2021 Budget Advocacy: 300 New Tiny Houses!
We need your support now to ensure that City Council includes funding for expanding shelter and hygiene resources for people experiencing homelessness in the 2021 budget. Mayor Durkan's proposed 2021 Budget does not include any funding for additional tiny house villages, despite their success in both safely sheltering and moving people into permanent housing during the ongoing homelessness and COVID-19 crises.

Councilmembers Lewis and Sawant are advocating for more tiny house villages. LIHI has identified multiple sites for tiny house villages and a network of community heroes like you ready and eager to set them up! We just need the political will from the Mayor to make this a reality.

LIHI advocates for 300 new tiny house sited at six new tiny house villages.

Please reach out to City Council today, and urge them to include funding for additional tiny house villages. Email the entire City Council at council@seattle.gov

In addition to emailing City Council, please provide public comment at Tuesday's Council meeting.
Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 pm, the Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee will meet to receive public comment for the 2021 budget to inform their discussion going forward.

Public comment can be received through virtual by-phone testimony and/or by an email. Better yet, do both! Email the entire City Council at council@seattle.gov, and tell them why you support more tiny house villages. Please include "Public Comment" in the subject title which makes it officially part of testimony.

Important: Sign up for testimony begins exactly 2 hours before the 5:30 pm meeting, so at 3:30 pm. It's recommended to sign up right away when it becomes available. Typically each person is given 1 minute to testify so plan to be both powerful and concise in your words.

Sign up here (Tuesday, Oct 27) at 3:30 pm to testify for the hearing that starts at 5:30 pm.

Story from Theresa Hohman, LIHI Tiny House Village Program Manager: 
"I have seen firsthand how villages change people’s lives. The most joyful person I’ve ever met lived at one of our villages: she would sing beautiful songs and always had a smile. Yet in her house alone, in the middle of the night, she would scream and argue with someone we could not see. The other villagers were sometimes unkind - so we talked in our weekly community meetings about the importance of patience and kindness.  Traditional shelters would not have been able to accommodate her but our Tiny House Village program could. Today she is housed in an apartment community that has the resources to help her thrive. I will always carry her (and all of our villagers) in my heart. Please continue to fund the opening of more tiny house villages. They are inexpensive, immediate and effective."

Thank you for your advocacy and support!

- Sharon Lee
- Executive Director
- Low Income Housing Institute
Register to Vote, Vote, and Vote Early!
Register to Vote: The General Election is coming up on Nov. 3rd. In Washington State we vote by mail and Washingtonians have until Oct 26 to register (or re-register at a new WA State address) online. If one misses that, you can also register in-person all the way up to Election Day, Nov 3 (and then vote), at your county elections office with addresses listed here: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/viewauditors.aspx. But don't wait - register right away! 

Voting: Ballots are mailed Oct 16 to all registered voters. When you receive your ballot, it's a good idea to vote quickly to make sure your vote is counted early. Mail your ballot back with the postage paid envelope provided or drop off at any Ballot Drop Box that you can find here: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/returning-my-ballot/ballot-drop-boxes.aspx

Questions, need help? ! LIHI's Community Engagement Director Josh Castle can help you register to vote, identify a place to receive your ballot, identify your closest drop box, and answer any questions you have. Please reach out to him at josh.castle@lihi.org 

How to register and to vote if you're homeless: Individuals experiencing homelessness can register at a shelter or an intersection they spend a lot of time close to as their residential address, and then just need a mailing address for which to receive and pick up their ballot. These local organizations can receive ballots for pick up:

Compass Center Client Services Office
77 S Washington St, Seattle, WA 98104
St. Vincent de Paul Georgetown Food Bank
5972 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
Ballard Food Bank
5130 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

People with felony convictions can vote and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds: People with past felony convictions are able to vote in Washington State as long as they are not under DOC supervision. 16- and 17-year-olds can also pre-register to vote and then will become registered on their 18th birthday.

Please VOTE!!!Text Link
Housing for All!
Sharon Lee
Executive Director
Low Income Housing Institute