Affordable Housing

Infographic: How the Housing Trust Fund Helps End Homelessness

The Housing Trust Fund is our state's best tool for creating and maintaining affordable housing. A couple of years ago, we teamed up with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to create an infographic explaining how the fund works. The graphic was such a good way to break down a complex issue that we decided to update it and bring it back this year! Check out version 2.0, and encourage your lawmakers to invest in affordable homes through the Housing Trust Fund.

Firesteel Makes It on Cable News!

Erin Murphy (second from right), Director of Community Engagement for YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, talks about family homelessness with hosts of the TakePart Live news program.

Firesteel is invited to talk about homelessness on cable news show TakePart Live. Erin emphasizes that families and children are greatly impacted by homelessness.

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.

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.

Policy Matters: “I Can Take Care of the Basics”

YWCA Opportunity Place resident Shelby Powell was on track to attend medical school when she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She couldn't hold down a job, and became temporarily homeless. Shelby has faced many challenges since her diagnosis, but she's thankful for the financial support she receives through the Aged, Blind & Disabled (ABD) program, which has helped her afford her rent and basics like bus fare and cleaning supplies. She testified at the state capitol, asking legislators to protect the social safety net that has kept her stably housed. Watch Shelby's testimony and learn how you can advocate for lifeline programs like ABD.

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