2013: Invest in the Housing Trust Fund

What is It?

The Housing Trust Fund is the primary source for creating affordable housing in Washington State. It is a part of the state capital budget and must be renewed every year—therefore advocacy is important every year so that sufficient funding is allocated. Investment in the Housing Trust Fund is also an investment in economic development—it is estimated that for every 1,000 units of housing built, 1,220 jobs are created, $79 million is generated in local income and $8.3 million is generated in taxes and fees for local governments.

Our infographic breaks it down:

What’s the Impact?

All partnering YWCAs provide either housing or services to clients who need housing. We see the impact of this funding on our programs and clients. Our blog features stories from several families who now have safe, affordable homes in YWCA communities thanks to Housing Trust Fund investment.

In some YWCA communities, the Housing Trust Fund is the only funding that provides for affordable housing. The Fund has been steadily shrinking over the last several years, and in this political environment a lot of advocacy is needed to sufficiently support housing programs across the state.

UPDATE (7.1.13)

Legislators set aside $70 million for the Housing Trust Fund. This won’t fully address the vast need for affordable housing in Washington state — we asked for $175 million. But it’s a significant investment in our communities in a still-tough economic climate. Thanks for your advocacy!

It’s important to keep the conversation about affordable housing going even while our legislators are away from the capitol.

What Can You Do?

1) Contact your legislators and thank them for investing in our communities through the Housing Trust Fund.

2) Register on Firesteel website (if you haven’t yet!). That way the website will be tailored to you and you will be matched to your legislators. We’ll then be able to send you messages specific to your voting district!

3) Spread the word about this important policy area on social media. The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance has great info on how to advocate on both Twitter and Facebook HERE.

4) Talk about it! Record a video comment on the importance of the social safety-net. Click the “video comments” link below to get started, or read this step-by-step guide to uploading video comments to the Firesteel website.

Policy Matters: “We Finally Had Our Own Place”

After Alice was laid off, she and her three young children were forced to live with friends and family. Moving from place to place was tough on the family; one year, the oldest child attended four different schools in two different states. Alice’s family eventually found a stable, affordable home built with the support of the Housing Trust Fund. This fund, along with the state’s social safety net, is in danger as our lawmakers negotiate a budget. Your advocacy is more important than ever — learn easy ways you can speak up and help keep families like Alice’s in safe, affordable homes. [More]

Policy Matters: “A Place Where There Are People To Reach Out To”

Right now our state lawmakers are making important decisions about investment in the Housing Trust Fund. Their budget decisions will have life-altering effects on people statewide. Through our “Policy Matters” blog series, we’re introducing you to community members who are directly impacted by state housing policies. Monica, a single mother who was on the edge of homelessness but found stability at a community built by the Housing Fund, shares her story in today’s post. Read Monica’s story and find out how you can advocate for a budget that invests in families and communities. [More]

Policy Matters: The Housing Trust Fund and Ron’s Story

Single father Ron Sordahl and his son Tommy live at YWCA Family Village at Issaquah, an affordable community built with help from the Housing Trust Fund. On Monday state lawmakers started a special session to work toward a budget agreement. Their decisions about investment in social safety-net services for the disabled and the Housing Trust Fund will affect community members across the state. Our “Policy Matters” blog series introduces you to people whose lives are directly impacted by state housing policies. Today we share the story of Ron, a single father who lives at YWCA Family Village at Issaquah. Ron’s community, along with many other safe, affordable homes, was built with help from the Housing Trust Fund. Read on to find out how this fund helps people like Ron, and what you can do to encourage our legislators to invest in our communities. [More]

All Posts