North Urban Human Services Alliance - Task Force: North King County Affordable Housing and Homelessness Workgroup

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North King County Affordable Housing and Homelessness News and Updates

North King County Housing/Homeless Work Group

The North King County Housing & Homelessness Workgroup is a partnership of the Housing Development Consortium of King County, the North Urban Human Services Alliance, United Way of King County, and community-based organizations (including affordable housing providers and faith communities) in North King County.

The Workgroup is dedicated to increasing access to affordable housing and basic services for low-income and homeless families and individuals in North King County. Our past work includes informing faith communities of opportunities to develop affordable housing on surplus land and sharing model homeless service programs from across King County.

The group meets regularly on the second Wednesday of odd-numbered months, 11am-1pm at Shoreline City Hall. For more information, please contact Kelly Rider kelly@housingconsortium.org or George Smith gsmith@shorelinewa.gov -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

North King County Affordable Housing & Homelessness Workgroup

Meeting Notes:

Wednesday, February 13, 11:30am-1:30pm

Shoreline City Hall, Room 301

•1. Attendees: City of Shoreline: George Smith, Miranda Redinger; Senior Services: Dori Gillam, Joanne Donahue; Ronald United Methodist Church: Rolly del Rosario, Paula McCutcheon, Phyllis Johnson; CCS: Rich Gamble; Community Psychiatric Clinic: Tina Gregorius; Tina Olvinen; Hopelink: Eric Erland; ITFH: Bil Kirlin-Hackett; YWCA LLP: Michael Oliver; YWCA SSVF: Ryan McAfee

•2. Preparation for February 19th event providing support for faith communities interested in serving homeless individuals. (This is a follow-up to our 2011 Forum. Homeless service providers from across the County will be available to answer questions about how their programs were started and how they work with faith communities to serve homeless individuals.)

•3. Activities Proposed for 2013:

Briefing on "What is affordable housing?" to Planning Commission & Council
Advocacy Training
Light Rail Planning: City plans a DEIS May or June--stations at 185th & 155th or 145th, public participation plan, 2 year subarea plan development,

•o 185th Citizens meeting, April 16, 7-9pm, at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline

•4. Announcements/Program Updates:

Bethel Lutheran, Pastor Chris Ode is looking to host a Hygiene Program.
Prince of Peace and Lady of the Lake are working to host a rotating winter shelter but need volunteers of 8 or 10 people per night.
YWCA has received funding for the Supportive Services for Veterans’ Families (SSVF) program, also funded at the Community Psychiatric Clinic. They have funding to serve veterans and their families with homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing services.
Community Psychiatric Clinic is getting ready to break ground on Valor Apts. In addition to SSVF, they also manage the THRIVE program which provides mental health and drug dependency treatment.
One Night Count in Shoreline found 32 unsheltered individuals plus tent city individuals.
State Housing & Homelessness Advocacy Day had a turnout of more than 600 individuals. Major issues include: funding for the Housing Trust Fund; protecting social services in the operating budget (such as the Housing and Essential Needs program and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

•5. Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 10^th, 11:30am-1:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, Room 301

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Notes November 14, 2012 Affordable Housing and Homelessness Work Group

Attending: George Smith, Shoreline; Orlando Manaois, VA; Erin Wright, Valley Cities; Scott Starr, SMR Architects; Bill Kirlin-Hackett, ITFH; Pam Russell, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church; Phyllis Johnson, Ronald UMC; Rolando Del Rosario, Ronald UMC; Michael Oliver, YWCA-LLP; Anna Markee, CEH; Miranda Redinger, Shoreline; Mike Nielsen, CPC; Paula McCutcheon, Ronald UMC

Cold Weather Shelter: Pastor Pam Russell, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church updated the group on plans for a Cold Weather Shelter serving primarily Lake City. Several Lake City Churches and Prince of Peace, located on the border between Shoreline and Lake City have agreed to sponsor a rotating shelter. Each church will host for weeks on nights when temperature if freezing or below. Two volunteer staff per night are needed for fire watch. The church shelters are planning to begin operation December 15^th.

Anna Markee, staff to the Committee to End Homelessness, reported on the availability of one-time funds from United Way to help fund cold weather shelters. Funds would support the immediate opening of shelter beds and could pay for staffing, one time upgrades, supplies or other necessities to increase shelter beds.

Recap September 13^th Landlord Tenant Event: Low attendance for the evening event, but several important contacts established with individual landlords and property managers. One of the attendees is interested in starting a networking group of landlords and property managers in Shoreline which could provide an informal venue for reaching out to landlords regarding hard to house tenants.

Work Plan for 2013: Initial discussion about projects for the Work Group in 2013. Members discussed how to get more congregations involved, find out more about characteristics of homeless children in North King County, participate in the work of the two projects funded in Shoreline under the Growing Transit Communities Equity Grants, find out about the status of comprehensive plan changes in the other North King County cities and advocate for policies supportive of increasing affordable housing. Ways to involve more people in advocacy around ending homelessness was also discussed.

Announcements: Pastor Paula McCutcheon, Ronald Methodist, reported that the Congregation voted on October 28^th to proceed with a project to build 70 units of permanent housing and a 10,000 sf service center for Hopelink on the property. Obtaining approval for reduced parking on the site from the City of Shoreline remains to be worked out. Miranda Redinger announced Shoreline City Council is set to adopt the Comprehensive Plan amendments November 26 or December 10^th and that the Shoreline Planning Commission will be considering Development Code changes at their meetings on December 6^th and 20^th. The CEH Legislative Breakfast will be January 9^th. The next One Night Count of the Homeless was announced by Bill Kirlin Hackett for the early morning hours of Friday January 25,

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Notes November 14, 2012 Affordable Housing and Homelessness Work Group

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Greetings!

I am excited to share with you the latest draft of the Shoreline Comprehensive Plan, which you should be able to access here: http://www.cityofshoreline.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=12162 or, if that doesn’t work, here http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=409 under “Draft Comprehensive Plan” dated October 3. The Housing Element is on pages 39-43 of the document, and the Housing Element Supporting Analysis is on pages 95-106.

You can see throughout these pages the commitment the Planning Commissioners have made to encouraging, assisting and supporting the development of affordable housing across Shoreline and their support of, and recognition of the need for, services to support people who are homeless. We have truly made great progress since we joined together to advocate for strong affordable housing policies in May (my how time flies!), and that progress is because of your great efforts to participate in this process. But we’re not there quite yet.

This Thursday, October 18^th, at 7pm at Shoreline City Hall, the Planning Commission will be considering approval of this document and recommendation to the City Council, who will also need to approve these policies (likely before the end of the year). I want to encourage all of you to attend this meeting and share a message of appreciation and support of the Planning Commission for their hard work on this document.

Reasons to Attend:

•1. Members of City Council may look back on this testimony to determine how strong support for affordable housing opportunities really is.
•2. We will need the Commission’s support in future months to adopt the actual policies and ordinances they are recommending in this draft Comprehensive Plan.
•3. It’s always good manners to thank the people who have listened and responded to your requests.

As a reminder, here are the things I suggested you support back in May:

•ü That there be better recognition in the Housing Element of the needs of homeless individuals in North King County.
•ü That the plan incorporate Shoreline’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy recommendation to identify and develop relationships with owners of privately owned multi-family housing.
•ü That the City commit to engage and educate the community about housing choice.
•ü That policies support incentives for affordable housing development for housing affordable to all economic segments throughout Shoreline and particularly in transit corridors and stations.
•ü To work hard to meet the housing needs of low-income individuals and families.

Check, check, and double check. All of these commitments are made in this plan. Please join me at Thursday’s meeting to provide a word of appreciation and support, or write the Planning Commission a brief email or letter thanking them for committing to providing affordable housing choices throughout Shoreline and to supporting housing and services for people who are homeless.

Lastly, this would not have been accomplished without the tireless efforts of Miranda Redinger who has spent countless hours editing the Plan at the Commission’s request as well as keeping us apprised of opportunities to make our voices heard on behalf of the Shoreline communityundefinedThank you, Miranda! (I encourage you all to send your appreciation to Miranda as well.)

Please let me know if you have any questions about the draft Comprehensive Plan, or if you would like my help crafting your testimony or your letter for Thursday night.

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Landlord Outreach Subcommittee Meeting

May 22, 2012

Attendees: Mike Neilsen, CPC; Hazel Domian, YWCA-LLP; George Smith, City of Shoreline; Mariko Chang, YWCA-LLP; Kelly Rider, HDC

•1. Proposed Landlord Event:
•· Purpose: Outreach to Landlords in NKC to gain partners for LLP, CPC programs
•· Proposed Time: September 13, 6-8pm
•· Potential Title: Support for Local Landlords undefinedFight homelessness while protecting your bottom line
•· Event concept: How to fill vacancies, start off on the right foot, and where to turn for help with tenants in “crisis”
•o CPC and LLP have great programs that can help you fill vacancies
•o How to Write a Good Lease
•o Service Providers (Hopelink, CPC, and YWCA?) talk about their family support and financial assistance programs and why they benefit landlords
•2. Next meeting to prepare for event: July 11, 10am at Shoreline City Hall, Room 301
•3. Action Items:
•· Kelly will work with Hazel, Mariko and Janelle on an Op-Ed to distribute soon.
•· They will also work with Bill K-H and Paula M to craft a “right-sized” piece for church newsletters regarding the programs.
•· George, LLP, and Kelly are bouncing our tentative plan off a couple landlord/property manager types for their feedback.
•· Once we confirm details via email, George will prepare a mailing for local landlords with brochures from CPC and LLP and a save the date for the event
•· After July meeting, group will begin distributing notice of event in church newsletters. (George has contact info for local churches. Maybe Bill can send to ITFH members? Send to Workgroup for distribution.)
•· After July meeting, George will prepare another mailing for local landlords inviting them to event.
•· One month to a couple weeks before the event, we’ll send an announcement to local press.

Landlord Outreach Meeting

May 9, 11:30-1pm, Shoreline City Hall

Attending: Officer Leona Obstler, Shoreline Policy; Alina Aaron, NKC Mobility Coalition/Hopelink; Gretchen Bruce, Committee to End Homelessness; Allyson Fredricksen, FAITH; Emily Harris-Shears, Family Housing Connection; Scott Starr, SMR Architects; Ken Perron, Hopelink; George Smith, City of Shoreline; Edie Loyer-Nelson, Shoreline citizen; Janelle Moore, CPC; Mike Nielsen, CPC; Sinan Demirel, ITFH; John Camerer, VisionHouse; Bill Kirlin-Hackett, ITFH; Brock Howell, Futurewise; Hazel Domian, YWCA-LLP; Miranda Redinger, City of Shoreline

Agenda:

1. Introductions (15 mins.)

2. Outreach to Landlords (45 mins.)

3. Project Updates and Announcements (30 mins)

4. Follow-up Conversation: Creating Equitable Transit Communities/Shoreline Light Rail Station Areas (30 mins.)

•2. George and Officer Leona Obstler: Landlord Crime Prevention Training & LLP/CPC Landlord Outreach Strategy

City of Shoreline provides outreach to Multi-family landlords to offer and remind them of potential benefits twice a year.
In the past, the City provided a "Crime-free multi-housing" training, which they are considered doing again. (Past agenda attached)

Attendance had dwindled, but the City is considering holding the training again this fall.
Our group should focus on eviction prevention, while this agenda focuses on HOW to evict and screen out clients like those being helped by our programs.
The agenda is too long; our event should be shorter. Who has time to take all day off?
NKC has “small property” landlords, compared to other regions, which changes how we should outreach.
We should reach out to landlords involved in faith communities.
General opinion: This Training does not work for our purposes; it’s not aligned with our work. However, a landlord outreach event would be beneficial either as our fall forum or an extra event sponsored by the Workgroup.

•3. Project Updates & Announcements

Scott: Ronald UMC is moving forward with a feasibility study for developing 75 units of low-income housing, perhaps all homeless housing.

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I wanted to update you all on last week’s very successful advocacy by our Workgroup members. At last week’s Shoreline Planning Commission meeting, 12 individuals (most of whom participate in our Workgroup) testified in favor of stronger policies supporting the development of affordable housing in Shoreline, and others attended the meeting to show moral support.

If you’re interested in knowing more about how the meeting went or wondering what successful advocacy sounds like, I encourage you to check out the Commission’s website and to listen to the meeting’s audio here: http://shorelinewa.gov/index.aspx?page=182&recordid=4292. Our comments were very well received by the Commission. I was particularly encouraged by the Commission’s recognition that citizens’ views on affordable housing likely have changed since the city last struggled with acceptance of alternative housing models like cottage housing. One Commissioner commented: “We’re hearing new things tonight that we haven’t heard before, and I’m really excited about that.” I look forward to working with the Commission and staff to improve the Housing Element as their process moves forward.

A BIG THANK YOU to those who spent their evening inside Shoreline City Hall supporting affordable housing instead of spending the evening with your children, enjoying the nice weather, or engaging in other fun activities. While advocacy is not everyone’s cup of tea, your attendance and support DEFINITELY made a difference last week, and I’d say we all had a pretty good time!

Thank you as well to those of you who submitted written comments but were unable to attend the meeting. The Commissioners mentioned several times the importance of the written comments they received. These comments really set the stage for the Commission’s understanding of our testimony at the meeting.

Remember, this is just the first step in this long process toward updating Shoreline’s Comprehensive Plan. If couldn’t join us last week, please consider joining us for the next advocacy opportunity. In response to our advocacy efforts, more people may attend the next meeting to oppose the position we have put forward. That means we’ll need even more support next time to make sure our voices are stronger than those opposing affordable housing options.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

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Meeting Notes February 1, 2012

For those of you who are not able to attend our regular meetings, there are two ways for you to get more involved in our Workgroup efforts in the coming weeks.

One opportunity is to help reach out to private market landlords in North King County. At the December Workgroup meeting, the attendees agreed to work closely with Community Psychiatric Clinic (CPC) and the Landlord Liaison Project (LLP) to increase public awareness of opportunities to provide affordable housing within market-rate housing, improve understanding of the work of CPC & LLP, and broaden participation in these programs.

It was suggested that a public forum in the late spring or early summer might be the best way to achieve this goal. A smaller subcommittee was established to work on this issue and bring ideas back to the larger group. The landlord outreach subcommittee will be meeting next week, on Wednesday, February 8th, at 10am at Shoreline City Hall, Room 301. If you are interested in joining us or being involved in future meetings, please let me know. All are welcome.

In addition, following up on the work of our fall forum to explore model programs for serving homeless individuals, we would like to assemble a group of faith community representatives who are interested in partnering with other North King County faith communities to serve homeless folks. We have not yet scheduled a meeting on this issue, so please let me know if you are interested in participating, and I will be sure to keep you updated on our progress.

Also, please remember that the larger Workgroup is not meeting in February.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14 at 11am at Shoreline City Hall.

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Meeting Notes • March 9, 2011

Present: Cybil Glasby, Bill Kirlin-Hackett, Nathan Heuser, Miranda Redinger, Karen Williams, George Smith, Kevin Grossman, Joe Ingram, Harry Hoffman, Edie Loyer-Nelson

Project Updates: Capital budget for state still in play. Housing Trust Fund, is proposed for funding at $40.8 million by the Governor. CDBG funding proposed for major cuts in Congress, attendees urged to advocate for maintaining program. Harry Hoffman reported on HB 1997 which would continue the King County Stadium tax but repurpose funds for work force housing and the arts, providing for 5 million a year for five years for work force housing.
Levy Update: George Smith reported that the Regional Policy Committee is hearing testimony today on the Veterans and Human Services proposed renewal ordinance and is expected to recommend passage in its current form, with 50/50 split of funds between veterans and others and six year renewal at same tax rate. The North Urban Human Service Alliance will formally adopt a position on Levy at March 16th Board Meeting and is expected to endorse renewal in present form, but advocate for attention to regional balance during implementation.
Faith Community Outreach: Bill Kirlin-Hackett reported on involving faith communities in North Seattle/Shoreline and South Snohomish County in affordable housing and homeless issues. He indicated that the pilot car camping program is almost ready to be implemented in Ballard. He also brought up the issue of shelters and the fact some cities are using fire code issues, such as having sprinklers to current code, to deny applications. The feasibility of a cold weather shelter for North King County is a long-standing issue he also hopes to tackle. An unofficial cold weather shelter at the Mennonite Church in Lake City began operation this year. Bill and Rich Gamble are planning a work shop in fall for faith community that may touch on some these same issues. Bill K-H agreed to be a liaison between the Housing Work Group and the Lake City Homelessness Task Force.
Land Use Issues:
1. Bothell: Vulcan is developing a piece of downtown. We discussed idea of approaching them directly or using the policy process to ensure that affordable housing is included in the planning. It was agreed to invite Dave Boyd, the project manager and Dennis Depape, ARCH board member and architect to a future meeting to get briefed in more detail and see what possibilities exist for affordable housing projects to fit into the redevelopment.
2. Kenmore: Kenmore’s downtown redevelopment on-hold. Developer had worked with Housing Resource Group to include a few units of affordable work force housing in one of the proposed apartments. Low Income Housing Institute recently completed the Copper Lantern owned town-house project.
3. Shoreline: Miranda Redinger reported on efforts to include affordability requirements for multi-family housing in the Town Center plan for Shoreline. She asked for ideas from members on what might be feasible to provide affordability but not discourage development.
Staff Transition Update: Harry reported on efforts to recruit new Suburban Outreach Coordinator. Four applications have been received and in the meantime he will provide staff services to the Work Group until the new person is hired.
It was agreed to have Debbie Knowles and Triina Tennelo from King County Homeless Housing present and update on their work at the April 13th, 2011 Meeting, Shoreline City Hall, Room 301
HDC Annual Luncheon: April 29, 2011 – all are invited.

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Meeting Reminder

Reminder that the next North King Housing/Homelessness Workgroup meeting is Wednesday December 15^th, 2010, 11:30-1:00 pm Lake Forest Park City Hall.

Affordable Housing and Homeless organizations, please attend next week to weigh in on issues or priorities we should address in 2011. You have insight into community needs and you can help think of creative solutions.

What are ways this Work group acting in coordination can help you better meet the housing needs in North King County?
What are the greatest gaps in housing and homeless services?
How are North King cities partnering with you?
What will public cuts mean to your programs and how could we mitigate the harm to those needing your services?

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Land Stewardship Workshop

Thanks to nearly 40 participants who attended the Land Stewardship Workshop (despite horrendous traffic!) and to the presenters who provided such great information and examples of faith-based affordable housing development.

The hosts, City of Shoreline, Housing Development Consortium, and North Urban Human Service Alliance, consider the workshop to be a first step in offering congregations support and resources as they explore opportunities to develop affordable housing on their property.

Here are resources we hope will help congregations and we look forward to partnering with you on affordable housing! Please forward this information on to other congregations who were not able to attend.

Contact Information for all who attended the Workshop, including speakers. (attached)

Congregations can connect with other congregations exploring similar paths.
Congregations can reach out to nonprofits who can provide initial guidance or potential long-term partnership.
In addition to nonprofits who attended the workshop, here is a link to nonprofit affordable housing developers serving King County.

Resources:

Questions and Considerations to Guide Congregations
Making Housing Happen, Faith-Based Affordable Housing Models by Jill Suzanne Shook. This book was recommended at the workshop, here in an interactive website that may provide additional resources.http://www.freewebs.com/makinghousinghappen/contactjill.htm
Shoreline Development handout

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NORTH KING HOMELESS/HOUSING WORKGROUP

July 14^th 2008 • MEETING NOTES

Thirteen people representing local government, service providers, advocates, faith community, architects, and housing developers attended. The meeting was facilitated by Karen Williams, Suburban Outreach Director for the Housing Development Consortium.

AGENDA TOPICS:

1. Background and Purpose of Work Group:

There was consensus the focus of the group would be on unmet needs and gaps in services and innovative ways to address these needs using a combination of regional resources and locally generated ideas and approaches (“out of the box”). Several people commented that the group not fall into the trap of thinking only about how to build new housing units but look at a range of actions that could promote greater access to affordable housing and reduce homelessness.

A sub group is planning a workshop this fall for faith community members and others interested in taking action around the intertwined issues of homelessness and affordable housing. The focus of the training would be to give examples of what has worked locally using case studies and the steps involved in taking a concern and turning it into a series of action steps. The suggestion was made to have the event as follow along to the September 15 Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness Conference. Additionally, given the expertise in the community, it would be beneficial to establish a voluntary Technical Assistance Council that could consult informally with congregations in the early stages of pursuing a housing/program development.

The work group agreed that meeting on a regular basis to align actions and goals was essential to make progress. At the August Meeting the group will determine its meeting frequency (monthly, every other month, etc.)

2. Review Asset Map of North King County Partners in Affordable Housing and homeless services.

A broad discussion lead to the following action items:

The work group reviewed the asset map and agreed to keep adding more partners/ resources as they become identified.

Combined Notice of Funding for Housing and Supportive Services: The work group discussed the Funding Notice and determined that while there is not enough time to put a project together for this year, that conversations should continue about how to put a strong proposal together in the future to respond to the funders request for a supportive housing project in North or East King County. Major identified need/gap is 18-25 year olds that need shelter and housing. Many have barriers that prevent them from entering a transitional program, but a shelter/service option could prepare them to access existing housing programs.

Use of manufactured housing as a housing option affordable to households making 30%.Follow-up:  Inventory of existing mobile homes/parks. Risks of loss of these affordable options? Connect with existing statewide efforts. How many mobile home parks are left in North King County and are any at risk of being lost?

Obtaining use of foreclosed properties for short-term occupancy by homeless families with low service needs. Obtaining use of properties that are distressed or otherwise not selling for master-leasing on a short-term basis (2-5 years) by service providers from private parties. These properties could be obtained directly from private owners or through banks in the foreclosure process and master leased by a service provider. Follow-up:  In August meeting, outline a strategy for developing a proposal to banks holding property. What can we offer them?

Helping the Landlord Liaison Project obtain more properties in North King County. They currently have five. An adequate stock of affordable market rent apartments in North King County make this a viable alternative to costly development costs of building new units. Follow-up: The LLP will be contacted to determine how the work group members could help them sign up more properties.

Connect people with ongoing land use processes in the five cities so that advocates and others can intervene when policies are being developed to ensure affordable housing is part of the plan. Three of the five North King County cities have downtown redevelopment plans underway. Follow-up:  Outline the downtown planning process in Kenmore, Bothell and Shoreline and how each plan is addressing affordability. Seek opportunities to support/request land-use, zoning, policies at public hearings for these plans.

The Next Homelessness/Housing Work Group Meeting is August 11, 2010 11:30 – 1:00 PM. Lake Forest Park City Hall, First Floor Conference Room. Brown Bag Lunch.

Announcements/Events:

September 15, 2010, Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness Conference 5 Years …Are We On Track? Creating the Political Will to End Homelessness, St Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle. For information:www.itfhomeless.org

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Press release:

KING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY PURCHASES WESTMINSTER MANOR APARTMENTS IN SHORELINE

Housing Authority preserves 60 units in building whose HUD contract was set to expire in 2013

As part of an ongoing effort to preserve affordable housing in King County, the King County Housing Authority, working in partnership with the city of Shoreline, has purchased the Westminster Manor Apartments, an apartment complex that houses low-income seniors and people with disabilities. A portion of the apartments at the property, located at 14701 Dayton Ave. N. in Shoreline, are currently subsidized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The housing authority plans to protect the HUD Section 8 subsidy in those units. The remaining units, which are rent restricted, will remain affordable to tenants earning 50 percent of the median income ($22,500 for a one-person household) or less.

"Preserving the affordably priced housing we have today is among the City’s top three affordable housing strategies,” said Mayor Keith McGlashan. “I am delighted that the city of Shoreline was able to be a partner in this effort.”

Westminster Manor, which is comprised of 60 units, was listed for sale on the open market and most likely would have been sold to private investors for conversion to market-rate apartments when the 40-year HUD regulatory agreement expired in 2013. Without the HUD restrictive covenants, rents could then be raised to market rate, currently estimated at $725 per month. In the 24 units with “project-based” Section 8 rental assistance, residents pay about 30 percent of their income in rent, or approximately $223 per month.

Rents for the 36 non-subsidized apartments average $416 per month. The average income of residents at Westminster Manor is $10,388, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to afford market-based rents.Westminster Manor was in danger of being sold to a profit-motivated investor who would not have preserved the Section 8 contract with HUD,” said Stephen Norman, executive director of the King County Housing Authority.

“The Authority is pleased to be able to ensure that this community’s seniors, many of whom have lived at Westminster Manor for years, will be protected from unaffordable rents and possible homelessness.

The Authority acquired the property for $2.75 million. KCHA assumed the existing mortgage of $166,000 and used a line of credit to finance the difference.

Because the complex is in good condition, KCHA plans to make only minor improvements such as installing low-flow toilets, completing elevator repairs, and adding accessibility-related enhancements.
Westminster Manor is the 31st property acquired by the Housing Authority as part of its long-term strategy to preserve existing affordable housing in King County.

KCHA administers a range of quality affordable rental and homeownership programs in the Puget Sound region. The Authority serves about 18,000 families and elderly and disabled households on a daily basis.

For more information contact:

Rhonda Rosenberg,

Director of Communications,

(206) 574-1185

May 27, 2010 10-05

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North King County Affordable Housing Stakeholder Forum

When over 220 children are homeless in the Shoreline and Northshore School Districts, and a minimum wage worker needs to work 95 hours a week to afford an average two-bedroom apartment; it is clear housing affordability is affecting our entire community. The good news is that while the need is great; there are many ways cities and nonprofits can partner to ensure each family has an affordable place to call home.

These are key take away messages from the April 21st, 2010 Housing Forum attended by more than 70 people representing the faith community, King County government, local city planners and elected officials, non-profit developers and advocates. There is no one solution to solve the problem of housing affordability and there are multiple strategies from very complex and expensive new construction, to less complex and costly approaches such as rent subsidies.

Presenters offered a range of innovative ways that affordability can be maintained in the community with existing resources and enhanced partnerships. Congregations and nonprofits showcased projects that transformed underutilized land held by a church into affordable housing. Another example, the Landlord Liaison Program, partners with private landlords to give case-by-case exemptions to tenant screening criteria with a guarantee of a 24-hour hotline and financial insurances. This program has proven really successful for both parties, offering candidates to fill landlords’ vacancies and providing a leasing opportunity for a tenant who may have a prior credit or eviction history that would otherwise screen them out of the rental market.

The event was hosted by the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA), the Housing Development Constortium (HDC) and A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH). The case studies iterated the importance of partnerships, and each of the sponsoring organizations will continue the work of identifying and fostering these opportunities.

All speakers stressed that regardless of scope partnerships are essential to success. One of the roles NUHSA will play is to help identify and foster partnerships.

If you missed the forum, you can attend a follow-up strategy session where opportunities and actions will be prioritized. The meeting is open to all and will be held at Shoreline City Hall May 12th 8:30 – 10:00 am, Room 302.

NUHSA • PO Box 60215 • Shoreline, WA 98160