Dear Friend of LIHI,

 

This is a magical time of the year. We wish you and your family Peace and Joy! Thank you for helping people who need shelter, housing and a friendly place to shower and wash clothes.

 

At LIHI as we enter our 26th year, we continue to provide innovative solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis. With your support, we are grateful for:

 

1.     SHOWERS, RESTOOMS, and LAUNDRY for homeless people at three Urban Rest Stops located in downtown Seattle, Ballard and the University District. Sixty percent of the homeless we serve are working part or full-time and the Rest Stops helps people keep their job, apply for housing, and maintain their health and dignity.

 

2.     FIFTY TINY HOUSES and 60 tents on platforms have sheltered over a thousand families, singles and couples in Ballard, Interbay, Central Area and Rainier Valley. Well-managed city sanctioned tiny house villages create safe places for vulnerable people who would otherwise have to sleep unprotected on the streets. LIHI social workers help people obtain employment, healthcare and housing. High praise to the extraordinary effort from high schools, technical colleges, tribes, apprenticeship programs, church groups, businesses and volunteers who build and donate tiny houses. Each house costs $2,200. Over the past year, 120 people at the villages have obtained housing and 90 have secured employment. Come visit the tiny house villages.

 

3.     AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLETED. The first this year was The Marion West in Seattle's University District. Twenty apartments are set-aside for homeless young adults (age 18-24) and 29 units for low wage workers. The U District Food Bank and Street Bean barista training cafe are located in the first floor retail space. A week ago we celebrated the opening of Abbey Lincoln Court, 68 units of workforce housing in the Central Area. 153 people have moved in, including 35 children.

 

4.     UNDER CONSTRUCTION is Billy Frank Jr. Place in downtown Olympia. This includes 43 for homeless veterans, young adults and people living with disabilities. Construction will be done in March 2017.

 

5.   NEW HOUSING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES AND VETS will start construction in 2017 in downtown Renton. Renton Commons will include 43 apartments including large three-bedroom units. A new childcare center for 80 toddlers and 70 units of workforce housing will start construction in Lake City next to Fire Station 39. Building permits will be submitted to construct a mixed-use building with 70 units of workforce housing in Little Saigon. The three new LIHI projects will create 180 affordable apartments for low income families and individuals.

 

6.     FOUR HUNDRED VOLUNTEERS have donated their talent and time to help LIHI at the Urban Rest Stops, build tiny houses, read books to children, help with summer camp, prepare meals for Nickelsville, and help our families, seniors and veterans.

 

Please consider a year-end gift to the Low Income Housing Institute to support life-changing programs. Your donation can be designated for: Urban Rest Stops, supportive services, Tiny Houses, affordable housing or area of greatest need. Let us know. Go to www.LIHI.org or use enclosed envelope.