Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) and Clear Channel Outdoor to unveil a campaign to raise awareness of a new partnership between the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light which will provide households up to $200 in utility account credits for customers who complete financial counseling at the Seattle FEC.

Income-qualified customers who complete FEC counseling will receive a onetime credit to both their Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utility bill not to exceed $100.00, per account. FEC counseling consists of, but is not limited to, a financial health assessment, creation of a budget, and when applicable, a payment arrangement with both Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light. To be eligible for the account credit, household income cannot exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income.

“The Seattle Human Services Department is proud to partner with Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities and Clear Channel Outdoor to ensure that Seattle remains an inclusive, accommodating and affordable city”, said Catherine Lester, Director of the Seattle Human Services Department. “We must take bold steps, including making City services more affordable, to ensure working class families can achieve financial empowerment”.

“We are proud to continue helping vulnerable residents take control of their futures by using our media to point them to basic financial knowledge available from financial empowerment centers.  Billboards are a powerful way to reach people while also targeting specific audiences that may be heavily effected by predatory lending and lack of access to resources said Pam Guinn, president, CCOA-Washington State. “Financial literacy affects all of us in all of our communities and this campaign will help qualified families learn how to save money and reduce their debt by receiving financial counseling.”

With funding from the City of Seattle and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center was launched in April 2014. HSD partners with nonprofit organizations to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence and health. Neighborhood House and El Centro de la Raza Agencies operate the Seattle FEC with Human

As part of FEC counseling, residents can complete an application for other city benefit programs such as Utility Discount Program, $20 Car Rebate Program, Seattle City Light Emergency Low Income Assistance and Project Share Programs, and Seattle Public Utilities Emergency Assistance Program. Clients are also encouraged to take advantage of other FEC services including obtaining a free or low fee bank account, a free credit report, debt management, free tax preparation and assistance building saving plans.

Interested utility customers should check appointment availability by calling 206.923.6555 or by checking the website at fec.seattle.gov. Spanish speakers should call 206.957.4610.

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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.

 Spanish translation:

 

Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine have declared emergencies, and joined by Seattle City Councilmembers Mike O’Brien, Sally Bagshaw and John Okamoto, outlined new investments to respond to the growing crisis of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Seattle and King County.

This morning, Mayor Murray signed a Proclamation of Civil Emergency and Executive Constantine signed a Local Proclamation of Emergency in response to the growing crisis.

“Seattle is facing an emergency as a result of the growing crisis in homelessness,” said Mayor Murray. “The City is prepared to do more as the number of people in crisis continues to rise, but our federal and state partners must also do more. Cities cannot do this alone. Addressing homelessness must be a national priority with a federal response.”

Murray and Seattle City Councilmembers today outlined a $5.3 million package to respond to the growing demand for services. For more information, see details of the new City investments and Frequently Asked Questions.

“Emergency declarations are associated with natural disasters, but the persistent and growing phenomenon of homelessness – here and nationwide – is a human-made crisis just as devastating to thousands as a flood or fire,” said Executive Constantine. “We call on the federal and state governments to take action, including shouldering more responsibility for affordable housing, mental health treatment, and addiction services.”

Executive Constantine has proposed $2 million in investments, some of which are already pending before the King County Council, to address immediate human needs and the root causes of homelessness.

Last winter’s One Night Count found 3,772 men, women, and children without shelter in King County, including more than 2,800 in Seattle – a 21 percent increase over 2014. In 2015, 66 homeless people have died in King County, including 47 on the streets and in unpermitted encampments in Seattle. The state now reports that 35,000 people in King County become newly homeless at some point during the year.

The City of Seattle already invests more than $40 million annually to assist people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, including single adults, youth, families, domestic violence survivors, older adults, and veterans. King County invests $36 million a year to assist individuals and families at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Murray cited a decline in federal housing support and slim state budgets for mental health and substance abuse treatments as factors that have increased the burden on local governments. A decade ago, City resources represented less than 40 percent of the total funding for homelessness services. The City is now responsible for over 60 percent of homelessness investments.

Council President Burgess said he would move the legislation necessary to authorize the new resources through the Council quickly. “This is an example of the Mayor and Council working together toward effective solutions,” said Burgess. “We will continue to invest wisely on behalf of our neighbors in need.”

“We are stepping up today to fight the growing crisis of homelessness in our city and throughout the region,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “This package the City is introducing today will help us meet the immediate needs of many on our streets with additional outreach, services, and shelter. We are doing everything we can locally, but we need the support of our state and federal governments to fully address the emergency we are experiencing.”

“Emergency shelter is an immediate necessity, but these new investments in prevention are aimed at reducing the long-term problem of homelessness,” said Councilmember John Okamoto. “With additional flexible resources for those on the verge of homelessness and assistance for those ready to return to permanent housing, we can lift more families out of crisis.”

Seattle funds over 1,600 shelter beds that serve 13,000 individuals a year. Half of those who are served in shelters do not re-experience homelessness in Seattle. But with shelters at 90 percent occupancy, today the City announced a commitment for another 100 beds.

“Seattle, King County, and our suburban neighbors are responding to the growing crisis of homelessness together,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “When governments, human services providers, and faith institutions collaborate, we will add more housing and create more healthy places for people to sleep and be safe. When each person and family gets the housing and services they need, we will respectfully help them move up and on with their lives.”

There are 32,000 homeless children in Washington state, with nearly 3,000 homeless children currently attending Seattle Public Schools. On average, that’s more than 1 student per Seattle classroom. Bailey Gatzert Elementary, a school of 350 students, served 71 homeless students last school year.

“Families who are homeless deal with many complex obstacles; finding stable housing is only one of them,” said Greg Imel, principal at Bailey Gatzert. “Like all other families, they want a consistent educational environment for their children to learn and to thrive. We need to do more for our homeless children in the City of Seattle and in Seattle Schools. Homelessness has become an epidemic. And it is our moral imperative to address our children’s basic needs.”

The City is currently analyzing all homelessness investments and expanding data collection to ensure resources are targeted at the most effective strategies. Seattle is also launching a new effort to reduce administrative burden on agencies by allowing non-profit partners to provide a range of services under portfolio contracts, rather than separate contracts for each type of service.

“YWCA works to effect lasting change for women and families in our region through services and advocacy,” said Sue Sherbrooke of the YWCA. “Last year, our agency sheltered 2,200 individuals without homes and provided case management to 5,300 more. Yet more people every day face homelessness than our systems can possibly serve. This crisis will grow as our region grows, unless additional measures are taken at the state and federal level to address it.”

Those interested in joining the effort to respond to the homelessness crisis should visit www.allhomekc.org and review All Home’s strategic plan.

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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.

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 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, 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.

 

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.

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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 28^th 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.

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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.

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