>>> GOOD EVENING.
THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
HUMAN SERVICES, EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT, AND RENTER RIGHTS
COMMITTEE THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL.
THE TIME IS 5:17 P.M.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 AND WE ARE
IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
I AM UNFORTUNATELY NOT JOINED
BY ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER AND
I SAY VERY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE
ALL DAY TODAY COUNCILMEMBERS
WERE WAXING ELOQUENT ON THE
BUDGET, ON HOW COMPASSIONATE
THEY ARE TOWARD HOMELESS PEOPLE
BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY
FROM OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS AND
ADVOCATES ABOUT A TERRIFIC AND
SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
UNFORTUNATELY I AM HERE BY
MYSELF.
I WILL HOPE THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE STILL ON THEIR WAY TO JOIN
ME BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY
WILL.
I DO FEEL HAPPY THAT
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN SENT HIS
APOLOGIES HE WAS NOT GOING TO
BE HERE, HE SENT A FEW REMARKS
ABOUT WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES WHICH I WANTED
TO READ RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS FROM COUNCILMEMBER
O'BRIEN.
SINCE WE PASSED LEGISLATION IN
2015 ALLOWING USE PERMITS FOR
SANCTION ENCAMPMENTS WE FOUND
THIS TO BE AN INVALUABLE TOOL
IN ADDRESSING THE HOMELESS
CRISIS WE ARE IN.
NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO MAKE
THIS LEGISLATION PER MINUTE WE
NEED TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES TO
MEET THE NEED, THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT ON HER
LEADERSHIP ON THIS, WE THINK
HIM FOR THAT STATEMENT AND WE
WILL CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC
HEARING AS WE ARE.
TODAY'S MEETING HAS ONE POINT
ON THE AGENDA THIS PUBLIC
HEARING INTO THE LEGISLATION
THAT MY OFFICE HAS PUT FORWARD
TO EXPAND OPTIONS FOR TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES ACROSS THE CITY
HERE AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED IN
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE MEETINGS
THAT I HAVE CHAIRED ON MAY 24
AND SEPTEMBER 10 TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES IN SEATTLE HAVE BEEN
PERHAPS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE FACING
HOMELESSNESS, THEY PROVIDE
THINGS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN
BEINGS.
DIGNITY, PRIVACY, SAFETY, A
PLACE TO STORE YOUR BELONGINGS.
MANY VILLAGES HAVE SELF-
MANAGEMENT WHERE RESIDENTS ARE
EMPOWERED TO RUN THEIR OWN
COMMUNITIES AND ALL VILLAGES
ARE PROVIDED WITH ESSENTIAL
SERVICES LIKE CASE MANAGEMENT.
EVEN BASED ON THE METRIC OF THE
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF
THE CITY OF SEATTLE WHICH IS
TRACKING TRANSITIONS TO
PERMANENT HOUSING WHICH WE
DON'T THINK IS THE MOST USEFUL
INDICATOR FOR ALL HOMELESS
SERVICES BUT GOING BY THAT
MEASURE WHICH ULTIMATELY IS THE
MOST IMPORTANT INDICATOR, WERE
YOU ABLE TO MOVE INTO HOUSING,
BY THAT MEASURE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES ARE FOR FAR MORE
SUCCESSFUL THAN EVEN THE
ENHANCED SHELTERS.
WHILE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
MAKE SURE TO ADVOCATE FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY TAXING
BIG BUSINESS AND YOU KNOW WE
ARE CONSTANTLY STRESSING THAT
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES ARE NOT A
SUBSTITUTE FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, FOR ACTUAL HOUSING WE
DO BELIEVE THEY HAVE PROVEN TO
BE AN EFFECTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL
AND HUMANE MECHANISM TO HELP
HOMELESS PEOPLE FIRST OF ALL
NOT BE ON THE STREETS, NOT FACE
VIOLENCE AND THE ELEMENTS AND
FIND A PATH TOWARD HOUSING IN A
WAY THAT NO OTHER PROGRAM HAS
SUCCEEDED TO DO.
IN ADDITION TO FIGHTING FOR
FUNDING FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
BY TAXING BIG BUSINESS WE ALSO
NEED RENT CONTROL SO PEOPLE
HAVE REAL OPTIONS TO MAINTAIN
HOUSING STABILITY, A LOT OF
PEOPLE WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM
WHY DID YOU BECOME HOMELESS AS
A STARTING POINT AS ONE OF THE
MANY COMBINATIONS OF STARTING
POINTS WHY YOU BECAME HOMELESS
IT OFTEN HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT
THAT YOUR RENT WAS
UNSUSTAINABLE.
SO WE CANNOT BE ADVOCATES FOR
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES WITHOUT
ALSO BEING ADVOCATES FOR
EXPANDING PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
BY TAXING BIG BUSINESS TO FUND
SOCIAL HOUSING AND ADVOCATING
FOR RENT CONTROL.
I WANTED TO SHARE WE ARE HAPPY
TO REPORT THAT THE 43rd
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR THE STATE
HAS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED RENT
CONTROL WITHOUT LOOPHOLES,
SIMILARLY, THIS IS A VERY
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT.
SIMILARLY AND BEFORE THE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE
STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WON THE
UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION AND
ACTUALLY SOME OF THE GRASSROOTS
ADVOCATES IN THE PARTY WHO
ADVOCATED ARE RIGHT HERE.
BARBARA AND HER PARTNER SO
EVERYONE SHOULD THANK THEM.
THESE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS NOW
BRING 25 ORGANIZATIONS THAT
HAVE PASSED RESOLUTIONS IN
FAVOR OF RENT CONTROL.
HOWEVER, WHILE HOMELESSNESS
EXISTS THERE IS NO REASON
PEOPLE SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE
STREET WITH NOWHERE TO GO, TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES CAN BE BUILT
QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY.
AS LONG AS WE HAVE A CRISIS OF
HOMELESSNESS THERE SHOULD BE
TINY HOUSE IS AVAILABLE FOR
EVERYONE WHO HAS NOWHERE BETTER
TO GO.
THAT IS WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT,
I AM PLEASED WE ARE HAVING THIS
HEARING AROUND THE BILL WE HAVE
PUT FORWARD EXPANDING OPTIONS
TO BUILD TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN
SEATTLE, IN PARTICULAR PASSING
THE BILL WILL ALLOW VILLAGES
LIKE GEORGETOWN AND NORTH LAKE
TO CONTINUE TO RENEW THEIR
PERMITS AS LONG AS IT IS
JUSTIFIED IN TERMS OF HOW WELL
THE VILLAGE IS WORKING AND
THERE IS STRONG COMMUNITY
SUPPORT, ALLOWING UP TO 40
VILLAGES IN SEATTLE USING THIS
TYPE OF PERMIT, REMOVE
ARBITRARY RESTRICTIONS ABOUT
LOCATIONS OF VILLAGES AND MANY
OTHER SMALL CHANGES TO INCREASE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES IN SEATTLE.
THIS LEGISLATION WILL BE
IMPORTANT BUT IT WILL NOT BE
ENOUGH BY ITSELF.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR FUNDING TO
EXPAND TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN
THE BUDGET AND IN THE MOVEMENT
FOR 2019 WE HAVE PUT FORWARD
LEGISLATION TO FUND NOT JUST
SIGHT BUT FUND THE ADDITIONAL
20 TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN
SEATTLE.
DO WE AGREE WITH THAT?
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE HUMAN
AND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF HOUSE
LIST PEOPLE. THOSE ISSUES ARE
IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE
DISCUSSED AND I HAVE NO
OBJECTION TO MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC BRINGING THOSE POINTS IN
PUBLIC HEARING EVEN THOUGH THEY
ARE NOT DIRECTLY PART OF THE
LEGISLATION BUT WE REALLY WANT
STRONGLY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
ALSO TALK ABOUT WHY YOU SUPPORT
THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL
EXPAND THE ABILITY TO CITE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES IN THE CITY AND
WHY YOU SUPPORT EXTRA FUNDS IN
THE BUDGET IN ORDER TO FUND
EXPANSION OF TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES BECAUSE YOUR
TESTIMONIALS ARE GOING TO REACH
COUNCILMEMBERS EVEN IF THEY ARE
NOT HERE THEY ARE EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT IS THE
BASIS FOR US TO BUILD THIS
COALITION OF VOICES SO PLEASE
MAKE SURE YOU ADVOCATE FOR OR
SAY WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE
BILL AND THE FUNDING FOR
EXPANDING TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THE PUBLIC
HEARING I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION
THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE
LEGISLATION, AFTER TODAY'S
HEARING THIS WILL COUNT AS LAND-
USE LEGISLATION WHICH THE CITY
WAS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND IT
HAS ITS OWN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
INCLUDING AN APPEAL PROCESS
THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED
BEFORE THE COUNCIL CAN VOTE,
THE ANALYSIS WAS APPEALED TO BY
ELIZABETH CAMPBELL WHO ALSO
HELD UP THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROJECT SO THAT APPEAL HAS GONE
TO THE HEARING EXAMINER FOR A
HEARING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER
HOWEVER CITY ATTORNEYS HAVE
FILED FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND
IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL WE COULD
IN THE BEST CASE SCENARIO, WE
COULD BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS
AS EARLY AS NOVEMBER.
IF THE CITY ATTORNEYS ARE NOT
SUCCESSFUL IN THAT WE WILL
STILL BE ABLE TO VOTE BUT IT
WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL THE
HEARING EXAMINER APPROVES THE
ANALYSIS BY THE CITY DONE
THROUGH THE HARD WORK OF
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF BUT
REALISTICALLY IF IT GOES TO
THIS STEP IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN
UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
MY OFFICE WILL KEEP THE PUBLIC
INFORMED ON THE PROGRESS OF
THAT APPEAL AND WHEN THE
LEGISLATION BECOMES AVAILABLE
FOR VOTE WE WILL INFORM ALL
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
WE WILL NOW BEGIN THE PUBLIC
HEARING, THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS
PART OF THE LEGALLY REQUIRED
PROCEDURES FOR LAND-USE
LEGISLATION.
LIKE THIS ONE.
EVERYONE WANTS TO SPEAK SHALL
HAVE TWO MINUTES.
PLEASE DO NOT GO OVERTIME SO WE
CAN MAKE SURE WE GET OUT OF
HERE IN A TIMELY MANNER BECAUSE
I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS OTHER
THINGS TO GET TO IN THEIR
PERSONAL LIFE.
I'M GOING TO CALL NAMES AND
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME PLEASE
LINE UP BEHIND THE MICROPHONE
SO WE DO NOT WASTE TIME BETWEEN
SPEAKERS WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO
GET IN AND OUT OF THEIR SEATS.
BEFORE I CALL OUT SEVERAL NAMES
AT ONCE WILL YOU READ THE
LEGISLATION INTO THE RECORD?>>
CB 119656 ORDINANCE RELATING
TO LAND USE AND ZONING PROVIDING
ENCAMPMENTS FOR HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS ALLOWED ON ANY
PROPERTY OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY
A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION
WITHOUT APPROVAL OF PERMIT
UNDER THE SEATTLE LAND USE CODE
TO PERMIT TRANSITIONAL
ENCAMPMENTS FOR HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS IN ALL PUBLICLY
OWNED OR PRIVATE PROPERTY
WITHIN THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND
PROVIDING FOR RENEWAL OF
TEMPORARY USE PERMITS FOR
TRANSITIONAL ENCAMPMENTS AS A
TYPE I DECISION AS THE DIRECTOR
AMENDING SECTIONS 23 -- OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE AND
AMENDING ORDINANCE 124747.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BEFORE I CALL OUT THE NAMES I
WANT TO READ ONE THING THAT I
THOUGHT WAS VERY STRIKING
I HAVE BEEN THROUGH FIVE BUDGET
PROCESSES NOT INCLUDING THIS
YEAR AND EVERY YEAR THE CITY
COUNCIL GOES THROUGH THE SAME
DISCUSSION OF DO WE HAVE ENOUGH
DATA? THERE IS AMBIGUITY.
ARE THE SWEEPS WORKING OR NOT?
WE KNOW THAT SWEEPS DO NOT WORK
IN THIS IS NOT STATISTICAL
EVIDENCE BUT IT IS STRONG
ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE.
THIS IS SOMETHING I BROUGHT UP
YEAR AFTER YEAR.
I HAVE TALKED TO SO MANY
HOMELESS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
ADVOCATES, NOT ONCE HAS ANYBODY
SAID I WAS HOMELESS AND BEING
SWEPT, BEING PART OF A HOMELESS
SWEEP HELPED ME GET INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING.
BEING PART OF IT INCREASED
MORALE, I'M NOT BEING FACETIOUS.
THE REASON I SAY THIS IS
CONTRAST ZERO INSTANCES OF
HOMELESS PEOPLE SAYING THAT A
SWEEP HELPED TO COUNTLESS
INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE SAY THIS
OR THAT PROGRAM HELPED.
THERE ARE MANY USEFUL PROGRAMS
THAT HELPED PEOPLE IT IS NOT
ONE SIZE FITS ALL AND THE SAME
THING APPLIES TO TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE HEARD
FROM ABOUT HOW THIS HAS BEEN A
LIFELINE IS TREMENDOUS.
I WANT TO READ ONE SUCH EMAIL.
FROM A RESIDENT DEBORAH FOSTER
WHO SAYS TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
SAVED MY LIFE.
SHE IS TALKING ABOUT YES.
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE MANAGED BY
CHER AND WE KNOW SIMILAR GREAT
WORK IS BEING DONE BY
NICHOLASVILLE AND LEHIGH AND
MANY GROUPS.
SHE SAYS NOT ONLY DO THEY
MANAGE THE VILLAGE BUT THEY'RE
RESPONSIVE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
SURROUNDING A VILLAGE, THEY
INTERACTED WITH VARIOUS
RESOURCES IN THE LOCAL AREA TO
GIVE US ONE COMMUNITY MEAL A
DAY FROM A CHURCH CLUBS AND
AGENCIES.
WE HAD A MEDICAL MOBILE VAN
COME EVERY WEEK, THERE WERE
PEST-CONTROL CHECKS AND TOILET
SERVICES.
IF NOT FOR THEIR HELP I WOULD
HAVE BEEN LOST POSSIBLY IN
RELAPSE WITH NO RESOURCES.
THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE TAUGHT
RESPONSIBILITY ACCORDING TO
SKILL LEVEL AND TAUGHT US HOW
IMPORTANT THE COMMUNITY IS AND
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GIVE
BACK.
I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR MAKING
ME THE COMMUNITY MEMBER I AM IN
SOCIETY TODAY.
WE WILL HEAR TESTIMONY TONIGHT.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> IF YOU CAN LINE UP IN ORDER.
GO AHEAD.
EACH OF YOU HAS TWO MINUTES.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR THE MEETING AND
THANK YOU FOR BEING PRESENT IN
THE CHAMBERS.
I AM A MEMBER OF WILL I AM A
LEADER OF WOMEN IN BLACK FOR
THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW WHO
WE ARE WE STAND FOR EVERY
SINGLE HOMELESS PERSON THAT
DIES OUTSIDE OF VIOLENCE IN
KING COUNTY.
BRINGING THIS YEAR'S TOTAL TO
93 THAT WE STOOD FOR IN 2019.
AS OF OCTOBER 11 IN 2018 WE
HAVE STOOD FOR 100, THE NUMBERS
ARE GOING UP, I CANNOT EVEN SAY
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE
HAVE ENCAMPMENTS, HOW IMPORTANT
IT IS FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE
NEED PEOPLE GRASSROOTS
COMMUNITY PIONEERS TO BE GIVEN
REAL POWER TO RUN THESE
COMMUNITIES, THEY HAVE BEEN
DOING IT FOR SO LONG THEY
DESERVE TO HAVE THE POWER TO
CONTINUE TO DO IT.
I AM A FORMER THANK GOD FOR
THEIR PARTICIPANT.
SELF-MANAGEMENT MEANS A LOT,
PEOPLE SHOULD WANT TO SEE
THINGS CHANGE IN THE CITY AND
IF YOU COUNCILMEMBERS DO NOT
CHANGE IT HOW CAN US AS A
PEOPLE NOT WANT TO SEE A
CHANGE?
IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME
ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MY HEART IS
BROKEN.
EVERY TIME I STAND AT A VIGIL
IT BREAKS MY HEART AND I WANT
TO SEE CHANGES, WE NEED TO HAVE
THE POWER THANK YOU, GOD BLESS
YOU AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> HEY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I AM WITH CHER AND WILL AND
WOMEN IN BLACK.
I AM GLAD TO SEE YOUR PROPOSAL
FOR $12 MILLION TO EXPAND THE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES, 20 NEW
VILLAGES AND THANK YOU FOR
EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
SHARE AND WILL AND NICHOLASVILLE
ARE THE PIONEERS IN SELF MANAGE
ENCAMPMENTS AND IN TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
NO AGENCY WOULD BE EAGER TO SET
UP A NEW TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
TODAY IF NICHOLASVILLE HAD NOT
PROVEN THE MODEL SUCCESSFUL.
NO AGENCY WOULD BE EAGER TO
CLAIM AN ENCAMPMENTS IF SHARE
AND WILL HAD NOT PROVEN THE
MODEL SUCCESSFUL.
SELF MANAGED ENCAMPMENTS AND
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES HAVE A
GREAT TRACK RECORD OF
INCREASING COMMUNITY, BOTH
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND BETWEEN
HOMELESS AND HOUSED PEOPLE. IT
IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE
POWER BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE DOING THE WORK.
AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE
RECORD OF DOING GREAT WORK.
INCREASING THE NUMBER THE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES IS GOING TO
DECREASE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS
LIKE SHE SAID WE ALREADY HAVE
WAY TOO DAM MANY.
PLEASE, LET THERE BE LESS DEATH
NEXT YEAR AND MORE SHELTER,
THANK YOU.
>> I'M NOT SURE I CAN FOLLOW UP
SPEECHES. R COMPLETELY MOVING
MY FRIENDS IN WHEEL AND WOMEN
IN BLACK DO REALLY GREAT WORK,
MY NAME IS ALEX FINCH, I
APOLOGIZE FOR MY TERRIBLE
HANDWRITING BUT I AM ONE OF THE
THREE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED
LEADERS AT NICHOLASVILLE
NORTHLAKE.
MYSELF ALONG WITH OTHER
RESIDENTS OF NORTHLAE SUPPORT
THIS GREEN SHEET AND SUPPORT
THIS NEW PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
LIKE THEY SAID WITH 93 OUTDOOR
OR VIOLENT DEATHS IN THE
HOMELESSNESS COMMUNITY I
BELIEVE THIS IS MORALLY AND
ETHICALLY THE RIGHT THING TO
DO.
NOT ONLY WILL YOU SAVE LIVES
BUT IT WILL HELP THE MAYOR
FOLLOW THROUGH ON HER PROMISE
OF OPENING 1000 NEW TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES, TINY HOUSES.
I REALLY THINK THE FULL COUNCIL
SHOULD BE HERE TODAY TO HEAR
WHAT WE OUGHT TO SAY AND I
REALLY DO HOPE AFTER THIS THEY
WILL SIGN ON.
NOT JUST BECAUSE THIS IS MY
SHELTER BUT BECAUSE WITHOUT
SHELTER PEOPLE DO DIE.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE HERE WE ARE 20 YEARS
INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM IN THE
SAME 20th CENTURY NONPROFITS
ARE STILL IN CHARGE GETTING
RICH.
CANNOT OFFER FORTHRIGHT
DILIGENT EFFORTS TO PROVIDE
SHOWER AND LAUNDRY AT THE URBAN
REST STOP BY CITY COUNCIL
ALLOWING A SUB HUMAN
MISTREATING NONPROFIT SIPHONING
SO MUCH MONEY, SHE SHORTCHANGES
FIRST WORLD NEEDS AND HAS EXTRA
TAX DOLLARS TO BUY OUT TAX
LOBBYISTS, WE NEED A JUNCTION
TO ACTAVIS BROKERING DEALS THAT
STEAL FROM THE NEEDS OF THE
POOR.
SHARON LEE HIRES CASE MANAGERS
TO HELP HOMELESS FIND MONEY TO
PAY HER RENT YET EVERYTHING
SHARON LEE OWNS WAS PAID BY
TAXPAYERS RIPPED OFF LIKE THE
HOMELESS, SHE USES THE VILLAGES
TO MANIPULATE THE DATA SENDING
PEOPLE FROM ONE OF HER SHACKS
TO ANOTHER RUNDOWN SO-CALLED
PERMANENT HOUSINGS WHILE
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SHARE
AND NICHOLASVILLE AND
COMPETITION TODAY TO MANIPULATE
FOR MORE MONEY, WHY DOES SHARON
MAKE IT TO CHARGE TAXPAYERS 40
VILLAGE THAT ALWAYS DONATED AND
VOLUNTEERED IT IS OBVIOUS CITY
COUNCIL SOLD OUT THE INTEGRITY
OVERSIGHT OF HOMELESS
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IN TRADE OF
REELECTION SUPPORT AT SUB HUMAN
MISTREATMENT OF THE HOMELESS.
SHARON LEE IS ON RECORD SAYING
SHE WAS ABUSED BY HER
STEPFATHER WHO WITHHELD
EXPENSES AND DENIED THEM
NUTRITIONAL FOOD AND OPPRESSED
HER MOTHER AND FAMILY, IF YOU
INVESTIGATE THE SERVICES SHE
FAILS TO PROVIDE SUCH AS SHOWER
AND LAUNDRY USING RACIST LAZY
DISHONEST RIGHTS VIOLATING
EMPLOYEES SHE IS SIPHONING OFF
OF IT WILL PROVE SHE IS A
CRIMINAL OPPRESSING THE
INNOCENT AND RIPPING OFF THE
TAXPAYERS. STARTING WITH SHARON
LEE, LOW-INCOME HOUSING SEATTLE
HOUSING.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> IT IS A SHAME THAT.
IT IS A SHAME THAT THE REST OF
THE COUNCIL IS NOT HERE.
FOR WE ALL KNOW THAT THE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES ARE IN IMMENSE
SUCCESS.
IT IS A SHAME THAT THEY SIT IN
THE BACKGROUND AND WAIT FOR THE
EXISTING ORDINANCE TO SUNSET
AND GO AWAY.
IF THEY TRULY BELIEVED IN THE
MODEL THEY WOULD'VE SIGNED ON
BY NOW.
I HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
WE HAVE AT LEAST THE TWO OTHER
SIGNATURES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO
MOVE THIS ORDINANCE FORWARD.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY
OTHER THAN PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE
AT STAKE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
DOING THIS AND BEING HERE AND I
KNOW THERE'S A LOT TO LISTEN TO
AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND JAMES WALKER, 17 MONTHS
SOBER, I LIVE IN THE GEORGETOWN
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
THANK YOU.
GEORGETOWN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
IS MY CLIFFSIDE MALIBU, THE
PLACE WHERE I GET TO WORK ON MY
SOBRIETY, I HAVE CLEANED STABLE
LIVING, I AM REINTRODUCED INTO
A SOCIAL SITUATION AND AFTER
SIX YEARS OF TRYING IT LOOKS
LIKE I MAY GET MY ALBUM DONE TO
SELL MY MUSIC.
BUT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ME.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED THIS
SO MUCH MORE THAN ME.
I'M GOING TO GIVE ONE EXAMPLE,
CHANGE THE NAME I WILL CALL HIM
WAYNE.
HE IS DEAF AND DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED, 28 YEARS OLD AND
OPERATING AT THE LEVEL OF A
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD.
I WISH EVERYONE THAT COULD HEAR
THIS COULD THINK WHAT WOULD YOU
DO ON THE STREETS IF YOU HAD
YOUR SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SELF HOW
WOULD YOU GET AROUND?
WE WERE ABLE TO GET HIM OUT OF
A SEXUALLY ABUSIVE SITUATION
WITH AN ABUSIVE PARTNER AND GET
HIM INTO A STABLE PLACE TO
LIVE.
SECONDARILY TWO MORE FOLKS THEY
GOT OFF HEROIN AT GEORGETOWN.
BECAUSE THEY HAD A STABLE PLACE
WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE
ANOTHER GOING TO TREATMENT ON A
WEEKLY BASIS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY SEATTLE
IS NOT DYING BY ANY MEANS IT
DOES HAVE PEOPLE FALLING
THROUGH THE CRACKS AND THERE'S
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW
ABLE TO MAKE THAT 9-TO-5 JOB
AND THE $1000 RENT AND THAT IS
WHY WE NEED TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
THE VILLAGES, IT IS A SOLUTION,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUILD HIGH
RISES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO
PURCHASE HIGH-RISES OR ANYTHING
NEW.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAFF AND
MANTENANCE THEM WE ARE SELF-
CONTAINED UNITS, THANK YOU.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I AM FROM NICHOLASVILLE
NORTHLAKE.
A POET SAID HAPPY FAMILIES ARE
ALL ALIKE, EVERY UNHAPPY FAMILY
IS UNHAPPY IN ITS OWN WAY.
I THINK THAT IS KIND OF TRUE
HOW PEOPLE COME TO
HOMELESSNESS.
WE ALL DRIFT IN MEDICAL DEBT OR
ADDICTION OR MENTAL ILLNESS OR
ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND ME I WAS LIVING WITH MY
YOUNGER BROTHER, HE WAS GIVING
ME A GOOD DEAL ON RENT AND HAD
A PART-TIME JOB.
HE MARRIED A WOMAN AND SHE WAS
REALLY SHY AND I WAS REALLY
TIMID AND I JUST FELT KIND OF
AWKWARD SO I MOVED INTO THE
WOODS.
WHILE I TRIED TO GO TO A
SHELTER AND GOT BIT BY BEDBUGS
SO I STARTED SLEEPING IN DITCHES
AND I SET UP A CAMP IN THIS
RAVINE AND I SORT OF LIKED IT
SOMETIMES BUT EVENTUALLY LIKE
IT WAS REALLY HARD TO TALK TO
PEOPLE LIKE EVEN IN THE GROCERY
STORE AND THEN I FOUND TENT
CITY IN NICHOLASVILLE AND IT
HAS HELPED ME LIKE NICK PACK
WITH PEOPLE.
ANYWAY MY DREAMS ARE BEYOND
BEING HOMELESS NOW.
I HAVE DREAMS THAT ARE BEYOND
THAT.
AND I THINK A MONOPOLY DOES NOT
ALLOW US BEST TO DEAL WITH EACH
CAN A PERSON WHO GETS INTO THE
SITUATION IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
THAT IS MY THOUGHTS.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING
FORWARD THIS LEGISLATION.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I HAPPEN TO BE THE
STATE CHAIR THE PROGRESSIVE
PARTY.
AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT
I WILL PERSONALLY ENDORSE THIS
BILL FOR YOU SO THAT YOU CAN
USE THE NAME WHATEVER GOOD IT
WILL DO.
MEANWHILE, I WANT TO SAY THAT
THE SOLUTION TO PEOPLE BEING
HOMELESS STARTS WITH HOUSING,
IT IS SO OBVIOUS AND THE
SOLUTIONS TO OUTRAGEOUS SPRINT
IS HOUSING THE PEOPLE CAN
AFFORD, SOMETIMES THE AMERICAN
DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP NEEDS TO
BE SCALED DOWN.
WE NEED TINY HOUSE VILLAGES NOT
ONLY FOR THOSE HOMELESS NOW BUT
FOR SENIORS WHO CAN NO LONGER
AFFORD FULL-SIZED HOUSES AND
KEEP IN MIND MY FAVORITE GROUP
TO WATCH OUT FOR PEOPLE WITH
DEMENTIA WHO REALLY NEED ALL
THE CARE AND GUIDANCE AND HELP
THEY CAN POSSIBLY GET.
PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE
FULL-SIZED HOUSES, LACK OF LAND
FORCES US TO SEEK OUT SMALLER
SCALE SOLUTIONS LIKE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
SURROUNDING A GREEN SPACE
CONNECTED TO THE REST OF
SEATTLE BY BUS ROUTES.
VILLAGES WHERE THE PEOPLE RUN
THEIR VILLAGE AS IN THE OLD
TOWN HALL TRADITION MAKE MORE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES AND MAKE
ROOM FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN
OUR CITY CODE WHICH IS ONE OF
THE BIG PROBLEMS.
EVERYONE DESERVES A SAFE PLACE
OF THEIR OWN TO LIVE IN AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> HELLO I WORK FOR LEHIGH WITH
THE TINY HOUSE PROGRAM AND I'M
REALLY GRATEFUL TO THE MANY
VILLAGE RESIDENTS IN ATTENDANCE
TONIGHT FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS
TO BE VULNERABLE AND OPEN ABOUT
THEIR EXPERIENCES SO WITH THAT
IN MIND IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OF THE
CLIENTS AND THE MANY HARDSHIPS
THEY FACE BUT I WANT TO SPEAK
FOR A GROUP OFTEN LEFT OUT OF
THESE DISCUSSIONS.
THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES OFFER
SAFE AND DIGNIFIED SHELTER FOR
26 CHILDREN EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND 71 TOTAL OVER
THE PAST YEAR.
I LIKE TO SPEND MY TIME IN A
FELLOW VILLAGE, THE KIDS RIGHT
AROUND ON THEIR BIKES AND THEY
LOVE PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK AND
THEY ARE THE GOOFIEST AND
SWEETEST HUMANS I HAVE EVER HAD
THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING.
THE VILLAGES OFFER A SAFE PLACE
FOR THEM TO TAKE A SHOWER
BEFORE SCHOOL, THE SECURITY OF
A FULL NIGHTS REST TO DO THEIR
HOMEWORK AND STABILITY TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO BE WHEN
THEY GROW UP, I URGE COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE IN
FUNDING FOR INCREASED VILLAGES
IN THE 2020 BUDGET AND PLEASE
FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT IF YOU
HAVE INTEREST IN VISITING ONE
OF THE VILLAGES AND MEETING ONE
OF OUR FUTURE ASTRONAUTS,
TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND
HOPEFULLY PRESIDENT ONE DAY.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> MY NAME IS ANTHONY LOPEZ A
CURRENT RESIDENT AT T 5. I
WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.
>> A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE
MICROPHONE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY
JOURNEY AT INTERBAY, I ARRIVED
11 MONTHS AGO BROKEN AND LOST
WITH NOWHERE TO GO WITH MY CAT,
THE VILLAGE ACCEPT ME WITH OPEN
ARMS AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING
OFF AND ON EVER SINCE, TWO
MONTHS AGO MARKS THE ONE-YEAR
ANNIVERSARY OF MY SEXUAL ASSAULT
WHICH IS THE REASON WHY I
BECAME HOMELESS.
FOLLOWING THAT DAY I FELL INTO
DESPAIR AND LOST ALL HOPE
STARTED ABUSING MY PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS.
I WAS HEADED DOWN A DARK ROAD,
THIS TIME MY FELLOW TINY CABIN
PEERS AND CASE MANAGER NOTICE
OF CHANGED THEY REACHED IN AND
COACHED ME WITH RESPECT AND
LOVE ESPECIALLY ONE CASE
MANAGER AT THE VILLAGE.
HE TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING
SHOWING ME THE WAY THAT I KNOW
THAT SOUNDS CORNY BUT THAT'S
HOW I FELT AND HOW I FEEL.
I AM 34 DAYS CLEAN AND SOBER
FROM THE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATION.>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I HAVE BEEN OFFERED A JOB
WITH LEHIGH, I HAVE BEEN
OFFERED SCHOOLING AND I START
CULINARY SCHOOL MONDAY.
WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES REALLY DO WORK
AND BECAUSE OF THE TINY VILLAGES
RUN BY LEHIGH AND SHARON LEE
BASICALLY THEY HAVE SAVED MY
LIFE.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> BEFORE YOU GO NOW WE HAVE [
CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I WORK FOR LEHIGH, 196
PEOPLE DIED LIVING ON THE
STREETS LAST YEAR, NOBODY
SHOULD HAVE TO DIE DUE TO LACK
OF SHELTER IN ONE OF THE
RCHEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU AND YOUR
COLLEAGUES FOR THE FUNDING EVEN
THOUGH MANY ARE NOT HERE TODAY,
FOR THE FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF A
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN SEATTLE
WHICH HAS SAVED AND GREATLY
IMPROVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES
OVER THE 3 1/2 YEAR PROGRAM.
WE ARE GRATEFUL ESPECIALLY TO
YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT FOR
YOUR SPONSORING, WEIRD PASSAGE
OF THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO
EXPAND THE NUMBER OF VILLAGES
AND ELIMINATE THE LIMIT, THERE
IS A REASON MY 43 FAITH LEADERS
HAVE SIGNED A LETTER URGING THE
PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE.
EARN THEIR STORIES AND HOW THE
VILLAGE HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR
THEM WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WE
NEED MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
FOR ALL.
AS YOU KNOW TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
ARE THE PREFERRED SHELTER WHERE
PEOPLE ARE BEING REFERRED,
THESE VILLAGES PROVIDE SHELTER
SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CLOSE TO
1000 PEOPLE PER YEAR.
THESE ARE NOT A PERMANENT
SOLUTION BUT A CRITICAL
STEPPINGSTONE, PEOPLE AND
FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN THE
VILLAGES OFTEN BECOME HOMELESS,
THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA
VIOLENCE AND EXPOSURE TO THE
COLD AND RAIN.
MANY LACK ID AND ANY WAY TO
PROVE WHO THEY ARE, OR HAVE A
WARRANT ON THE RECORD BECAUSE
THEY MISSED A COURT DATE
BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AN
ADDRESS.
MANY ARE DISABLED OR STRUGGLING
WITH ADDICTIONS OR HAVE A
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.
IT IS HARD TO GO FROM THESE
CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES INTO
HOUSING ESPECIALLY WHEN THE
HOUSING DOES NOT EXIST.
EVERY VILLAGE HAS CASE
MANAGEMENT AND SEVERAL OF THE
SPECIALISTS, THEY WORK WITH
RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN HOUSING,
EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE
EDUCATION AND MANY OTHER
SERVICES.
THEY UNCOVER EVERY STONE THEY
CAN TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING
AND WITH A SEVERE LACK OF
HOUSING THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL.
THE VILLAGES HAVE SUCCESSFUL
HIGH RATES OF PERMANENT HOUSING
MORE THAN OTHER SHELTER PROGRAMS
AND CASE MANAGERS HAVE
TRANSITIONED OVER 500 AND
PERMANENT HOUSING PLEASE PASS
THIS ORDINANCE FOR THIS
SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO GET MORE
PEOPLE INTO LONG-TERM PERMANENT
HOUSING, THANK YOU.
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> HELLO EVERYONE.
I LOOK AND LIVE IN THE TRUE HOPE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE IN SEATTLE IN
LEHIGH, I LIVE IN A TINY HOUSE
WITH A GIANT HELLO KITTY
PAINTED ON THE FRONT OF IT.
I WANTED TO URGE SUPPORT FOR
THIS MEASURE, MY TINY HOUSE FOR
ME AND EVERYONE IN MY VILLAGE,
I KNOW TRUE HOPE HAS REALLY
HELPED HIM OUT A GREAT DEAL AND
WE ARE LIKE A COMMUNITY.
LEHIGH HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR THE
HOMELESS COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE
AND I WOULD JUST WANT TO URGE
PEOPLE TO PASS THIS MEASURE TO
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
HOMELESSNESS IN TINY HOUSES IN
SEATTLE.
>> HELLO THERE I AM CURRENTLY A
RESIDENT AT CAMP SECOND CHANCE
AND HAVE BEEN SINCE APRIL OF
THIS YEAR WHEN I FOUND MYSELF
WITH AN EVICTION.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE
EXPANSION OF THE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES FOR THE SIMPLE REASON
THAT IT IS A SCARY PLACE TO BE
AS A WOMAN OUT ON THE STREET.
AND THIS TIME OF YEAR IT IS
VERY COLD AND WET.
LIKE THESE WOMAN HERE I THINK
TO MYSELF IT IS NOT US AGAINST
THEM IF WE AS ALL THE SUPPORT
FOR HOMELESSNESS IN GENERAL
COULD COME TOGETHER WHAT A
POWERHOUSE WE COULD REALLY BE
IN THE CITY.
SO I WANT TO DO THINGS THAT YOU
COUNCILMEMBER FOR NOT ONLY
SPENDING YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE
WITH US BUT FOR ALL THE WORK
THAT YOU DO ALL YEAR LONG EVERY
DAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING,
THANK YOU.
>> I WANT YOU TO KNOW I WOULD
NOT BE WANTING TO DO ANYTHING
ELSE ON MY BIRTHDAY.
I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU
ALL.
[ CALLING NAMES ] OKAY GO
AHEAD AND AFTER CARLO [ CALLING
NAMES ]
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP I DO
APPRECIATE THAT.
I LIVE IN THE INTERBAY TINY
CABIN VILLAGE AND IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORT OF
SEATTLE WHO QUITE FRANKLY,
THEIR INVOLVEMENT PUTS THIS
COUNCIL TO SHAME PRESENT
COMPANY EXCLUDED.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL
TO LOOK AT THE MEETING TO SEE
HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD
BE RUN.
THERE ARE 100 STORIES LIKE
ANTONIO'S AND I HAVE A SIMILAR
STORY BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY I
LIKE TO FRAME IT.
SORRY, I AM SHAKING.
I LIKE TO SAY WHAT WE DO FOR
THE COMMUNITY, KIDS LIKE BECCA
LEARNING CIVIC INVOLVEMENT.
WE HAVE KIDS THAT HELP BUILD
THE CABINS, HELP VOLUNTEER, THE
COMMUNITY GETS INVOLVED.
A LOT OF US HAVE JOBS AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY.
KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE TENTS, 60
TENTS ARE OFF THE STREETS, I
DON'T STINK WHEN I GET ON THE
BUS BECAUSE WE HAVE SHOWERS AND
LAUNDRY.
THESE CABINS SERVE THE
COMMUNITY NOT JUST US.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS IN
THE COMMUNITY, COURT SYSTEMS
GET UNCLOGGED BECAUSE IF YOU'RE
ON THE STREETS YOU'RE GOING TO
MEET A COP IT IS THAT SIMPLE,
EVERYTHING YOU DO ON THE STREET
IS ILLEGAL, LOITERING, HAVING
TO USE THE RESTROOM.
BUSINESS OWNERS DO NOT WANT
PEOPLE IN THERE.
WE HAVE SHARPS BOXES FOR PEOPLE
WHO HAVE ADDICTIONS, THEY STEER
PEOPLE TO HELP, THE CASE
MANAGERS.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADDICTIONS LEAN
ON EACH OTHER, MENTAL ILLNESS,
THE SAME THING.
WHATEVER THE COST OF THE
VILLAGE IS, IS WAY CHEAPER THAN
HAVING THE SYSTEM RUN IT ON ITS
OWN.
THAT IS WHAT WE DO FOR THE
COMMUNITY AND THAT NEEDS TO BE
SOLD MORE, THANK YOU FOR
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> FIRST, THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE TONIGHT.
I AM CURRENTLY AN UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND VOLUNTEER THE
LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE.
I FEEL GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO SHARE MY
EXPERIENCE OVER THE LAST MONTHS
WITH THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
COMMUNITIES.
AS A STUDENT I HAVE LEARNED
MORE IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS
ABOUT COMPASSION, KINDNESS, AND
COMMUNITY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.
BE ON THE VILLAGES AND THE
UNIQUE SUCCESS IN HOUSING AND
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS THE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES HAVE THIS
INCREDIBLE ABILITY TO
FACILITATE THE CREATION OF
COMMUNITY ON A LARGE-SCALE.
IN JUST A SHORT TIME I HAVE HAD
THE PRIVILEGE OF WITNESSING HOW
TINY HOUSES HAVE BROUGHT
TOGETHER BUT BUSINESSES
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS,
GOVERNMENTS, SCHOOLS AND
CITIZENS UNDER ONE MISSION TO
CARE FOR FELLOW NEIGHBORS.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO EACH
VILLAGE THAN THE PHYSICAL
STRUCTURE, BEHIND EVERY PIECE
OF WOOD THERE IS A DEDICATED
VOLUNTEER.
A PASSIONATE DONOR AND A
COMMITTED ORGANIZER.
BEHIND EVERY RUNNING VILLAGE
THERE IS A TIRELESS GROUP OF
MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT GENEROUS
AND CARING COMMUNITIES THAT
SURROUND THEM.
AND EVERY POSITIVE OUTCOME
THERE IS A GIFTED HUMAN BEING
LIFTED UP AND EMPOWERED BY THE
COMMUNITY OF THEIR FELLOW
RESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, THIS
MATTERS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE COUNCILMEMBER.
I UNDERSTAND IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY
I HOPE IT IS THE BEST EVER.
I CAME INTO HOMELESSNESS BY WAY
OF LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
IN BEING HOMELESS ALONG THE WAY
I LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS.
ABOUT COMPASSION AND HUMILITY,
PRIDE, SUFFERING, PAIN, DRUG
ABUSE, I LEARNED TO DO THINGS
MY OWN WAY.
MY OWN RULES, SET MY OWN RULES,
SPIRALING FURTHER AND FURTHER
OUT OF CONTROL, FURTHER AND
FURTHER INTO DESPAIR AND
DEPRESSION.
ENDING UP IN DRUG TREATMENT
CENTERS, DETOX CENTERS,
AMBULANCES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD
I STARTED CLIMBING BACK OUT AND
ALONG THE WAY I STARTED FINDING
PLACES LIKE THE MISSION WHICH
THAT IS WHERE I LEARNED ABOUT
HUMILITY, THE MISSION.
AND I ALSO LEARNED ABOUT OTHER
THINGS YOU KNOW?
LIKE WHAT KIND OF HELP THERE
WAS FOR ME.
AND AFTER A FEW YEARS INTO IT I
RAN INTO A PLACE CALLED TENT
CITY 3 WHERE I BECAME A MEMBER
OF THE COMMUNITY BUT I ALSO
SOLVED PROBLEMS.
PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING HERE TODAY
ON THE POWER OF BEING WITH
NICHOLASVILLE, I DON'T
UNDERSTAND ANY OF THAT, I ONLY
UNDERSTAND UNTIL I FOUND SECOND
CHANCE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE I DID
NOT THINK THERE WAS ANY HOPE, I
THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO SPEND IT
ANOTHER WINTER I DID NOT KNOW
IF I WAS GOING TO LIVE THROUGH
OR NOT.
I WAS SCARED TO DEATH OF THE
WINTER COMING IN 19 AND 2020
UNTIL I FOUND THE TINY VILLAGE.
THERE I FOUND RESPECT, I
LEARNED COMMUNITY, HOW TO STEP
BACK INTO SOCIETY FOLLOWING IN
RULES THAT ARE PUT INTO PLACE
SO WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER IN A
COMMUNITY CARING FOR EACH
OTHER, VOLUNTEERING, HELPING
OUR NEIGHBOR OUT, IT IS A
BEAUTIFUL THING THESE TINY
VILLAGES AND I HOPE THEY
CONTINUE TO GROW.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> COUNCILMEMBER FIRST OF ALL I
WANT TO SAY I AM JUST,
PRIVILEGED TO BE HERE TONIGHT
AND WHEN I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY I THOUGHT IT WAS
A JOKE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS
ACTUALLY YOUR BIRTHDAY.
THIS IS ACTUALLY YOUR BIRTHDAY?
>> YES.
>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY
, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I DON'T HAVE MUCH ELSE TO SAY
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IS AN
AMAZING AMAZING EXAMPLE OF
PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND IF OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS
HAD THE ATTITUDE, THE NEED
COMES BEFORE US, TO SERVE THE
COMMUNITY MEANS TO MEET HUMAN
NEEDS THAT ARE ACUTE,
HOMELESSNESS IS ACUTE, THE
WEATHER IS CHANGING, MOTHERS
AND DAUGHTERS AND SONS ARE
SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS.
I HAVE HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH
ANY SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS
OTHER THAN THE TINY HOMES.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT HAS
LIFTED MY SPIRITS, EVERYONE
THAT I KNOW THAT HAS GONE
THROUGH THE TINY HOUSE
EXPERIENCE HAS COME OUT ON THE
BRIGHT SIDE.
I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND
I HOPE THE CITY COUNCIL WILL
CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED
TO DO TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN,
OUR VULNERABLE WOMEN, MEN WHO
HAVE PROBLEMS AND WHO HAVE BEEN
FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS THAT
THEY WILL DO WHAT THEY SHOULD DO
IS A DECENT AND HUMANE GROUP TO
SUPPORT THIS CAUSE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO MY NAME IS KARL MALONE.
I WAS HOMELESS BEFORE HE MOVED
TO CAMP SECOND CHANCE, I SUFFER
FROM A SEIZURE DISORDER.
>> CAN YOU GET CLOSER?
>> I SUFFER FROM A SEIZURE
DISORDER AND SOME MENTAL
ILLNESS, ASIDE FROM THAT I AM A
PRETTY GREAT GUY.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE HAS ALLOWED
ME TO HAVE FOOD, SHELTER, THIS
VERY CLOTHING I AM WEARING.
I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE THIS
MEETING WAS HAPPENING UNTIL
THEY LET ME KNOW AND MADE ME
SHOWUP.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT
CAMP SECOND CHANCE IS IT IS
REALLY ITS OWN LITTLE COMMUNITY.
I DON'T FEEL HOMELESS.
WITHOUT IT I WOULD BE ON THE
STREETS BATTLING MY SEIZURES,
BATTLING MY MENTAL ILLNESS AND
IT IS TERRIBLY DANGEROUS.
SO I GET CASE MANAGEMENT, I AM
ON MY WAY TO GET PERMANENT
HOUSING. DISABILITY AND THERE
IS HOPE FOR ME AGAIN.
WITHOUT THAT I COULD VERY WELL
BE ONE OF YOUR STATISTICS.
WHETHER IT BE A VIOLENT DEATH
OR JUST HAVING A SEIZURE IN THE
COLD.
IT IS VERY POSSIBLE SO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> JAMES, PLEASE COME TO THE
FRONT AND THEN [ CALLING NAMES
]
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILWOMAN I
AM HERE ON BEHALF OF HERE WILL
AND TENT CITY 3 I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK YOU ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR
YOUR ABOVE AND BE ON CALL OF
DUTY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN
OBEDIENT TO AND HAVE TOTALLY
ROCKED IT IT IS AWESOME.
I CAME TO SEATTLE IN 2015 TO
JOIN MY FATHER WHO HAS BEEN
PART OF THE SHARE WILL
COMMUNITY 13 YEARS TO HELP THEM
THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES AND
BAD HEALTH.
HE TOOK ME TO THE TENT CITY 3
PROVIDING ME WITH A SAFE PLACE
TO STAY AS I HELPED HIM WITH
HIS HEALING AND WHAT HE WAS
GOING THROUGH.
I WAS SO TAKEN BY THE SENSE OF
COMMUNITY AT TENT CITY 3 AND
ALL OF THE SHELTER PROVISIONS
THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A SAFE
PLACE TO STAY, THERE WAS A LOT
OF SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE, THERE
WAS A LOT OF WISDOM, THERE WAS
GENUINE TLC FOR THE INDIVIDUALS
WHO CAME INTO THE CAMP.
THEY SHOWED ALL OF US AND THESE
NEWFOUND SURROUNDINGS, THEY
SHOWED US SO MUCH GRACE.
THEY DID SHOW US HUMILITY, THEY
TAUGHT US TO BE HUMBLE, THEY
TAUGHT US TO APPRECIATE WHAT WE
HAVE THAT WE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO
ANYTHING, I CHOSE TO COME BACK
SO I COULD BE A VOICE FOR TENT
CITY 3. I AM HERE TO THANK YOU
VERY MUC FOR YOUR PROPOSAL TO
EXPAND THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
IS IN SEATTLE.
THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THIS
STRUCTURE HAS BEEN OBSERVED
WORLDWIDE AND MODELED FROM FOR
DECADES.
THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO
LIVE ANYMORE NOT JUST SEATTLE
BUT EVERYWHERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SAFE
ENVIRONMENT TRYING TO REBUILD
THEIR LIVES IS GREAT WE LOOK
FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO
OPENING NEW VILLAGES WHERE WE
CAN PROVIDE A MODEL FOR GREAT
SHELTER AGAIN, ALLOWING IT TO
OPERATE THE CAMPS WITH AUTONOMY
WE WILL ENSURE SAFETY BETWEEN
INVOLVED ORGANIZATIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
EVERYTHING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD EVENING.
I AM FORMERLY A, I WAS WAS IN
THE INDOOR SHELTER SYSTEM FOR A
TOTAL OF ONE AND HALF YEARS.
I WILL HAVE TO REFER TO MY
NOTES.
SHARE, I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS
HERE TODAY WHO ARE HERE IN THE
TINY VILLAGE IS NOW.
SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT I KNOW, I
SAW ONE WORKING AND GOT
EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING AND GOT
OUT OF THE SITUATION.
I SAW ONE PERSON WHO IS PUTTING
UP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THE SOON
TO BE DEAD MACY'S BUILDING.
SO THIS SYSTEM WORKS, I'M DOING
BADLY.
OKAY.
THE SHELTER SYSTEM ESPECIALLY
WITH TINY HOUSES GIVES A PLACE
OF COMMUNITY, STABILITY,
PRIVACY, SECURITY AND DIGNITY.
AND YOU NEED STABILITY AND
COMMUNITY.
TO BASICALLY STAY BALANCED AND
BE ABLE TO PROGRESS FORWARD.
IF YOU HAVE STABILITY AND YOU
KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL IS
COMING FROM AND YOU KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE SLEEPING THAT NIGHT YOU
CAN DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO
OTHER ITEMS.
SO, MY FRIEND HE HAS
ELECTRICITY WHICH WE DID NOT
HAVE, THIS PROVIDES POWER FOR
PHONES AND COMPUTERS WHERE YOU
CAN DO A JOB SEARCH, FIND
HOUSING AND MEDICAL HELP AND
REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH YOUR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
SO, JUST HAVING A DOOR TO LOCK
IN A PLACE TO KEEP YOUR STUFF
AND KNOWING IT'S GOING TO BE
THERE PROVIDES A GREAT DEAL OF
SECURITY FOR PEOPLE TO HELP
THEM MOVE ON.
TINY HOUSES ARE TEMPORARY BUT
IT IS A PROCESS.
AND WE DO NEED MORE OF THIS,
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I DO NOT KNOW WHERE
THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS ARE
BUT PERSONALLY I CANNOT SUPPORT
ANYONE, I CAN'T VOTE FOR ANYONE
WHO DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS.
I GUESS THOSE PEOPLE ARE THE
ONES I AM SPEAKING TO CHIEFLY.
I LIVE IN WEST SEATTLE, SINCE I
MOVED THERE THE RENT HAS TRIPLED
AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING OUTSIDE
SINCE JANUARY 2018 SO I SEE
HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET
DAILY AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING.
I DID THAT I NEED TO TINY HOUSE
TOUR AS PART OF THE GREEN EXPO
AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
I SEE A REALLY DISTURBING TREND
IN ONLINE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS OF
REALLY VITRIOL BLAMING OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND I
GUESS IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE IF
ONE IS FEELING I CANNOT EVEN
SUPPORT MY OWN FAMILY WHY
SHOULD I SUPPORT OTHER PEOPLE?
THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE FOR
SO MANY REASONS.
MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE SPOKEN
ABOUT REASONS THEY BECAME
HOMELESS AND THIS JUST HAPPENED
TO SOMEONE I KNOW WHO IS
WORKING BECAUSE THEY CANNOT
FIND AFFORDABLE RENT.
I HAVE A RELATIVE IN ANOTHER
STATE BUILDING THEIR OWN TINY
HOUSE BECAUSE THEY ARE A CANCER
SURVIVOR AND I UNDERSTAND THERE
CAN BE PROBLEMS WITH TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES AND COMMUNITIES AND
NEIGHBORHOODS BUT THIS IS TRUE
OF ANY PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE
PEOPLE LIVING SO IT'S TRUE
WHERE YOU HAVE RENTERS
INDEFINITELY THE HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATIONS SO WE NEED TO
ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE
THE PROBLEM OF DYING ON THE
STREET IS MUCH WORSE OF A
PROBLEM.
SO I UNDERSTAND THE PERMANENT
SOLUTION IS COMPLICATED BUT
THAT MEANS WE NEED SAFE HUMANE
TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS. I DO NOT
WANT TO SEE ANY MORE STORIES OF
SOMEONE IN MY CITY DYING ON THE
STREETS.
WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING,
WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE THE
PERMANENT SOLUTIONS YET, WE
KNOW THIS IS A TEMPORARY
SOLUTION THAT WORKS SO WHAT
MORE INFORMATION DO WE NEED?
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I AM A NICHOLS BILL FOUNDER AND
VOLUNTEER, THANK YOU FOR
DRAFTING THE NEW ORDINANCE,
THANK YOU FOR PROPOSING 20/20
BUDGET CHANGES THAT WOULD KEEP
NICHOLASVILLE NORTH LAKE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE OPEN, THANK YOU
FOR SUPPORTING A NEW SITE FOR
FELLOW RESIDENTS WHO DON'T WANT
TO LIVE IN A TOP-DOWN LOW
BARRIER ENCAMPMENT CREATED.
NICHOLASVILLE SUPPORTS THE
ENTIRE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
INCLUDING RENT CONTROL AND ITS
MANY CRUCIAL ELEMENTS TO
ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING AND
SPARK SYSTEMIC CHANGE, THE DRAFT
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE ORDINANCE IS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES ADDING NEEDED
PROTECTION FOR RESIDENTS.
HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT
NICHOLASVILLE HAS LEARNED ARE
NEEDED.
NUMBER ONE A RESIDENT RIGHT TO
PRIVACY AND ASSEMBLY, OCCUPYING
A FELLOW TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
LEHIGH HAS INSTALLED SEVEN
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AIMED AT
THE RESIDENCE WITHOUT CONSENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE
INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST FIVE
YEARS WHERE LEHIGH CASE MANAGERS
SHARE RESIDENTIAL PRIVATE
INFORMATION OFTEN WITH OTHER
RESIDENTS.
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SAYS LEHIGH HAS NO OBLIGATION
TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO HAVE
MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE FROM
OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE, THEY DO
NOT BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF
ASSEMBLY.
A LEGITIMATE GRIEVANCE PROCESS,
LEHIGH SITTING ON GRIEVANCES
FILED A MONTH AGO WITH THE
PUBLIC PROCESSES PROMISING
RESOLUTION IN 10 DAYS, THE
ULTIMATE ARBITER OF ALL
GRIEVANCES IS ONE PERSON A MID-
LEVEL MANAGER, BEYOND HIM THERE
IS NO APPEAL.
THERE IS NO REAL GRIEVANCE
PROCESS FOR HST AT ALL, NUMBER
THREE A DEFINITION OF SELF-
MANAGEMENT AND DEMOCRACY
CALLING A SYSTEM WITH PAID ON-
SITE MANAGERS OVERWRITING
DEMOCRATICALLY VOTED VILLAGE
DECISIONS.
NUMBER FOUR, NO MORE MONOPOLIES.
GRANTING ONE LARGE CORPORATE
AGENT EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO
OPERATE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
HURTS HOMELESS PEOPLE AND STOPS
US FROM SEEING WHAT WORKS BEST
AND MAKES NO FINANCIAL SENSE.
THANK YOU.
>> DO WE HAVE HAROLD HERE?
HAROLD YOU GO AFTER [ CALLING
NAMES ]
>> I KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE OLD
DAYS.
WE HAVE THE COMMITTEE TO END
HOMELESSNESS.
THAT WAS, AND COULD BE 12 OR 14
YEARS AGO.
THE COMMITTEE TO END
HOMELESSNESS.
THEY WERE SMART, THEY WERE
CARRYING BUT EVERYTHING DID NOT
WORK.
HOMELESSNESS GREW, THERE WERE
THOUSANDS MORE HOMELESS PEOPLE
EVERY YEAR.
NOTHING WORKED.
NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT
WORKS.
IT HAS BEEN REALLY WONDERFUL
AND EXCITING TONIGHT TO LISTEN
TO PEOPLE SAY THAT THE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE MAKES A
DIFFERENCE.
IT WORKS, IT GIVES PEOPLE, IT
GIVES HOMELESS PEOPLE THE POWER
TO GET THEIR LIVES BACK.
IT HAS BEEN EXCITING TO HEAR
THAT HASN'T IT?
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> CITY COUNCIL HAS GOT TO
APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.
94 PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DIED AND
WINTER IS COMING.
I HOPE CITY COUNCIL WILL WANT
TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AND
BUILD MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE SOME EVIDENCE, TWO
REPORTS CAME OUT THIS WEEK, ONE
FROM THE CALIFORNIA PROJECT LAB
AND IT DEMONSTRATES WHAT
HOMELESS PEOPLE GO THROUGH ON
THE STREET, TRAUMA, DEATH AND
HEALTH, IT SKYROCKETS.
MY BIG LEFT TOE AND ROTO WERE
AMPUTATED AND I WENT TO
GEORGETOWN NICHOLASVILLE WHERE
HE FOUND SHOWERS, A GREAT PLACE
TO RECOVER AND I AM THE
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.
I TOOK A HOLD OF THOSE THINGS
THAT THEY HAD AND I GRABBED ON
TO THEM AND THEY SAVED MY LIFE.
WHATEVER WAS THERE LET'S GET
MORE THAN.
WE NEED MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
AND WE LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY,
WHATEVER ONE PERSON DOES DOES
NOT MEAN THE OTHER PERSON HAS
TO DO IT.
ONE PERSON ONE VOTE, IF IT GETS
HOMELESS PEOPLE OFF THE STREET
INTO HOUSING DO WE REALLY CARE
IF THAT PERSON DID IT THIS WAY
OR THE OTHER PERSON DID IT THAT
WAY?
GROW UP WE NEED PEOPLE OFF THE
STREET BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE
DYING.
MY DOG MY BEST FRIEND DIED THERE
BUT I WILL BE IF I SAY I DON'T
WANT TO GO THERE AND I THINK
EVERYBODY HAS THAT RIGHT
WITHOUT ANY MORE TRAUMA TO THEM.
THESE REPORTS TALK ABOUT
BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE
DATA OF WHAT HOMELESS PEOPLE GO
THROUGH, EVEN IN SHELTERS WE GO
THROUGH SO MUCH TRAUMA BECAUSE
OF SO MUCH POLITICAL FIGHTING.
I AM NOT FOR THAT BUT I AM FOR
MORE TINY HOUSES AND IF WE GET
WRAPAROUND SERVICES IN THOSE
HOUSES AND DEMAND THAT FROM THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS THAN I CAN
SAY THINGS THAT ARE JUST NOT
APPROPRIATE BECAUSE THAT IS
NEEDED PICKING.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY AND
IMPRESS UPON THE COUNCIL IS
THAT WE GET MORE TINY HOUSES SO
PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREET,
SURVIVE, GET THE MEDICAL THINGS
THEY NEED, GET INTO JOBS AND
SCHOOLS WHATEVER THEY NEED TO
DO.
THANK YOU AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS ON
YOUR BIRTHDAY AND I FEEL VERY
HUMBLED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
TO HEAR ALL THE VOICES.
I AM FROM DISTRICT 5 IN NORTH
SEATTLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO READ SOMETHING
FROM THE BEAUTIFUL LETTER THAT
WAS SENT TO THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL FROM 43 FAITH LEADERS.
HOMELESSNESS IS A CRISIS CRYING
OUT FOR A HUMANE COMPASSIONATE
REMEDY, WE ARE EXCITED THAT
SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT HAS BROUGHT FORWARD
LEGISLATION TO ALLOW FOR UP TO
40 TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN THE
CITY.
THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN
BROADVIEW BITTER LAKE
NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNED ONTO THIS
LETTER PASTOR GARY AND I WANT
TO THANK REVEREND ANGELA FOR
THAT, FOR HELP WITH THAT, NOT
HELP BUT FACILITATING THAT.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT IN NORTH
SEATTLE TO, TO HAVE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SO THERE IS
THE URGENT NEED TO EXTEND
IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS WITH DIGNITY
AND HUMANITY, TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES CAN BE THAT, AS A
TRAINED PROFESSIONAL NURSE NOW
RETIRED ISS THE NAVIGATION TEAM
SWEEPS AS BEING HARMFUL TO THE
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE
MOST VULNERABLE OF US AND
WASTEFUL OF CITY RESOURCES.
I AM ASKING COUNCIL TO PLEASE
SUPPORT KEMP SUPPORT FOR UP TO
40 TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN THE
CITY AND USE THE $10 MILLION
SPENT ON THE SWEEPS INSTEAD FOR
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD EVENING I AM A MEMBER
OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST.
WE HAVE BUILT OVER 30 HOMES AT
CAMP SECOND CHANCE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IT HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE
AND JOY AND HAVE PERSONALLY
SEEN TRANSFORMATION IN LIVES,
BOTH SIDES OF THE LATTER.
VOLUNTEERS AND RESIDENTS, IT
WORKS.
AND I HAVE IT ON FIRST NEWS
THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE READY TO
GET GOING AND BUILD MORE HOUSES
IN THESE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES SO
WE ARE READY TO GO.
ALL RIGHT?
>> SPECIFICALLY TONIGHT WITH A
MESSAGE TO THE COUNCIL.
THE PUBLIC IS VERY UPSET WITH
THE AMOUNT OF DRUG ABUSE AND
NUMBER OF DRUG USERS THAT ARE
IN UNSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS WHO
NEED HELP.
THIS IS A PUBLIC OUTCRY THAT WE
HEAR ALL THE TIME.
THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR
SYNERGY WITH THE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES AND TACKLING THE
ISSUE, WE KNOW PEOPLE CHOOSE TO
GO INTO REHAB WHEN THEY KNOW
THEY WILL HAVE SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING WHEN THEY COME OUT.
ONE REASON WHY, CAMP SECOND
CHANCE IS A SELF-DECLARED CLEAN
AND SOBER CAMP SO IF YOU HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MORE
CAMPS THAT ARE CLEAN AND SOBER,
MORE PEOPLE FINDING THEMSELVES
LOST IN DRUG ABUSE WILL CHOOSE
TO GO TO REHAB BECAUSE THEY
HAVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, THEY
KNOW THEY WILL HAVE WRAPAROUND
SERVICES WHEN THEY COME OUT IF
THEY CAN RESIDE IN THE
SANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS.
AS A MESSAGE TO THE CITY AND
THE COUNCIL THIS IS A
TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW
WE ARE HOPING TO TACKLE THE
ISSUE.
THANK YOU AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER FOR
SPEARHEADING THIS ORDINANCE,
THIS HAS GOT TO BE HEAVY
LIFTING.
LOOKING AROUND WITH NO HELP
RIGHT NOW.
I AM A MEMBER OF SOUND
FOUNDATIONS, WE HAVE BUILT 32
HOUSES, WE ARE READY TO BUILD
MORE.
I HAVE SEEN THE TRANSFORMATION
BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR
18 MONTHS, WE ARE THE HAMMER
AND SAW FOUNDATIONS AND HAVE
BEEN THERE EVERY WEEKEND FOR
THE LAST 18 MONTHS SO WE HAVE
SEEN A LOT OF TRANSITION IN
PEOPLE'S LIVES AND MY PARTNER
LIKES TO SAY IF WE COME BACK IN
SIX MONTHS AND WE DON'T
RECOGNIZE A SINGLE FACE THAT IS
SUCCESS.>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IS THAT YOU?
>> HELLO EVERYBODY.
>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
I HAVE BEEN WITH NICHOLASVILLE
AS WELL AS LEHIGH OVER THE LAST
8 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN
HOMELESS IN THE SEATTLE AREA.
I AM A MUSICIAN AND I CAME HERE
TO WORK ON MY MUSIC FULL-TIME
FROM DALLAS AND FOUND MYSELF IN
THIS POSITION.
KIND OF SCARY I COME FROM BOTH
SIDES OF THE TRACKS NOW AND
WHAT I HAVE NOTICED, THERE
SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF A HICCUP
IN THE STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.
IT NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE BIT
MORE, I WAS IN LEHIGH FOR NINE
MONTHS I JUST GOT INTO MY NEW
PLACE A WEEK OR SO AGO, THANK
GOD.
IT HAS SAVED MY LIFE.
I WENT IN AND I WAS STILL USING
QUITE A BIT AND AFTER I SAW MY
THINGS ROLLING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION, PAPERWORK AND THINGS
I NEEDED TO GET REASSESSED WITH
AND BACK IN LINE WITH MY
MILITARY BENEFITS I AM TRYING
TO GET BACK.
WHEN I SAW THINGS MOVING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION AS DID OTHER
PEOPLE WHEN THEY SEE THEIR
THINGS MOVING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION THE USAGE TAPERS WAY
OFF.
I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE THAT JUST
ARRIVED AND WERE JUST YOU KNOW
AND I DEFINITELY IN A MATTER OF
A FEW MONTHS THINGS STARTED
MOVING FORWARD IN THEIR USE
STARTED TAPERING OFF WITHOUT
THEM REALIZING UNTIL IT WAS
BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION HOW
GREAT THEY LOOK AND SEEMED TO
TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON WHAT
NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I DO SUGGEST THERE STREAMLINE
IN THE SYSTEM, A RANGE OF 3 TO
6 MONTHS AND SECTION 8, THE
PROCESS, THE AMOUNT WAS NOT
QUITE UP TO PAR WITH THE RENTAL
AMOUNT IN THE AREA WHICH WAS
$50 OR SO TRYING TO GET THE
INFRACTION FIXED SO I COULD GET
IN.
I HAD MY SECTION 8 IN APRIL AND
I JUST GOT IT NOW FINALLY
DILIGENTLY ME AND LINDSAY MY
CASEWORKER LOOKING FOR PLACES
LEFT AND RIGHT SO THAT NEEDS TO
BE FIXED, THE STREAMLINING OF
THE TIMEFRAME WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY AS
WELL AS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE
THAT ARE HIRED IN TO HELP WITH
CASE MANAGEMENT.
WE HAD A LOT OF SHIFT CHANGES
THAT CAUSED DELAYS BUT THERE
SHOULD BE 3 TO 5 MONTHS OR
MAYBE SIX AND THERE SHOULD BE
SOMEBODY ELSE BEHIND US.
>> SORRY COULD YOU WRAP UP?
COULD YOU START WRAPPING UP?
>> OKAY.
SORRY.
>> PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TALK TO
MY STAFF OFF-LINE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH I
APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]>> FIRST OF ALL
THANK YOU AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I HAVE BEEN IN THESE HALLS AND
I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR A WHILE.
I AM ONE OF THE GRADUATES FROM
THE LOVE UNIT I WAS IN A TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE SO NOW I HAVE
MYSELF AN APARTMENT SO FIRST
THING IS FIRST I WILL SAY THEY
DO HELP.
THEY ARE A PROVISION FOR PEOPLE
TO STRAIGHTEN UP THEIR LIFE IF
THEY CHOOSE TO DO IT WITH THE
ASSISTANCE OF DIFFERENT PLACES.
WHEN I FIRST CAME UP HERE I WAS
WITH STOP THE SWEEPS, ONE OF
THE ORGANIZERS.
I WAS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THE
CITY HAD, PEOPLE DO NOT THINK
IT WOULD WORK BUT IT IS WORKING.
THE SAME THING WITH HIS.
PEOPLE SAY THIS WILL NOT WORK
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING GIVE THEM
THIS OR THAT BUT WE ALL HAVE TO
COME TOGETHER.
IT'S NOT JUST ON THE CITY
COUNCIL, BUT SOCIETY, EVERYBODY
HAS TO PUT IN THEIR WORK IS
SOMETHING I WANT TO SAY I WANT
TO STRESS AND MAKE IT KNOWN
INSIDE THE TINY HOUSES I WAS
AFFORDED DIGNITY BECAUSE WHEN I
WAS OUT ON THE STREET, THE
NAVIGATION TEAM AND THE
COUNSELORS, TRYING TO GET
APPLICATIONS, YOU KNOW YOU ARE
NOT IN NEED, YOU DON'T NEED
NOTHING YOU ARE TOO THIS OR
THAT, TOO CAPABLE SO I COULD
NOT GET IN NAVIGATION CENTERS
SO HAD THE LITTLE TENT THINGS
AND WHEN THEY TOOK US OFF THE
FIELD.
ME AND MY GROUP TRY TO OPEN UP
EXACTLY WHERE LEHIGH HAS NOW
SET UP THE LOVE UNIT, THAT WAS
ONE PLACE WE WANTED TO GO AND
HAVE TAKEN SOME OF THE ADVICE
THAT THE PEOPLE HAD BECAUSE
BACK IN THE DAY WE TRIED TO GET
50 UNITS PUT UP BECAUSE I WAS
IN THE SECOND CHANCE AND I LEFT.
IT IS A GOOD THING THEY ARE
OPENED, THERE ARE SOME TROUBLES
AND PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PERFECT,
NOT ONE FIX OFFER EVERYBODY.
THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THINGS,
NOBODY'S PERFECT ON ONE SIDE
BUT I WANT TO SAY I SUPPORT YOU
ALL AND I AM LETTING YOU KNOW
I'M ABOUT TO PUT MY HAT BACK IN
THE RING, I HAVE A COUPLE IDEAS
I WANT TO BRING UP AND TALK TO
YOU FOR THE NEXT NEW YEAR.>> [
APPLAUSE ]>> [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I AM THE CHAIR OF THE
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AND I LIVED FOR 22 YEARS IN THE
ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY.
COUNCILMEMBERS, 94 OF OUR
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS HAVE DIED
THIS YEAR, WHEN I STOOD BEFORE
YOU ALTERING THE HOUSING FOR
ALL 2017 BUDGET CAMPAIGN IT HAD
BEEN 64 PEOPLE WHICH IS A
RECORD-BREAKING NUMBER.
WE SAID WITHOUT BOLD ACTION TO
ADDRESS THE LONG AND SHORT-TERM
NEEDS MORE PEOPLE WOULD DIE.
DESPITE GOOD INTENTIONS THE
BOLD ACTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN
TAKEN AND THE VULNERABLE
NEIGHBORS SUFFER.
TWO PHRASES WHICH, FREQUENTLY
IN TESTIMONY WITHOUT SHELTER
PEOPLE DIE AND WE NEED TO BE
INVESTING ON THE SCALE OF THE
CRISIS AND BOTH OF THOSE APPLY
TO THIS ORDINANCE.
SHELTERS AND TINY HOUSES DO NOT
DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THE
UNDERLYING ISSUES CAUSING THE
HOMELESS CRISIS BUT THEY SAVE
LIVES LITERALLY AND
FIGURATIVELY.
OF THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE THE MOST
EFFECTIVE HARM REDUCTION
STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THIS
CRISIS.
EXPANDING THE PROGRAM AS BOLDLY
AND QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IS AN
OBVIOUS NEED AND I URGE YOU WHO
ARE WATCHING FROM HOME TO WORK
TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE AS WE
PIONEER CUTTING-EDGE SOLUTIONS
WE MUST CONTINUALLY LEARN FROM
EXPERIENCES AND ADJUST PROGRAMS
TO ENSURE THEY ARE BEING AS
EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE AND
REMAIN ROOTED IN VALUES.
THIS PROGRAM HAS FALLEN SHORT
OF BEING PERSON CENTERED IN HOW
IT IS DEVELOPED AND
ADMINISTERED FAILING TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS OR TO
CENTER THE VOICES OF THOSE MOST
IMPACTED AND THE METRICS BEING
USED TO MEASURE SUCCESS HAVE
UNINTENDED HARMFUL IMPACTS.
WE ALSO SLIPPED INTO A SINGLE
SERVICE PROVIDER WHICH LEAVES
THE PROGRAM VULNERABLE LEAVING
IT TO THE CAPACITY OF THAT
PARTICULAR PROVIDER AND IT
LEAVES A LIMIT IN THE RANGE OF
SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE OFFERED.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO AMEND TO
COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING THESE
ISSUES, THE RIGHTS OF PROGRAM
PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BE CLEARLY
DEFINED, THERE MUST BE ACCESS
TO A ROBUST GRIEVANCE PROCESS
EXTERNAL TO THE SERVICE
PROVIDER AND THERE MUST BE
PROCESSES FOR ENSURING THE
VOICES OF PARTICIPANTS ARE
INCLUDED AT ALL LEVELS.
PLEASE MAKE THE NECESSARY
AMENDMENTS, PASS THE EXPANSION
AND GET ONTO THE WORK OF
ADDRESSING THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING CRISIS, THANK YOU AND
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
FOR BEING THE KIND OF PERSON
WHO KEEPS SHOWING UP FOR
COMMUNITIES AND CENTERING THE
VOICES OF PEOPLE MOST IMPACTED.
FROM WHEN I IMPLORE THE COUNCIL
TO COME JOIN ME IN PROTESTING
THE SWEEP OF THE FIELD OF
DREAMS YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY
BEEN THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO
SHOWS UP WHEN THE COMMUNITY
CALLS ON YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> HELLO I AM WITH THE SOUTH
LAKE UNION TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
SINCE JULY, SINCE THEN I HAVE
STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS.
I HAVE GOTTEN STARTED GETTING
DOCUMENTS TO GET MY ID SO I CAN
GET INTO HOUSING AND THINGS
LIKE THAT.
WITHOUT BEING IN THE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE I WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN
ANYWHERE.
I WOULD BE SITTING IN MY TENT
DOING NOTHING LIKE I DID FOR
THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS.
KNOWING THAT I AM SAFE AT
NIGHT, KNOWING THAT HAVE A
PLACE TO GO, KNOWING THE COPS
ARE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP AND
TAKE EVERYTHING I HAVE IS SUCH
A HUGE RELIEF.
IT IS CRAZY.
IT IS JUST, IT GIVES YOU PEACE
OF MIND THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE
EXPERIENCED IT YOU DON'T REALLY
UNDERSTAND IT.
IT MEANT A LOT TO ME.
WE NEED MORE OF THESE VILLAGES
IN THE CITY, I HAVE SEEN SO
MANY PEOPLE DIE, THREE FRIENDS
OF MINE, THREE CLOSE PEOPLE IN
THE TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE
HAVE DIED OUT ON THE STREETS.
FOR NO REASON.
NO REASON AT ALL.
IT NEEDS TO STOP.
WE NEED HELP.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DO WE HAVE [ CALLING NAMES ]
I THINK YOU ARE NEXT.
THE OTHER TWO PEOPLE ARE NOT
HERE I DON'T THINK.
>> HELLO MY NAME IS CALVIN
JONES I AM A RENTER FROM
DISTRICT 3. BEFORE HE CAME HERE
I KNOW I WAS IN SUPPORT OF TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES AND I READ A
QUICK ARTICLE BUT I WANT TO SAY
I HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY MOVED BY
EVERYONE'S TESTIMONY AND I WISH
THE WHOLE CITY COULD WATCH WHAT
HAS BEEN SAID.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WOULD LOVE
TO SHARE A MEAL WITH MY
NEIGHBORS, THE RICHEST SOCIETY
TO EXIST HAS THE CAPACITY TO
PROVIDE SHELTER FOR EVERYONE
WHO NEEDS IT AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I CANNOT READ THE NEXT NAME.
DOES THAT SOUND LIKE YOUR NAME?
LET ME CALL THE NEXT NAMES AND
IF YOU HAVE WRITTEN YOUR NAME
AND I DID NOT CALL YOU THEN JOIN
AT THE.
THE LAST THREE NAMES THAT ARE
SIGNED UP ARE [ CALLING NAMES ]
>> I DON'T THINK I CAN DO IT.
I AM SO MOVED BY WHAT I HAVE
HEARD.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> HELLO. I AM A MEMBER OF
PUGET SOUND ADVOCATES FOR TIRE
ACTION AND I ALSO WORK, USED TO
WORK ON A SUICIDE HELPLINE.
ALL THE WORDS THAT I HEAR TODAY
FROM THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE
RECOVERED ARE ALL THE WORDS
THAT I HAVE HEARD OF THINGS
THAT GIVE PEOPLE THE REASON TO
GO ON LIVING.
HOPE, COMMUNITY, UNDERSTANDING,
SUPPORT, HELP, AND WHY YOU
WOULD NOT CONTINUE WITH THAT IN
THESE TINY HOUSES MAKES NO
SENSE TO ME AT ALL.
IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT IT
WORKS AND WE MUST CONTINUE.
I LIVE NEAR LINKEDIN SPRINGS
WHICH HAS SINCE CLOSED DOWN AND
NOW I HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME
INTO MY CARPORT TO SLEEP, THEY
USE MY ELECTRICITY, THEY USE
THE WASHROOM, I HAVE NO PROBLEM
WITH THAT.
THESE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE BUT
IF THEY HAD A PLACE TO GO IT
WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY FOR THEM
TO DO THESE THINGS SO YOU'VE
GOT TO KEEP THOSE TINY HOUSES
GOING.
IT IS IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU.
>> IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO
SPEAK BUT YOU DID NOT SIGN UP
OR DID NOT CALL YOUR NAME FEEL
FREE TO LINE UP HERE.
SURE, YOU CAN TESTIFY.
YOU CAN TESTIFY AFTER.
YES THAT'S FINE.
DON'T WORRY.
JUST SPEAK AFTERWARD.>> GOOD
EVENING COUNCILMEMBER I AM GLAD
YOU ARE HERE AND TO THE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT ARE NOT
HERE TONIGHT I HOPE YOU'RE
LISTENING I AM THE REVEREND
ANGELA SENIOR PASTOR OF UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST AND I WANT TO
SHARE WITH EVERYONE IN THE ROOM
YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER AND
WHAT DO WE NEED NOW?
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?
NOW.
WHAT DO WE NEED?
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?
WHAT DO WE WANT?
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?
NOW.
>> I AM USED TO THE CONGREGATION
SO THIS IS GOOD.
WE DO HAVE 43 MUSLIM, BUDDHIST,
JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN AND OTHER
FAITH LEADERS WHO HAVE SIGNED A
LETTER AND SENT IT TO THE MAYOR
AND TO THE CITY COUNCIL ASKING
FOR MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
LED BY THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT SO LET'S HEAR IT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THERE WILL BE 1000 PLUS MORE
FAITH LEADERS WHEN THEY FIND
OUT THEY NEED TO BE ON THE LIST
FOR MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
191 PEOPLE DIED LAST YEAR AND
THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, OVER
5000 PEOPLE ARE ON THE STREETS
EVERY NIGHT UNDER THE BRIDGES
AND THAT IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE.
I LIVE, I BELIEVE I LIVE BY THE
FAITH OF LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF.
BASICALLY EVERY PERSON ON THE
STREET IS OUR NEIGHBOR SO IT IS
TIME THAT WE FIND A WAY IN THE
CITY THAT THEY CAN BE IN A
HOUSE UNDER SHELTER WITH
HEALTHCARE AND WITH RENT
CONTROL BECAUSE THIS IS
SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN THIS
CITY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] WE FOUND OUT
FROM THE CITY AND FROM LEHIGH
OVER 500 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO TRANSITION FROM A TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.
OKAY?
WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY NEED MORE
DATA THE KEY PART IS WE DON'T
NEED MORE DATA, WE NEED PEOPLE
OFF THE STREETS.
THIS CITY IS FOR THE PEOPLE BY
THE PEOPLE AMONG THE PEOPLE AND
WE WANT NO ONE DYING IN THE CITY
AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE ON THE
STREETS SO HERE'S THE THING WE
NEED A BUDGET FROM THE CITY OF
SEATTLE THAT THEY WILL PASS
MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES, THEY
WILL FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR RENT
CONTROL SO WE WILL NOT HAVE
MORE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS, WE
WILL HAVE LESS PEOPLE ON THE
STREETS IF NOT ANYONE ON THE
STREETS TONIGHT TOMORROW OR THE
DAY AFTER.
THIS IS IMPORTANT, PEOPLE ARE
DYING IN THIS EXTREMELY WEALTHY
CITY.
WE CAN DO THIS.
WE AS PEOPLE AROUND THE CITY
AND KING COUNTY, THE MARTIN
LUTHER KING COUNTY CAN DO THIS.
SO TONIGHT, THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT FOR
BASICALLY TAKING BACK THE CITY
TO SAY HEY, WE CAN BASICALLY DO
THIS FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES,
FOR ALL THE PEOPLE BECAUSE IF
THEY ARE IN A HOME WITH DIGNITY
AND LOVE AND THEY CAN BRING UP
THEIR CHILDREN IN A SAFE PLACE
BECAUSE A LOT OF SHELTERS IT IS
NOT AVAILABLE FOR SOME YOUNG
GIRLS IT DOES NOT WORK SO WE
CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
FOR EACH HOUSE ONLY $2700 COME
ON SERIOUSLY.
WHAT A BETTER WAY TO SPEND OUR
MONEY.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> HELLO I JUST WANTED TO TALK
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TINY
HOMES.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS FOR
SEVERAL YEARS AND I LIVED IN
TACOMA AND SOMEBODY BROUGHT ME
TO SEATTLE AND HONESTLY I NEVER
THOUGHT I WOULD GET ANY KIND OF
HOUSING BECAUSE TACOMA THEY DID
NOT HELP ME OUT AT ALL.
EXCUSE ME I HAVE A SPEECH
IMPEDIMENT.
ANYWAY I WAS ON SECTION 8 FOR
YEARS AND I HAVE TO SAY YOU
GUYS CHANGED MY LIFE.
YOU REALLY DID.
I STRUGGLE WITH A LOT OF THINGS
LIKE ANGER AND HEALTH ISSUES AND
I EAT OUT OF GARBAGE CANS, I
USED TWO.
WHEN YOU GUYS BROUGHT ME IN I
DID NOT THINK, I DID NOT KNOW
WHAT TO THINK AND HONESTLY I
WENT OVER MY SPEECH OVER AND
OVER BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR MY
CASE MANAGERS, SPECIAL PROJECT
MANAGER, THE OPPORTUNITY THAT
THEY GIVE US.
I DON'T KNOW.
EVERYTHING.
YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME BECAUSE I
AM ALWAYS WANTING TO TALK AND
DO THIS AND AM SOMEBODY WANTS
TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT TINY
HOMES AND DO PROJECTS LIKE THEY
SAID SOMEBODY WHO HAD DEMENTIA
OR WHATEVER WE CAN START
ORGANIZATION WHERE WE DO IN-
HOME CARE WHERE YOU KNOW WE
JUST KIND OF TAKE CARE OF EACH
OTHER.
I WOULD HAVE TO TALK TO YOU
MORE OFF-CAMERA BECAUSE I HAVE
STAGE FRIGHT A LITTLE BIT.
>> YOU'RE DOING GREAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW I REALLY
APPRECIATE YOU GUYS AND I HOPE
IT CONTINUES TO PROGRESS AND I
AM SOMEBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO
WORK OFF HANDS AND DO COMMUNITY
WORK WITH THE WHOLE
ORGANIZATION IF I COULD.
SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE GOT TO
SAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> WE HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH
EVERYONE ELSE ON THE LIST?
OKAY HELLO.
I AM THANKFUL TO MY FRIEND WHO
INVITED ME TO COME HERE
TONIGHT.
WE ARE BOTH FROM THE SCHOOL OF
SOCIAL WORK.
I AM A SOCIAL WORK STUDENT AND
I AM ALSO A CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
COUNSELOR FOR THE YOUTH.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD BECAUSE I
FEEL LIKE IT GETS LEFT OUT ONE
OF THESE CONVERSATIONS
SOMETIMES AND NOT TO UNDERMINE
IN ANY WAY ANYTHING ANYONE HAS
SAID BUT I HAVE COME THROUGH
THE BIG-MONEY I HAVE BEEN
PAYING TO THE UNIVERSITY TO
READ SOME POWERFUL BOOKS THAT
POVERTY AND SCARCITY ARE
MANUFACTURED AND YOU KNOW I
HAVE DONE WORK IN MY PROFESSION
TO UNDO THE MORAL CONSTRUCTIONS
THAT ARE NORMAL IN OUR SOCIETY
OF ADDICTION AND I HAVE BEEN
DOING THE SAME FOR POVERTY BUT
I HAVE BEEN HEARING SO MANY
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT FIXING
SITUATIONS TO THE RIGHT
CONDITIONS AND HARD WORK.
I JUST WANTED TO VOICE THAT
SOME SYSTEMS ARE CONSTRUCTED TO
PRODUCE THESE RESULTS AND IT IS
NOT ANY SORT OF FAILURE OF
CHARACTER OR A HUMAN BEING BUT
PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES LIVING
ON THE STREET ESPECIALLY WHERE
WE ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC PROGRESS
THAT WE ARE SEEING WHAT WE ARE
SEEING.
>> YOU CAN SAY IT.
IT IS OKAY.
>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER
PIECES.
>> THE OVERARCHING SYSTEM
GENERATES THAT.
>> YES BUT THERE ARE SUBSYSTEMS
WITHIN THAT SYSTEM.
>> EXACTLY, YES.
>> OKAY THINK YOU.
>> ALSO THE SPEAKER BEFORE YOU
SHE WAS NOT SIGNED UP SO IF YOU
COULD FIND HER FOR THE RECORD
WE NEED A NAME.
IS ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK
WHO HAS NOT SIGNED UP BEFORE I
ADJOURN THE HEARING? OKAY,
NOBODY RAISING THEIR HAND,
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YET, DID
YOU WANT TO SPEAK?
>> I HOPE YOU ARE A VOICE OF
CHANGE FOR SEATTLE AND THEY
KEEP YOU ON THE COUNCIL AND
DON'T GO BACK. NOTHING REALLY
GETS DONE IN THE BUSINESS AS
USUAL COUNCIL SO I WISH YOU LUCK
WITH YOUR UPCOMING
REAPPOINTMENT TO COUNCIL.
I HOPE YOU GET IT.
>> PLEASE SIGN UP.
SORRY.
SORRY WE, YOU HAVE ALREADY
SPOKEN.
LET'S TALK OFF-LINE.
SOME OF YOU REALLY MIGHT WANT
TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION SO
PLEASE CONNECT WITH MY STAFF
MEMBERS AND WE CAN CONTINUE THE
CONVERSATION.
A FEW CLOSING ITEMS PLEASE DO
NOT LEAVE THIS SECOND, FIRST OF
ALL ON BEHALF OF MY WHOLE
OFFICE I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL
FOR THE TESTIMONIALS.
THEY WERE VERY VERY POWERFUL
AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
POWERFUL ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU
WHO HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED
OR ARE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND HAVE SHARED
YOUR STORIES.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LARGER
CAUSE BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT THE
EASIEST THING TO DO TO SHARE
YOUR PERSONAL STORIES
ESPECIALLY FROM THE TOUGHEST
MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE SO PLEASE
KNOW EVERY TIME YOU DO THAT YOU
STRENGTHEN THE COLLECTIVE
STRUGGLE AND MOVEMENTAND IT IS
VERY VALUED EVERY SINGLE TIME
YOU DO THAT.
I ALSO WEAKLY WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN HERE NOT
JUST TONIGHT BUT THROUGHOUT THE
YEARS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN
FIGHTING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
OF HOMELESSNESS, THE ADVISORY
COUNCIL, NICHOLASVILLE, LEHIGH
AND THE STUDENTS WORKING WITH
LEHIGH AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO
ARE EXPERIENCING THROUGH THEIR
OWN WORK HOW VALUABLE OF A
SERVICE THIS IS.
ALL OF THAT IS A BIG PART WHY
WE ARE DOING THIS.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S WISHES
TO ME AND THE THANKS YOU HAVE
GIVEN ME IN MY OFFICE BUT
PLEASE KNOW THE ONLY POWER WE
HAVE TO THE OFFICE IS THROUGH
THE COLLECTIVE ADVOCACY SO
EVERY TIME YOU THANK ME YOU ARE
THINKING YOURSELVES AND THE
COLLECTIVE WORK BECAUSE WITHOUT
THAT WE WOULD NOT BE HERE.
IN TERMS OF CONCRETE NEXT
STEPS, IMMEDIATELY TUESDAY IN
TERMS OF CONCRETE NEXT STEPS,
IMMEDIATELY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
AT 4:30 WE URGE YOU TO COME
PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND TODAY WAS A PUBLIC
HEARING BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
TUESDAY THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE A
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET AS
A WHOLE AND IT WILL BE ALL THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE HERE.
SO I REALLY URGE THOSE OF YOU
ADVOCATING FOR THE ORDINANCE TO
EXPAND THE ABILITY TO CITE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES THROUGHOUT THE
CITY AND ADVOCATING FOR THE
FUNDS PLEASE BECOME AN ADVOCATE
BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT
FUNDS THAT MAKES IT A BUDGET
ITEM SO WE NEED YOUR VOICES ON
THE 22nd, ARRIVE AROUND 4:30
AND THEN MY STAFF HAS PETITION
THAT YOU CAN TAKE TO YOUR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OTHER
RESIDENTS.
IF YOU'RE HOUSED, YOUR
NEIGHBORS AND COWORKERS.
PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALIZE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES ACTUALLY
WORK.
HERE WE HAVE A SOLUTION THAT
WORKS WHY WOULDN'T WE FUND IT?
IF YOU CAN TAKE SOME COPIES OF
THE PETITIONS FROM MY STAFF
ON TUESDAY OR EMAIL THEM OR D
TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOUR SMART
PHONE AND SEND IT TO US EITHER
WAY JUST MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE
PETITIONS BECAUSE THAT ALLOWS
US TO CONTINUE ADVOCACY.
FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCIL I'M
SURE THEY WILL BE WATCHING AND
THIS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT AND I
AM FULLY CONFIDENT WE WILL GET
THIS PAST BUT NOT WITHOUT YOUR
CONTINUING ADVOCACY SO WE NEED
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ON
TUESDAY AND GOING FORWARD IN
ORDER TO GET THE FUNDS THROUGH
THE BUDGET IN NOVEMBER AND SO
ON TUESDAY 4:30 PLEASE COME AND
I WANT TO THANK TED WHO READ
THE BILL TITLE WITH SUCH A
FLOURISH.
ALL OF WHOM ARE DEDICATED
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND HAVE
DONE A LOT OF WORK.
AND THE FAITH LEADERS, THANK
úYOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING TO THE
SOCIETY AT LARGE THIS IS A
MORAL QUESTION AND THERE CANNOT
BE NEUTRAL GROUND WE HAVE TO
FIGHT FOR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS
BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU,
IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYBODY.
THAT IS HOW BAD THE CRISIS IS,
I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE PERSON
WHO HAS NOT EXPERIENCED IT OR
KNOW SOMEBODY THAT HAS ENDED
THIS POINT WE KNOW MULTIPLE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IT
SO LET'S ADDRESS THIS CRISIS.
IT CAN BE PREVENTED BUT WE NEED
TO GENERATE THE POLITICAL WILL,
YOUR TESTIMONIALS ARE HUGE
REASON WHY WE WILL CREATE THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH I WILL
ADJOURN THE MEETING AND I HOPE
TO SEE YOU ON TUESDAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]