Get involved - Help to end homelessness through legislative
advocacy
Political advocacy is essential to the effort to end homelessness. We must communicate to our legislators:
- Homelessness is unacceptable in our society.
- We need resources to create the housing and support that will end homelessness.
2010 legislative priorities
Together with our partners in ending homelessness and creating affordable housing, the Committee to End Homelessness in King County prepares a legislative agenda for the next state session. Those partners include the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Housing Development Consortium, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, Building Changes, United Way of King County and the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless.
The 2010 State Legislative Agenda carries forward these priority issues from previous years:
- Return the Housing Trust Fund to its 2008 level of $200 million.
- Prevent homelessness by reforming the discharge practices of state institutions so as to end discharge to homelessness.
- Support the services that help people leave homelessness by continuing funding of the Washington Families Fund.
- Use funds more effectively by coordinating funding across state agencies.
- Give local governments the revenue tools they need to provide human services and end homelessness.
Click here for more information.
CEH Governing Board co-chair Dan Brettler presents the legislative priorities
2009 legislative priorities
2008 state legislative outcomes
We are grateful to report that in a time of great restraints on state expenditures, every one of the CEH legislative priorities developed to increase funding and services to end homelessness, received attention. Find out the details:
- Outcomes (DOC)
2008 legislative priorities
Prior year legislative advocacy
- 2007 Legislative Outcomes (PDF)
- 2007 Legislative Package (PDF)
CEHKC with the Washington State Low Income Housing Alliance, Washington State
Coalition for the Homeless and the Housing Development Consortium and many other
partners gathered for Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day in Olympia in February
2008 for an opportunity to meet with key legislators and discussed how the state
and local communities can work together to end homelessness. It’s a unique and
powerful day in Olympia and it’s your chance to join with hundreds advocates
for decent, safe, supportive and affordable homes. Get involved in next year's
Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day. Keep an eye on the website for updates
on the 2009 event.