Transcript Influencing Change Through Advocacy at the State Level 2006 National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference Ending Homelessness: Plan, Act, Succeed.

Influencing Change
Through Advocacy at the State Level
2006 National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference
Ending Homelessness: Plan, Act, Succeed
Washington State Demographics
WA State Population: 6,287,759
Number of homeless persons in WA State: 20,774
Median single-family home in Seattle: $338,600
(requires an average family income of more than $80,000
per year)
Median single-family home in King County: $434,950
Washington State Population Density
Capital Resources in Washington State
 Housing Trust Fund
 Federal funds
 Seattle Housing Levy
 Combined capital funding application
process
 Tax credit application with
homelessness priority
A Sea Change Began in 2000 . . .
Sound Families - Three Puget Sound Counties
• Funds housing & support services for homeless
families in the Puget Sound Region
• $40 million challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation
• Seven regional housing authorities committed projectbased Section 8 vouchers & project-based exit
vouchers
• Steering Committee includes representatives from 3
counties, government jurisdictions, public housing
authorities, & Washington State
Taking Sound Families Statewide
Building on evaluation and experience of
Sound Families:
 Legislative champions
 Statewide advocates
 Housing and homeless coalitions and providers
 Public housing authorities
 Local governments
 Business
 Philanthropy
Washington Families Fund (2004)
Authorization and Purpose:
The Fund was authorized by the Washington State
Legislature. It received an initial appropriation of $2
million, plus an additional $4 million in 2006.
The purpose of the Fund is to expand the availability
of supportive housing - an effective model for helping
homeless families - by providing stable long-term
funding for housing-based services across Washington
State.
Washington Families Fund (WFF)
• WFF provides 10 years of service funding
• Is a public-private partnership that leverages and
increases funding for services statewide.
• The initial $2 million investment of State funds required
matching private contributions. The Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation pledged $2 million, and established their
second $1 million as a challenge grant.
• Eleven local foundations/corporations and more than 100
individuals made the $1million match.
• Housing operations costs are covered by Section 8
Housing Choice Vouchers or other rental subsidies.
Sound Families-Washington Families Fund
Successful Philanthropic Collaborations Require:
 Strong philanthropic leadership
 Key partnerships
 Educating other potential funders
 Leveraging public and other philanthropic funds
 A nonprofit intermediary with a solid track record
State Operating Funds for Low-Income
Housing (2002)
Funded by a $10 document recording fee on real
estate transactions in all counties (HB2060)
 Counties keep 60% of revenue; 40% goes to the
State housing agency for a statewide grant
program
 Provides capital and operations support
 Includes up to 5 years of rental subsidy to buy
down rent levels from 80% - 15% of
Area Median Income
Homelessness, Housing & Assistance Act (2005)
An additional $10 document recording fee (HB2163)
 Commitment from all sectors is necessary to end
homelessness in Washington
 Housing and services administered at the local
level, with counties as the lead
 Counties and State must complete and implement a
plan to reduce homelessness by 50% by 2015
Homelessness, Housing & Assistance Act
Funding:
• Anticipates $12-16 million per year for homeless
housing and services
• Essentially any activity that leads to reducing
homelessness is eligible, if it complies with the State
and local plan priorities, including technical
assistance and capacity building
• Complements HB2060 operating funds
The Veterans and Human Services Levy (2005)
 Approved in King County (greater Seattle)
 Provides $13.3 million per year for next 6 years
 First year focused on capital improvements,
information systems, training, equipment and onetime needs
 After first year, $1million each year for capital
improvements
 Funds are split between veterans and their
families, and other low-income populations in
need
Goals of Veterans and Human Services Levy
 Reduce homelessness and emergency medical
costs
 Reduce criminal justice system involvement at client
& systems levels
 Increase self-sufficiency and independence by
means of employment
2006
State Housing Trust Fund increase of $80
million to $100 million, biennium
Washington State Budget Surplus
Planning strategically . . .
The Future: 2006-2007
• Statewide affordable housing for all Voters
for Affordable Housing PAC seeks to recognize
housing leaders, strengthen emerging leaders, and
impact key races, making the connection for
legislators, business, philanthropy and government
• Homelessness and the availability of affordable
housing become a part of the Governor’s priorities
• Building and sustaining multi-year service funding
for single adults & families
• Develop bi-partisan support
To receive a copy of this presentation, please contact:
Betsy Lieberman - [email protected]
AIDS Housing of Washington
2014 East Madison, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98122
206-322-9444
www.aidshousing.org