from Kathryn Alexander
After service today I was asked to share some of what I said in the newsletter. There is much that is being done, here in Spokane, to address homelessness. Progress is slow, but it IS progress. Here are some ways you can be involved at the policy end.
The Tenants Union. They are a place where tenants go to get help, so they are also a repository of stories tenants have about their landlord situation. Volunteer to help so the wait is not so long. Contact the director Terri Anderson at (509) 464-7620. Know they are understaffed, so hearing back can take a while.
FAN (Faith in Action Network). Go to their website (https://fanwa.org/) to find out more about their work, to see a full calendar of actions and events, and get on their email list, or watch this newsletter to see what they are doing. They work on policies in Olympia, including on homelessness and affordable housing. You can sign up to testify on various bills from home.
- HB 2276 REET 2.0 would increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing, homelessness services, and supportive housing for people with disabilities by increasing the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) for properties sold for over $3 million, and exempt property sales of $1m and below. January 18 @ 1:30 p.m. in House Finance Committee. Sign in PRO here
- HB 1859 Eviction Protection for Long Term Care Residents. January 19 @ 8:00 a.m. in House Committee on Health Care & Wellness Sign in PRO here
Housing Action Subcommittee (HAS). I’m on this committee. If you would like to be part of the working group dedicated to creating a process for educating and training both tenants and landlords, please contact me, kathrynalexander2017@gmail.com
There are often openings on the Community Housing and Human Services Board (CHHS). Openings for various groups can be found on the City website: https://my.spokanecity.org/bcc/vacancies/. CHHS is currently looking for 4 new members.
Join your local Neighborhood Council. As a member you can volunteer to sit on any new committee the City needs public input on. Find out more about your Neighborhood Council at: https://my.spokanecity.org/neighborhoods/councils/
Don’t forget to register for the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on January 27 and Interfaith Advocacy Day on February 8! Click here to see the event flyer, please share!