,” said Mayor Murray. “Thank you to Clear Channel Outdoor and our partners for this effort to reach Seattle’s newest families.

“We are proud to be part of such an important campaign to continue our support of this effort to bring attention to domestic violence in Seattle. Billboards are a powerful way to reach people while also targeting specific audiences, and Clear Channel has a long history of working with law enforcement, government agencies and nonprofits on myriad public safety and community building initiatives.” said Pam Guinn, president, CCOA-Washington State. “Domestic violence is a pervasive scourge that affects all of us in all of our communities and so we hope this campaign will be a strong and visible step forward in the fight against this crime.”

Annually, the Seattle Human Services Department through the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault invests in more than $5.2 million in services and programs to address sexual exploitation, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, intervention, coordinated response and offenders’ accountability programs.

Call 1-888-847-7205 to get help, toll-free, 24 hours-a-day, every day of the year. The hotline is available in English and Spanish, and in more than 15 languages through the use of interpreters.

Learn more about this campaign and the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, here.

###

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies with more than 675,000 displays in over 40 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and North America.  Reaching millions of people monthly, including consumers in 45 of the top 50 U.S. markets, Clear Channel Outdoor enables advertisers to engage with consumers through innovative advertising solutions.  Clear Channel Outdoor is pioneering the integration of out-of-home with mobile and social platforms, and the company’s digital platform includes more than 8,000 screens worldwide, with 1,175 digital billboards across 37 U.S. markets.

NO MORE AMHARIC POSTER NO MORE ENGLISH POSTER NO MORE SOMALI POSTER NO MORE SPANISH POSTER NO MORE VIETNAMESE POSTER

 

City submits Area Plan on Aging to State

by

Seattle, WA— Today, as the designee by the State of Washington as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for King County, the Seattle Human Services Department has submitted the Area Plan is a State-required document that guides the work of ADS over the next four years. It reflects the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, and highlights our goals for developing livable communities. The plan describes relevant demographic trends; the function, staffing and structure of the AAA; the functions provided directly by the AAA and those that are subcontracted; and major service goals and objectives. The plan also summarizes the ADS annual budget of $38 million in federal, state and local resources, and is updated every two years. Final State approval is expected in early 2016.

Through its Aging and Disability Services Division, HSD invests $38 million in federal, state and local resources to help meet the needs of King County’s fastest growing population-seniors. In King County seventeen percent of the population is age 60 and older. This represents a 43 percent increase since the year 2000.  The fastest-growing segment of the total population is the “oldest old”—age 85 and older.

Among residents age 60 and older roughly 23 percent (78,504) are people of color —up four percent from 2011. Of residents age 65 and older, 19 percent (41,899) speak a language other than English at home and three percent (7,431) do not speak any English. Further, as the older adult population becomes more diverse, the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults is also expected to grow.

To guide the development of the plan, ADS conducted an extensive community engagement process, collaborated with experts on issues areas, and conducted research on the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities. The greatest needs and areas of concern were related to housing, health/healthcare, transportation, safety and socialization. Strategies to address these needs include preparing both consumers and local governments for an aging population. Specific efforts include making sure people have access to information and resources before they are needed (Community Living Connections) and collaborating across sectors to create “age friendly” communities.

The Area Plan outlines the following issues and goals:

  • Maximize current program, funding and staff capacity to meet the needs of complex Long-Term Services and Supports clients.
  • Delay Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports by encouraging health promotion and disease prevention; increasing awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, memory care and wellness for older adults and adults with disabilities; and reducing the incidence of falls.
  • Integrate Aging and Disability Network services with other health and human services systems for better health and better care at a lower cost.
  • Ensure greater success for Native American elders in King County.
  • Promote/develop a regional framework to increase awareness about the aging population; influence municipalities, stakeholders, policy and decision makers, and consumers to prepare their communities for the aging population; and encourage people of all ages to keep moving and stay connected.

The draft Area Plan 2016–2019 is available online.

 ###

 The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

Seattle Human Services Department announces $225K in available funding to support homeless youth

by

Seattle, WA – Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced $224,131 in available funding to support homeless youth the with case management and drop-in center services to youth and young adults.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to community-based, non-profit agencies that are currently providing services for homeless youth and young adults. HSD is interested in funding one agency to take on the contract for the current University District Youth Center (UDYC) site, leased from the University Congregational United Church of Christ, and provide drop-in center basic need services and PRO Youth (Partners Reaching Out to Youth Countywide) Case Management.

Funding will be focused on two full-time case managers connecting homeless youth and young adults to housing and increased income, as well as drop-in center staff providing basic need services including but not limited to: laundry, showers, meals, clothing, and resource sharing.

The $224,131in funding is made available through HSD general fund ($113,255), PRO Youth-McKinney Fund ($69,397) and PRO Youth-HSD General Fund-McKinney Match ($41,479). The application deadline is Monday, October 12, 2015 by 12p.m.

 The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information about HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

 ###

Mayor announces new actions to expand enrollment in Utility Discount Program

by

Utility bills will be cut in half for thousands more low-income Seattle families under a new plan to simplify enrollment in the City’s Utility Discount Program (UDP) for those who live in subsidized housing or receive nutrition assistance. The average discount for UDP-enrolled customers is more than $800 a year.

Under a new partnership with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC), any individual or family who lives in a subsidized apartment with income requirements that also meet UDP income eligibility will be automatically enrolled in the utility discount. Residents be informed on Sept. 1.

“Housing costs are the largest expense a family faces in our growing city, and utility bills are no small part of that burden,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “We have one of the most progressive utility discounts in the country, but the administrative burden has been a barrier for too many. Today, we’re making it simple: if you qualify for subsidized housing or food assistance, we will make it easy to cut your utility bills in half.”

The new partnership is an agreement that the Housing Finance Commission will share the addresses of units that fall into the UDP eligibility range so the occupants can be auto enrolled. Residents’ names or other personal information will not be shared. The income of these renters is already verified annually.

“Rent is only one of the costs of housing—utilities take their toll as well,” said WSHFC Chair Karen Miller.  “By sharing this data that we already collect, we can help make housing more affordable for thousands of Seattle residents, and that’s why we’re very excited about this collaboration with the city.”

Up to 5,000 utility customers may benefit from this change. Units that include a federal utility credit would not be eligible.

“We were new to the Seattle area and had very limited income and our apartment manager thoughtfully suggested we apply for the utility discount program,” said Yolanda and Chris, residents in a Bellwether Housing building. “It has been very helpful to us since we were approved last October. We try to be conscientious with our energy usage and indeed went under the City Light estimate of usage. Thank you Seattle and Bellwether for your support in helping us make our transition to becoming Seattleites a little easier.”

To ease the application process for other customers, those already enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer be required to provide income verification. Beginning Sept. 1, City staff will now have the ability to verify the customer’s income through SNAP’s Washington Connection database. An estimated 8,500 SNAP recipients in Seattle are eligible to apply for utility discounts through this simplified approach.

The income limit for SNAP is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, which falls within UDP income requirements. The City will conduct random audits of up to 10 percent of enrollees to ensure continued income eligibility.

“All of us at Bellwether are excited to be a part of this partnership. This program will be a great benefit to our residents and will enable everyone who is eligible to auto enroll,” said Doug Daley, executive director of Bellwether Housing. “This will save staff time and – more importantly – will help low-income Seattle families save money each month so they can afford other necessities like food, childcare, clothes and transportation.”

For lower-income customers who qualify, Seattle’s Utility Discount Program offers 50 percent off Public Utilities bills and 60 percent off City Light bills. Nearly 18,000 customers are currently enrolled (an increase of nearly 4,000 since January 2014), but many more are eligible and have not signed up. Murray has set a goal of 28,000 customers enrolled in UDP by the end of 2018.

The income limits for the utility discounts is 70 percent of state median income: $31,000 a year for an individual and $60,000 for a family of four.

“Research has shown decisively that opt-out enrollment for low income programs are far more effective in enrolling eligible households and improving their living standards,” said Councilmember Kshama Sawant. “I have been advocating for the Utility Discount Program to switch to opt-out, and I’m glad we are taking a significant step in that direction.”

“Thanks to the Mayor for making improvements to the Utility Discount Program,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “We are working hand in hand to make the program readily available to all who qualify.  Reducing bureaucracy and speeding the application process are very good outcomes.”

“The Utility Discount Program makes Seattle more affordable for low-income households, and the automatic enrollment is a great example of City and State agencies sharing data and working together to improve service delivery,” said Councilmember John Okamoto.

Additional details and information on how to enroll for the Utility Discount Program is available here.

 In a related move, Murray will send a draft ordinance to Council so that all the City’s utility assistance programs use the standard of 70 percent of state median income to determine eligibility. Seattle City Light administers another program to help customers pay overdue utility bills, the Emergency Low Income Assistance program. Eligible customers can receive one assistance grant every 12 months. The income limit for the program is 125 percent of the federal poverty level, more restrictive than the City’s other utility assistance programs. After the change, an estimated 200 additional City Light customers who receive shut-off notices each year would be eligible for the grant.

-MoS-

 

HSD announces $1.3 million in available funds for sexual assault victim services

by

Seattle, WA – Today, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault announced the release of $1.3 million in available funding to support commercial sexual exploitation victim support services, sexual assault victim services, and gender-based violence prevention.  The Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is housed in the Human Services Department.

Approximately $592,119 is available is available to nonprofit agencies interested in providing sexual assault victim services for adult and child victims of sexual assault.   The intent of this Request for Investment (RFI) is to provide supportive victim-centered interventions to victims following incidents of sexual assault to help prevent complex, long-term health and mental health struggles. HSD will fund services consistent the Washington State Office of Crime Victim’s Advocacy’s service standards for sexual assault victim services.  Eligible activities for victim services funding may include crisis intervention, information and referral, general advocacy, medical advocacy, and legal advocacy. Funding for this RFI is available from the HSD General Fund. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 2, 2015 by 12 pm.

The second pool of funding is approximately $350,000 which is available to nonprofit organizations experienced in providing commercial sexual exploitation victim services for youth and adults. The intent of this Request for Investment (RFI) is to fund approximately two collaborations to provide victim support services focused on information, assistance, referrals, advocacy-based counseling and intensive case management, coordinated response, crisis intervention, community outreach and advocacy, and support groups to provide victims safety and stability. Funding for this RFI is available from the HSD General Fund ($159,928) and from the Sexual Abuse of Minors, Prostituted Children Rescue Fund, and Sex Industry Victims Fund ($190,072). The application deadline is Wednesday, September 2, 2015 by 12 pm.

The third investment announced today is $350,000 available to nonprofit organizations interested in providing gender-based violence prevention services for Seattle youth ages 10 to 18. The purpose of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is to fund up to three prevention programs to educate youth in healthy relationship skills which increases safety and protection against future violence while promoting change in attitudes, values, and behaviors that support ending gender-based violence.  For the purposes of this RFP gender-based violence is defined by dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation.

Further, gender-based violence is often directed at an individual based on his or her biological sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity. It includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and economic deprivation. It can include domestic and dating violence, sex trafficking and forced labor, sexual coercion, violence and abuse, neglect, elder abuse, harmful traditional practices such as early and forced marriage, “honor” killings, and female genital mutilation/cutting.

Funding for this RFI is available from the HSD General Fund ($316,000) and from Sex Industry Victims Fund and Sexual Abuse of Minors Fund ($34,000). The application deadline is Wednesday, September 2, 2015 by 12 pm.

For more information HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year.  The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

 

Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative develops nearly 2000 opportunities for Seattle youth

by

Today Mayor Ed Murray announced that his Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative has created nearly 2,000 positions for young people across the city, from summer jobs through Seattle Parks and other City agencies, to internships at private-sector employers. Financial support from private donors generated twice as many opportunities for Seattle youth as last year.

“In this year’s State of the City, I called for double the number of positions for Seattle youth,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “Our private-sector leaders are expanding the youth employment program with new opportunities and energy. Through these partnerships, young people will develop new skills for success in the workplace, building toward a bright future.”

To support the effort, JPMorgan Chase awarded the City of Seattle $500,000 over two years to fund youth internships and deliver national best practices to increase employer engagement in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative. Russell Investments and Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation have pledged an additional $75,000 to fund internships.

“I can think of no better way for the private sector to invest in our city than by embracing our youth,” said Councilmember John Okamoto. “Employers participating in the Mayor’s initiative are developing talent that will drive our economic future.”

Starbucks Coffee Company has hired interns this summer, along with other private sector contributors, including Amazon, Bank of America, The Boeing Company, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Google, Ivar’s, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Swedish Medical Center, and Vulcan.

In Seattle, the youth unemployment rate is over 13 percent and for low‐income youth and young people of color, it’s even worse. Nationally, youth unemployment is 12.1 percent in June 2015, double the 5.3 percent national average.

“As a major employer and partner of our K-12 schools, community colleges, and non-profit workforce training providers, JPMorgan Chase views closing the Skills Gap and providing meaningful career pathways to good paying jobs as two of the most crucial issues of our time,” said JPMorgan Chase Chairman of the Pacific Northwest, Phyllis Campbell. “We feel our support of the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative is an important way we are helping to build the long-term success of the local economy.”

This year, through the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative, eligible youth and young adults will receive paid work experience in positions at various city departments and at private sector placements based on their career interest. To date, the City has identified 1,972 positions and expects to surpass the goal of 2,000 opportunities well before the end of the year.

“When you give a young person their first summer job, you’re opening up a pathway to meaningful employment and lifelong opportunity,” said Blair Taylor, chief community officer for Starbucks, which is participating in this year’s program and plans to hire 10,000 disconnected youth across the U.S. by 2018. “This is ultimately about coming together to provide the skills, training and job opportunities young people need to participate in the 21st century economy.”

Employment opportunities for young people not only provide needed income and skills training, they can result in healthier, safer lives for youth. In one Chicago study, for example, young people from high-crime neighborhoods were nearly half as likely to be victims of violent crime when they had summer jobs.

The Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative has been able to leverage $855,080 of private sector funding to match the $2.5 million investment of the Human Services Department’s General Funds. These contributions were critical for expanding this year’s summer youth employment program, and to further expand the program moving forward.

“Russell Investments is proud to support the much-needed Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative,” said Len Brennan, president and CEO of Russell Investments. “Increasing employment and internship opportunities for Seattle’s youth continues a nearly 80-year tradition of helping improve the quality of life for people in the communities where our associates live and work.”

The summer internship program is open to youth and young adults, ages 14-24 who live in Seattle. In 2015, Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative received over 3,700 internship applications, up from 432 youth applications last year—an increase of 81 percent. It is expected that the demand of young people seeking employment will continue to grow in the coming years. To ensure that all eligible youth are able to participate in the program, the City of Seattle is inviting additional employers to participate either by hosting internships next summer or during the school year. If employers are unable to host interns, they can contribute to the pool of funds to pay the wages of students placed at other companies.

###

City Announces Overnight Emergency Shelter in Uptown

by

The City of Seattle will convert the City Light owned building located at 157 Roy Street into an emergency shelter to help serve individuals living unsheltered on Seattle streets.  The shelter will open this fall in two phases. The first phase is for 50 beds and the second phase is for an additional 50 beds after substantial alterations required by the building code are complete.

“Emergency shelter opens the door to human services and a safe place to sleep for a person experiencing a crisis of homelessness,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “The Roy Street property is currently vacant at a time when 3,000 people are sleeping on our streets. Working with DESC, we are fulfilling our commitment for additional shelter beds, a central recommendation from my Emergency Task Force on Unsheltered Homelessness.”

In April 2015, Mayor Murray announced that he planned to partner with the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) to fund operations of a new 100 bed shelter in a City of Seattle-owned property.   At that time a total of $350,000 was identified as the ongoing operating cost to fund the shelter. Since then, the Human Services Department and Finance and Administrative Services Department identified the Roy Street location as a City-owned property that is appropriate for temporary housing. The City of Seattle will use Human Services Department general funds to cover the cost of operating the shelter in 2015.  This shelter will be managed by the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC).

“The Downtown Emergency Service Center is proud to partner with the City of Seattle to enhance the safety of our most vulnerable residents,” said Daniel Malone, Downtown Emergency Service Center Executive Director.  “I appreciate Mayor Ed Murray’s leadership addressing the region’s homelessness crisis.”

“The Human Services Department is pleased to partner with Downtown Emergency Service Center, an experienced homelessness service provider to operate the overnight shelter for medically fragile seniors at this new shelter,” said Catherine Lester, Seattle Human Services Department Director.  “This partnership with DESC will also facilitate the pilot of a portfolio of services for shelter residents with the goal of getting them on the path to permanent housing within the federal goal of 20 days.”

The shelter is for adult men who are over 60 years of age or are disabled.  The shelter will operate from 10 pm to 6 am.  The men will be screened and referred from the downtown DESC location to prevent queuing lines outside the shelter.

Daytime access to the shelter will be limited to janitorial services and shelter staff.

To ensure the safety of the shelter stayers, three awake and alert shelter staff will be on duty during shelter sleeping hours to keep diligent watch for fires, obstructions to exits, and any other hazards during the time that people are sleeping.  Food preparation at the site will be limited to reheating of food in microwaves. The on-site commercial washer and dryers for shelter linens will be operated by shelter staff only.

This announcement aligns with the Homeless Investment Analysis, which highlighted the need to work with service providers in a new, collaborative manner to ensure Seattle’s unsheltered homeless residents can quickly access shelter, be matched with a housing resource, and receive assistance in finding permanent, affordable housing.  Today’s announcement is also in response to the recommendation by the Mayor’s Task Force on Unsheltered Homelessness to consider the use of City-owned facilities and shelters. This task force was created in October 2014 to develop recommendations addressing the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Seattle.

Human Services Department and DESC staff will hold a community meeting to discuss the shelter on July 28th at 6:00 pm in the Seattle Center Armory Loft Room #2  (305 Harrison Street).  View a campus map.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year.  The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

###

Like us on Facebook.   Follow us on Twitter.

HSD announces new enrollment location for utility discounts

by

Seattle, WA – Beginning today, representatives for the Utility Discount Program (UDP) will be available to process applications for the program at the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center. The program offers up to 50 percent off monthly utility bills for Seattle residents that qualify.  This new service is part of the Mayor’s commitment to double enrollment in the program to 28,000 by the end of 2018.

“Even as our economy grows, thousands of Seattle families struggle to make ends meet,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “Our minimum wage is on the rise, we are working to reduce the cost of housing, and we must do more to help families pay their utility bills. By working with the helpful counselors at the Financial Empowerment Center, we know we can spread the word and get more folks enrolled to receive these discounts.”

“The Utility Discount Program is critical for Seattle’s working families and individuals to get and stay current with their utility payments, said Catherine Lester, Human Services Director.  “By co-locating UDP services with the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center we are not only increasing efficiencies in our financial assistance programs, we are also making these programs accessible to the Seattle residents that need them most.”

The UDP is available for residential City Light and Seattle Public Utilities customers only and does not apply to residences used for business purposes.  To qualify, a family of four must earn a yearly income at or below $59,292.   Income guidelines can be found here.

With funding from the City of Seattle and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center was launched in April 2014 in partnership with Neighborhood House, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence, health and community building.

Neighborhood House operates the full-time central hub in Rainier Vista – a redeveloped low-income housing neighborhood – and four satellite locations. Most sites offer counseling in multiple languages, including Vietnamese, Somali, Nepali/Hindi and Spanish. The FEC sites are:

  • Neighborhood House (Main Location)
  • North Seattle College – Opportunity Center for Employment & Education (OCE&E)
  • Renton WorkSource
  • Wiley Center at Greenbridge
  • YWCA Opportunity Place

While visiting the Financial Empowerment Center, residents can check their eligibility for other city benefit programs such as reduced cable TV service, reduced internet and phone service, and the $20 Car Tab Rebate that was just started in June of this year.  Clients are also encouraged to take advantage of other FEC programs including obtaining a free or low fee bank account, a free credit report, debt management & consolidation for qualified customers, free tax preparation and assistance building saving plans.

The Financial Empowerment Center will have Utility Discount Representatives available on Tuesdays from 9 to 4. Interested parties should check appointment availability by calling 206.923.6555 or by checking the website at fec.Seattle.gov.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year.  The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

###

Like us on Facebook.   Follow us on Twitter.

City identifies public lands for permitted encampment sites

by

Today Mayor Ed Murray released a map of City-owned properties most suitable for new permitted encampments to serve at least 200 individuals experiencing homelessness. The mayor will transmit a resolution on the encampment sites to the Seattle City Council tomorrow.

The three preferred sites for 2015 are:

Four sites were identified as potential future locations:

“Permitted encampments are not a permanent solution to the crisis of homelessness we are experiencing in Seattle,” said Murray. “These encampments will provide a safer community environment than sleeping under a highway overpass or on a park bench. Residents will have improved access to services and we hope to open the door to permanent housing as quickly as we can.”

The mayor proposed and the City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that allows up to three permitted encampments of no more than 100 persons each on City-owned or private property. Each location will be permitted for one year with the possibility of permit renewal for an additional year. Each site must be vacant for one year between encampments.

“The One Night Count, tells us that there were over 2800 people in our community living without shelter this year,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “Identifying city-owned sites for transitional encampments is an important next step. I look forward to working with community to establish up to three sites where people can stay safely and in community as we seek permanent housing solutions.”

“I am right by Mayor Murray’s side as we create safe spaces for community members who are without shelter,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “Managed encampments will offer the most basic resources for people, such as a 24-hour shelter with public health services, hygiene facilities, and potentially access to electricity. I wholeheartedly support this approach which will make our city better for all of us.”

Before recommending the sites, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development reviewed more than 135 vacant City-owned parcels. The ordinance adopted by the Council limits encampment locations to unused property in non-residential zones, excluding park properties. Each encampment must be at least one mile from other legal encampments. The City estimates that one-time start-up costs for the encampments will be $32,000, with annual lease costs and services for encampment residents of approximately $200,000 already provided in the 2015 budget.

HSD has selected two encampment operators through a qualification review process: SHARE and Nickelsville. The encampment ordinance requires that operators have prior experience managing shelters, low-income housing or homeless encampments. The Murray Administration continues to reach out to other faith-based and non-profit organizations that may be interested in operating an encampment.

The encampment operators are responsible for safety and security within the camp and residents will be screened by the operators for acceptance. A third organization, Low Income Housing Institute, will provide case management services to individuals living in the encampments.

HSD contractors and staff will make regular site visits to support SHARE and Nickelsville, and coordinate public health, medical outreach and food assistance.

“A place to store your things, sit and talk with friends, and rest your head at night are taken for granted by most of us,” said Mark Putnam of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. “For many, however, these are not givens. Encampments can offer a temporary safe place for people to be human, while working to get back into stable housing.”

“The Mayor rightly sees the crisis facing people experiencing homelessness as requiring a response that includes the safety and community of sanctioned encampments,” said Michael Ramos of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. “We welcome this step to expand the continuum of care to meet this most basic of human needs.”

Encampment operators will form a Community Advisory Committee to respond to community concerns, review operations standards, and work with neighbors when encampments move to new permitted sites.

View Frequently Asked Questions here.

 

City identifies public lands for permitted encampment sites

by

Today Mayor Ed Murray released a map of City-owned properties most suitable for new permitted encampments to serve at least 200 individuals experiencing homelessness. The mayor will transmit a resolution on the encampment sites to the Seattle City Council tomorrow.

The three preferred City-owned sites for 2015 are:

  • 2826 NW Market Street for approximately 52 residents.
  • 3234 17th Avenue W for approximately 70 residents.
  • Industrial Way between 5th and 6th Avenue S for approximately 78 residents.

Four City-owned sites were identified as potential future locations:

  • 8030 15th Avenue NW for approximately 36 residents.
  • 3830 4th Avenue NE for approximately 64 residents.
  • 7115 2nd Avenue SW for approximately 95 residents.
  • 7110 Rainier Avenue S for approximately 32 residents.

“Permitted encampments are not a permanent solution to the crisis of homelessness we are experiencing in Seattle,” said Murray. “These encampments will provide a safer community environment than sleeping under a highway overpass or on a park bench. Residents will have improved access to services and we hope to open the door to permanent housing as quickly as we can.”

This year the mayor proposed and the City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that allows up to three permitted encampments of no more than 100 persons each on City-owned or private property. Each location will be permitted for one year, with the possibility of permit renewal for an additional year. Each site must be vacant for one year between encampments.

“The One Night Count, tells us that there were over 2800 people in our community living without shelter this year,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “Identifying city-owned sites for transitional encampments is an important next step. I look forward to working with community to establish up to three sites where people can stay safely and in community as we seek permanent housing solutions.”

“I am right by Mayor Murray’s side as we create safe spaces for community members who are without shelter,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “Managed encampments will offer the most basic resources for people, such as a 24-hour shelter with public health services, hygiene facilities, and potentially access to electricity. I wholeheartedly support this approach which will make our city better for all of us.”

Before recommending the sites, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development reviewed more than 135 vacant City-owned parcels. The ordinance adopted by the Council limits encampment locations to unused property in non-residential zones, excluding park properties. Each encampment must be at least one mile from other legal encampments.

The City estimates that one-time start-up costs for the encampments will be $32,000, with annual lease costs and services for encampment residents of approximately $200,000 already provided in the 2015 budget.

Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) has selected two encampment operators through a qualification review process: SHARE and Nickelsville. The encampment ordinance requires that operators have prior experience managing shelters, low-income housing or homeless encampments. The Murray Administration continues to reach out to other faith-based and non-profit organizations that may be interested in operating an encampment.

The encampment operators are responsible for safety and security within the camp and residents will be screened by the operators for acceptance. A third organization, Low Income Housing Institute, will provide case management services to individuals living in the encampments.

HSD contractors and staff will make regular site visits to support SHARE and Nickelsville, and coordinate public health, medical outreach and food assistance.

“A place to store your things, sit and talk with friends, and rest your head at night are taken for granted by most of us,” said Mark Putnam of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. “For many, however, these are not givens. Encampments can offer a temporary safe place for people to be human, while working to get back into stable housing.”

“The Mayor rightly sees the crisis facing people experiencing homelessness as requiring a response that includes the safety and community of sanctioned encampments,” said Michael Ramos of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. “We welcome this step to expand the continuum of care to meet this most basic of human needs.”

Encampment operators will form a Community Advisory Committee to respond to community concerns, review operations standards, and work with neighbors when encampments move to new permitted sites.

A fact sheet can be found here.