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www.SoundFoundationsNW.org soundfoundationsnw@gmail.com
Meanwhile, at City Hall . . .
By Barb Oliver
So how did the meeting go with the Mayor? Well, actually much better than expected. I presented our plan (https://soundfoundationsnw.org/getting-seattle-to-functional-zero/) to Mayor Harrell, Deputy Mayor of Housing and Homelessness Tiffany Washington, Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore who is Chair of the Housing and Human Services committee and her Chief of Staff Hannah Thoreson. Councilmember Dan Strauss, Chair of the Finance Committee, was in Olympia that day, but his District Director Amy Ensbysk was present.
After the presentation was finished, Mayor Harrell said, “This is exactly what we need.” He then had to attend another meeting but tasked the rest of us in the room to work out the details, mostly land and budgetary challenges.
THE NEXT STEPS
For us, getting to Functional Zero is a math problem. How many of our homeless neighbors are on the streets? How many homes do we need to get them off the streets? How fast can we build those homes? And how much will it cost?
The math equation is based on the number of homeless living on the streets in Seattle. At the time of the presentation, that number ranged from 3800-8600 depending on who in city government I talked to. Fortunately, the Point in Time Count has just been completed. When the actual number of our unsheltered homeless neighbors is known, we will revise this plan and review it with the Harrell Administration. That will happen in March, and at that time the revised plan will again be on our website.
Also in March, I will be meeting with the full committee for Seattle City Council’s Housing and Human Services Committee. At that time, I will present the plan with the corrected numbers and then work with the committee to move forward toward implementing the plan.
Councilmember Moore stated in an email, “ I am very excited about the possibilities outlined in the presentation.” So are we!
More to come next month.
HENDERSON OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 21ST
Henderson Village will be having their Open House on Wednesday, February 21st from 11 am – 1 pm. The village is located at 4849 S Henderson St, Seattle, WA 98118. All are welcome to attend!
The Hope Factory will be closed that day from 10:30 am – 1: 30 pm.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
As our volunteers build our tiny homes, we have a tradition of writing short notes of encouragement, inspiration, humor, and memories into the homes. We call these Love Notes. The notes are covered over as part of the building process, but the love and encouragement that goes into them stays in the walls of every home to nurture every single resident over the homes entire 20-year life.
This year, in the spirit of February 14th we thought it’d be fun to open up the messages to anyone who felt like making a small donation and sharing their words of encouragement in honor of a loved one. Jumping on the opportunity, the following messages were sent in and also copied into the walls of two different homes to encourage residents for the next 20 years:
- “May the love in this home support you the same way the love in ours does!” – N.A.M.& E.
- “You are loved!” – Laura A.
- “We support you and we love you.” – Anonymous
- “All God’s children got a place in the choir.” – Anonymous
- “You deserve shelter, love, dignity, and care. I’m sorry society has failed you, but know you have neighbors doing their best to support you!” – Anonymous
- “Peace, Love, Gratitude” – Scott B.
Thanks to everyone who builds with us, talks up our plan to your friends and neighbors, and generally supports us with your time and your donations. This work doesn’t happen without ALL OF YOU! Thank you for sharing the love.
LIHI AWARDED $9 MILLION FOR SENIOR HOUSING
From LIHI’s Newsletter
The Low Income Housing Institute was recently awarded $9 Million for a project at 12241-12245 Aurora Ave N., which will feature 90 apartments for seniors. The architect for the project is Runberg Architecture Group. As an interim use the site is currently occupied by LIHI’s Friendship Heights Tiny House Village.
The timely awarding of funds from Mayor Harrell and the Office of Housing enabled LIHI to leverage state Housing Trust Fund, housing credits and HUD funds to construct 90 apartments for low-income and formerly homeless seniors in North Seattle. They hope to break ground this year. The Friendship Heights Tiny House Village that currently occupies the site at 125th and Aurora Ave. N. will be moved to another location.”
Additional funding for the project includes $5 million from the state Housing Trust Fund and 9% tax credits from Washington State Housing Finance Commission. LIHI received a HUD 202 Senior Housing award that provides rental assistance for 90 units. This will ensure long term affordability as seniors will pay 30% of their income for rent. Senator Murray included $3 million in the HUD budget.
Construction will start before the end of the year.
MORE NEWS FROM BURIEN
ATTENTION GROUPS: Only one build day left in April. The May calendar is open. (All May weekend spots are taken.)
BUILDING WITH US IN FEBRUARY: Wheelhouse, Tzu Chi Seattle, WA Trails Assn., Oxeon, Epiphany Seattle, Lake WA Sai Ctr., Nanostring, O’Donoghue Memorial Service, Horizon House, Isso Seva, Tamar and Friends, Holy Names Academy, IB Roof Systems, Rotary District 5030, Fred and Friends, Target, and Stanley.
- February 27: Barb and Sharon Lee with LIHI lead a panel discussion at Horizon House.
- March 2nd and 3rd: Martina’s Eagle Scout Project.
- April 27th: Multi Parish Day of Service.
- May 4-5: Sarthak’s Eagle Scout Project.
- May 18th: Third Annual One Seattle Day of Service.
- COMING THIS SPRING: Our 500th home!!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED THIS WEEK
- Our “regulars“ who are the heart and soul of our organization.
- New Crew: James, Junia, Babs, Angela, Matt, Christina, Tim, Larry, Luke, Arnold and Eric.
- Our wonderful groups: Epiphany Seattle, Lake WA Sai Ctr., Nanostring, Friends and family of Sinead, and Horizon House.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
TO VOLUNTEER
Come build with us this week! Here’s the link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4EACAF2AA0F4C52-47966216-volunteers#/
Please remember to wear painting clothes even if you do not anticipate painting. Minimum age is 16 years. Please, no exceptions.
Clarification: If the SignUpGenius says (The name of a Group Build) AND Open Build, this means that you can volunteer even if you are not a part of the group.
TEAM LEADERS IN TRAINING: If you wish to become a Team Leader in Training, DO NOT SIGN UP for the day you wish to do this. Email SoundFoundationsNW@gmail.com and we will put you on the list.
We hope to be building with you soon!
Your Leadership Team: Beatrice, Tom, Bruce, David, Timothy and Barb
It Takes a Village to FUND a Village
YOU are a big part of why stacks and stacks of lumber fill The Hope Factory. There are several ways to give throughout the year. Questions? Please email devel.sfnw@gmail.com. All gifts qualify as tax deductible but please consult your tax professional for your own situation.
To give by check, credit/ debit card, a Donor Advised Fund, or a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, start on our Donate page, or:
Remember, if you sponsor a home (currently $4500), you get to name the home! Tiny home sponsors have their names (or “anonymous”) and the name of their home added to our Tiny Home Sponsor wall and join our growing list of supporters who’ve reached a little deeper to become part of the solution to ending homelessness. Email devel.sfnw@gmail.com for details.
A Few Reminders
- We do tours every day but Friday. Come visit if you haven’t been yet.
- We have a “Welcome to Sound Foundations NW” PowerPoint presentation that is also in .pdf form. If people ask you what we are all about, these are a simple thing to attach to an email to explain who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Email SoundFoundationsNW@gmail.com for this .pdf or PowerPoint.
- We fund our homes through a combination of private and public donations. For more information, please go to our website – Helping Finance the Homes.
Protocols, Address, Directions
- Volunteer at your own risk for Covid or any other illness. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home.
- Masks are optional when volunteering at The Hope Factory. There is no shame in wearing a mask.
- The minimum age is 16 years. Please, no exceptions.
- When you are at The Hope Factory, please social distance whenever possible.
- Covid booster shots are not required but highly encouraged.
- We are usually there by 9 am or 2 pm on most Sundays. Make sure you double check the times in the Sign Up Genius. You can come and go as your schedule permits. Just let us know so we can plan ahead.
- Please bring your own gloves.
- Please leave your own tools at home.
- Please bring your own lunch.
- No matter what you do, please come prepared to paint.
- Warehouses can be difficult to heat and cool. Please dress appropriately.
- We currently have no indoor restrooms, Honey Bucket only.
- We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions. If you must cancel at the last minute, please contact us as soon as you know. Others may want to volunteer in your place.
- No experience necessary. We train willing hearts.
OUR ADDRESS is 5 S. Nevada St., Seattle 98109 in SODO.
Visit our Website: