SIX THAT AFTERNOON, THE SELECT
COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY
CHANGES WILL COME TO ORDER. IT
IS TO: 04 ON MARCH 3rd, 2025.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE .
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE ?
>> PRESENT .
>> COUNCILMEMBER ROB SAKA .
>> HERE .
>> IF THERE IS NO EJECTION --
OBJECTION, THE HEARING WILL BE
ADOPTED. THE HEARING IS ADOPTED.
WELCOME TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE
ON FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND
POLICY CHANGES. I WANT TO
COMMENT THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
MOORE AND STRAUSS ARE ABSENT
TODAY. WE HAVE LIMITED TIME
TODAY IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUT
REST ASSURED THIS WILL NOT BE
OUR FINAL DISCUSSION AS WE
CONTINUE THIS MOVING FORWARD. ON
TODAY'S AGENDA WE WILL BE
HEARING FROM HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE
STAKEHOLDERS WITH HOW THEY ARE
IMPACTED WITH POLICY CHANGES
THAT I FEAR WILL IMPACT THE CITY
AND REGION'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS
THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. WE WILL
HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE
MOST PRESSING NEEDS ABOUT WHAT
IS FACING OUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. SINCE THE COMMITTEE
MET LAST MONTH THE DEPORTATION
AGENDA HAS ONLY RAMPS UP AND AS
RESULT WE ARE SEEING MORE NEED
FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
ORGANIZATIONS. URGENT NEEDS
INCLUDE LEGAL SERVICES OF
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS WHO HAVE
BEEN DETAINED FOR IMMIGRATION
PROCEEDINGS . WE KNOW AT LEAST
TWO FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES
SUPPORTING THESE CHILDREN HAVE
BEEN CUT. THE UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN PROGRAM AND THE U.S.
CIS CITIZENSHIP GRANT. KIDS IN
NEED OF DEFENSE ALSO KNOWN AS
KIND AND THE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
PROJECT WHO WILL PRESENT TO US
LATER. AND THEY WILL BE DIRECTLY
IMPACTED BY THE CUT TO THE
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PROGRAM.
COMBINED, THESE ORGANIZATIONS
HAVE 200 UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH
WITH IMMIGRATION SUPPORT. THE
U.S. CIS CITIZENSHIP FUNDING WAS
CUT FROM THE IMMIGRATION AND
REFERRAL SERVICES AND THE
IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE. SERVICES
INCLUDED CRITICAL WORK FOR THESE
KIDS INCLUDING LEGAL
REPRESENTATION , CASE MANAGEMENT
AND SUPPORT FOR PREPARING AND
APPLYING FOR THE U.S.
CITIZENSHIP TEST. THESE ARE
SEATTLE KIDS. I KNOW I'M NOT
THE ONLY ONE WHOSE HEART BREAKS
AT THE THOUGHT OF A SIX-YEAR-OLD
MEETING BEFORE A JUDGE WITH
IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS BY
THEMSELVES. WE KNOW THAT WE WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE UP EVERY
FINANCIAL GAP, BUT WE MUST DO
OUR BEST TO DO RIGHT BY THEM.
ADDITIONALLY , I WANT TO TAKE A
MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT JUST
YESTERDAY NEARLY 40 PEOPLE THAT
WORKED FOR A CONSTRUCTION
ROOFING COMPANY WERE DETAINED IN
BELLINGHAM AFTER LAST WEEK 'S
DETENTION OF FARMWORKERS IN
LINDEN INCLUDING A 25-YEAR-OLD
ACTIVIST ALFREDO JUAREZ AS WELL
AS LLEWELLYN DIXON WHO ARE
SEEMINGLY UNCONSTITUTIONALLY
DETAINED AT THE DETENTION CENTER
IN TACOMA PEERED I MENTIONED
THAT THIS IS NOT JUST CRUEL AND
POSSIBLE RETALIATORY ACTION FOR
ACTIVISM BUT SHOWS HOW OUR
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS TIED TO
EVER SECTOR INCLUDING FOOD,
HOUSING AND BUSINESS JUST TO
NAME A FEW. WE WILL HEAR FROM
SEVERAL INCREDIBLE HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS SERVICE PROVIDERS
ABOUT HOW THE IMMIGRATION RULES
ARE IMPACTING THEIR WORK. I WANT
TO DRAW ATTENTION TO A FEW
ACTIONS THAT HAVE CAUGHT THE
ATTENTION OF MY OFFICE.
YESTERDAY THE TRUMPET
MINISTRATION ANNOUNCE ONCE AGAIN
A VAST SWATH OF NEW TARIFFS. THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
HOMEBUILDERS ANNOUNCE THAT THE
TARIFFS ON HOMEBUILDERS
INCLUDING FOREIGN LUMBER, STEEL
, HOME ELECTRONICS AND OTHER
CONSTRUCTION COSTS WILL INCREASE
THE PRICE OF HOMES FROM
$7500-$10,000 OR THE NUMBER WILL
BE LARGER IN METROPOLITAN AREAS
SUCH AS SEATTLE . YOUNG PEOPLE
CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY HOMES AT
THE SAME RATE AS PARENTS AND
GRANDPARENTS AND THIS IS A
SETBACK TO MY GENERATION AND THE
NEXT GENERATION'S PART OF THE
AMERICAN DREAM. FROM THE HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, IN
ADDITION TO STATING THEY WOULD
BE REDUCING THEIR WORKFORCE BY
50% WHICH IS IMPACT VM --
OFFICE'S ABILITY TO ENFORCE THE
VOUCHER PROGRAM AND HOUSING
LAWS. THEY HAVE ANNOUNCE CUTS TO
THE GREEN AND RETROFIT PROGRAM.
IN CONTEXT, TURNING THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION THEY ADMINISTERED
25 BILLION TO APPROXIMATELY 12
MILLION COMMUNITIES AND
ALLOCATED MORE THAN $100 MILLION
IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO 2100
PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES ACROSS
OUR NATION . CUTS TO SECTION 4
ARE FELT LOCALLY AND I KNOW OUR
PANELISTS INCLUDING ENTERPRISE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND THE
SEATTLE PLAN WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY
IN OUR MEETING . AND THE REGION
10 OFFICE FOR THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES , AN OFFICE LOCATED IN
OUR OWN COLUMBIA TOWER IN
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE HAS CLOSED
THEIR DOORS WITH 200 STAFF
MEMBERS FIRED . SIMPLY PUT, THE
SOLUTIONS TO OUR CHALLENGES HAVE
NEVER BEEN SIMPLE AND THEY HAVE
GROWN MORE COMPLEX WITH EVERY
PASSING DAY. IT WILL TAKE ALL OF
US , EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY,
EVERY COMMUNITY LEADER , EVERY
RESIDENCE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
TO WORK TOGETHER TO CARVE A PATH
FORWARD TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND
CREATE A FUTURE WE ALL WANT TO
LIVE IN . THIS COMMUNITY IS JUST
A PART OF THAT WORK. I WANT TO
THANK EVERYONE AGAIN FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION TODAY AND FOR
EVERYONE LISTENING IN. WITH
THAT, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC
HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
AGENDA ITEMS WITHIN THE PURVIEW
OF THIS COMMITTEE. CLERK, HOW
MANY PERSONS ARE SIGNED UP TO
SPEAK .
>> CURRENTLY THREE IN-PERSON
SPEAKERS AND ONE REMOTE SPEAKER
.
>> EACH PERSON WILL HAVE TWO
MINUTES AND WE WILL START WITH
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS FIRST. CLERK,
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER. IT IS 30
MINUTES AND SPEAKERS WILL BE
CALLED IN THE ORDER THEY HAVE
REGISTERED. SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A
CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT
OF THE TIME. SPEAKER MICROPHONES
WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT
END. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN AND WE BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST .
>> THANK YOU. THE FIRST IN
PERSON SPEAKER IS ALEX
TSIMERMAN.
>> THE DIRTY NANCY FASTEST PIG .
I AM ALEX TSIMERMAN . I HAVE
6000 DAYS OF TRESPASS AND FIVE
TIMES YOU PERSECUTE ME. GUYS, 20
YEARS AGO WHEN I COME, I BRING
SLOGAN WITH FASCISTS FOR THE
JEWISH FAITH. YOU WERE BEFORE AN
IDIOT AND YOU ARE NOW AN IDIOT
AND THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BIG
CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS NOT
DIFFERENT FROM TODAY THE 700
THOUSAND PEOPLE . IT IS A VERY
IMPORTANT POINT . I WANT TO BE A
MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE. I
BRING CLASS ACTION IN 1996. AND
AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICE. I AM AN EXPERT WITH 40
YEARS IN THIS BUSINESS EVERY DAY
. I WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS
COMMITTEE EVERY DAY. YOU CANNOT
BE A MEMBER . YOU WILL BE AN
IDIOT HERE. YOU WILL BE A
COMMITTEE IDIOT AND IT'S VERY
IMPORTANT. I WANT TO EXPLAIN
LAST WEEK WITH THE EXECUTIVE
ORDER, EVERY GOVERNMENT HOUSE
SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO ONLY U.S.
CITIZEN. NO GREEN CARD AND RIGHT
NOW WE NEED FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
.
>> YOU ARE DOING THIS NOW .
>> VIVA TRUMP AND VIVA THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION. STAND UP
FREAKING IDIOT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
HALLIE WILLIS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCILMEMBERS
. MY NAME IS HALLIE WILLIS AND I
AM THE POLICY MEMBER FOR THE
SEATTLE KING COUNTY COMMISSION
ON HOMELESSNESS. I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR
CONVENING THIS BODY. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE
IMPACTS OF FEDERAL POLICY
CHANGES AND TO MAKE A PLAN TO
TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY
BEFORE THE WORST COMES TO PASS .
TODAY, YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT HOW
FEDERAL CUTS AND RACIST POLITY
CHANGES WILL THREATEN OUR
ABILITY TO HOUSE AND SHELTER
PEOPLE WITHIN THE CITY. FRANKLY,
LOSING FUNDING WOULD CAUSE
THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME
HOMELESS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE
UNDERSTAND THAT YOU AND THE
MAYOR MUST ADDRESS A DEEPENING
BUDGET DEFICIT. ON TOP OF THAT,
THE BUDGET WILL INCLUDE CUTS TO
IMPORTANT SERVICES AND THE
TRUMP/MUSK ADMINISTRATION IS
TAKING A SLEDGEHAMMER TO OUR
FEDERAL RESPONSE TO HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS . NO ONE IS COMING
TO SAVE US . WE NEED U.S. LOCAL
LAWMAKERS TO DO EVERYTHING IN
YOUR POWER TO PROTECT ALL
SEATTLE RESIDENTS FROM WHAT IS
COMING. SUSTAIN OUR SHELTER AND
HOUSING . PREVENT TENANTS FROM
BEING EVICTED INTO HOMELESSNESS
AND RAISE THE NECESSARY LOCAL
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE TO DO SO .
WE CANNOT ACCEPT INCREASED
HOMELESSNESS THAT WOULD RESULT
FROM FEDERAL CUTS AND WE CANNOT
EXPECT ANYONE ELSE TO COME TO
OUR RESCUE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU . OUR LAST IN
PERSON COMMENTOR WILL BE KATE
RUBEN.
>> HI , MY NAME IS KATE RUBEN
AND I AM A RENTER LIVING IN
BEACON HILL AND I AM THE
CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF B
SEATTLE WHICH HELPS RENTERS STAY
HOUSTON FEEL EMPOWERED AND THEIR
HOUSING . WE ARE DEEPLY
CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME
FROM THIS CHANGE IN
ADMINISTRATION. AND , WE ARE
ALREADY SEEING THE IMPACTS IN
OTHER STATES AND LOCALLY.
SPECIFICALLY , ON TRANSGENDER
PEOPLE AND ON PEOPLE SEEKING
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE . THEY
WILL BE COMING HERE BECAUSE WE
HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ACTION TO
ENSURE THAT SEATTLE IS SAFE FOR
THEM . SO, IT IS UPON US TO
ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT SEATTLE
IS SAFE FOR THEM . WE HAVE HEARD
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT POTENTIALLY
WEAKENING OR REPEALING SOME
RENTAL PROTECTIONS .
SPECIFICALLY THE ROOMMATE
ORDINANCE . THIS IS AN ORDINANCE
THAT IS GOING TO BE SO IMPORTANT
AS THESE CHANGES HAPPEN . NOT
JUST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
STAYING HERE BUT FOR THE PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR JOBS . FOR THE
PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO STAY
IN THEIR APARTMENTS ALONE AND
FOR PARENTS WHO WANT TO WELCOME
THEIR ADULT CHILDREN BACK INTO
THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT
LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. OFTEN WHEN
PEOPLE COME HERE OR HAVE A MAJOR
LIFE CHANGE , THEY DON'T HAVE
THE AMOUNT OF SECURITY AND
STABILITY TO GET THEIR OWN
APARTMENT. SO, WE HAVE TO CREATE
A SPACE FOR THEM . AND, WE'VE
BEEN DOING THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY
AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO
HELP PEOPLE. IT IS A MAJOR,
MAJOR PROTECTION THAT WOULD BE
SO DAMAGING AND CAUSED SO MUCH
HOMELESSNESS IF IT WERE
REPEALED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. AND NOW MOVING TO
OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS. THE FIRST
REMOTE SPEAKER IS DAVID HAYNES .
DAVID, PLEASE PRESS STAR AND SIX
WHEN YOU HEAR THE PROMPT AND YOU
HAVE BEEN UNMUTED.
>> HI, THANK YOU. DAVID HAYNES .
REMEMBER THE $50 BILLION OF THE
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY THAT
COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE BEEN
USED TO LEAVE THE HOMELESS
CRISIS. THAT CONGRESSMAN
McCARTHY TOOK IT BACK FOR THE
AMERICAN TAXPAYER. WE NEED THAT
TO RESCUE PEOPLE WHO ARE
SUFFERING UNNECESSARY DELAYS AND
BAD PRIORITY. IF I WAS CITY
COUNCIL STAFF, THERE IS MORE
PRIORITY TO COVER THE DEBT
NEEDED BY CONVINCING THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
THAT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COULD
BE INVESTED TO SOLVE THE
HOMELESS CRISIS , THE HOUSING
CRISIS AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY
CRISIS FOR THE INNOCENT. THAT
WOULD INCLUDE INNOCENT MIGRANTS
AND THEIR FAMILIES. YET ,
PROGRESSIVES WANT TO MISCONSTRUE
WHAT CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL. AND
, AND ILLEGAL AND SCARE MONGER .
AND COUNCIL WANTS TO EXACERBATE
AND SPEW THE NEGATIVE THAT
REALITY DURING AN ELECTION YEAR
WASTING SO MUCH COMMITTEE TIME
AND MONEY TRYING TO FIND WAYS
HATE ON THE PRESIDENT INSTEAD OF
CONVINCING HIM THAT BECAUSE OF
ALL OF THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
THAT HE IS GOING TO BE RAKING IN
FROM TARIFFS THAT IT IS TIME TO
SOLVE OUR SOCIETAL PROBLEMS
CAUSED BY THE SAME PROGRESSIVE
DEMOCRATS AND THE IMMORAL
FINANCIAL SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN
DEREGULATED. TO UNCONSTITUTIONAL
LY PRIORITIZE REPEAT OFFENDERS
FOR HOUSING. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT
NEED TO BE KICKED OUT OR THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NEEDS TO
INVESTIGATE THEM. WITH COPYCAT
DEBT FROM BALTIMORE AND
ELSEWHERE . THEY ARE
PRIORITIZING SERVICES FOR LIKE
-- REPEAT OFFENDERS INSTEAD OF
INNOCENT HOMELESS . THEY ARE
EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM. ANYWAY
, OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING
MISUSED AND YOU COULD GET A LOT
OF MONEY TO ALLEVIATE THE
UNNECESSARY SUFFERING BUT YOU
WANT TO DRIVE TO THE BOTTOM OF
THE BARREL THINK TANK
>> THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
REGISTERED SPEAKERS AND WE WILL
NOW PROCEED TO THE ITEMS FOR
BUSINESS. WE NOW MOVE TO THE
FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS . WITH
THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM ONE
INTO THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 1 , FEDERAL IMPACT ON
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
RESPONSE. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
.
>> I WILL INVITE OUR PRESENTERS
TODAY UP TO THE TABLE TO JOIN US
.
>> SO, AS OUR PRESENTERS ARE
COMING ON BOARD, THEY WILL
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES . WE WILL
GIVE THEM A COUPLE OF MOMENTS.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY. WE WANT TO START OFF
GOING DOWN THE LINE . IF YOU
COULD PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF
BY STATING YOUR FULL NAME AND
ORGANIZATION INTO THE RECORD.
LET'S START WITH DANNY .
>> HI COUNCILMEMBERS AND THANK
YOU FOR HAVING THIS PANEL TODAY.
I AM DANIEL MALONE, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF DESC .
>> I AM JAMES LOVELL THE CHIEF
DIRECTOR OF SEATTLE CLUB .
>> I AM JUST BLANCHE WITH
ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS .
>> I AM NAOMI SEE AND I AM WITH
HUNT CAPITAL PARTNERS.
>> AND I AM SYME OR -- SIMON
FOSTER AND I AM THE CEO OF KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND
WE WILL GO ORGANIZATION BY
ORGANIZATION STARTING WITH ONE
OF OUR PARTNERS, THE KING COUNTY
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY . I
UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SLIDES
TODAY.
>> AGAIN, GOOD AFTERNOON
EVERYONE . IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO
BE IN FRONT OF YOU ALL TODAY AND
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING
US TOGETHER TO SHARE WITH THE
PUBLIC. I AM GOING TO BE GOING
OVER A FEW THINGS THIS
AFTERNOON. ONE IS TO MAKE SURE
THAT KCRHA SHARES ITS FEDERAL
BUDGET AND TO SHARE THE IMPACT
TO ENSURE THESE DOLLARS REMAIN
HERE. AS YOU ALL CAN SEE, THE
COC OR HUD DOLLARS , WE ARE THE
THIRD LARGEST FUNDING SOURCE FOR
THE KING COUNTY HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY. KCRHA RECEIVES FROM
HUD $23 MILLION . THESE ARE
EXTREMELY CRITICAL DOLLARS . I
WANT TO BE CLEAR $23 MILLION
DIRECTLY TO KCRHA AND $36
MILLION DIRECTLY TO KING COUNTY
WHICH IS A TOTAL OF $66 MILLION
OF WHICH 5 MILLION -- EXCUSE ME,
$7 MILLION GOES DIRECTLY TO
CONTRACTORS . THAT INCLUDES
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
SUCH AS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES , THE DOWNTOWN
EMERGENCY SERVICES CENTER OR
DESC OR THE FRIENDS OF YOUTH.
HERE IS THE REALITY. THE LARGEST
PROGRAM IS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING. THOSE ARE MOSTLY
INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT MAINTAIN
HOUSING WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. HUD
ALSO PROVIDES A GRANT AGREEMENT
WITH A PROGRAM CONTRACT THAT IS
UP FOR RENEWAL. SO, CONTRACTING
HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
KCRHA IS ACTIVELY REIMBURSING
CONTRACT PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW AND
WE ARE ACTIVELY ABLE TO DRAW
DOWN ON FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL
SYSTEM. THE BIGGER CONCERN ARE
THE FISCAL YEAR '24 CONTRACTS.
THE FIRST FISCAL '24 CONTRACT
RENEWAL COMES DUE IN MAY . WE
HAVE RECEIVED THAT AGREEMENT AND
IT IS BEING REVIEWED BY OUR
CANCEL. IT'S THE ONLY GROUND
AGREEMENT WE HAVE RECEIVED THUS
FAR . WE WILL RECEIVE A TOTAL OF
23 AGREEMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND
2026.
>> I'M GOING TO MOVE TO THE
NEXT SLIDE HERE AND TALK A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT IMPACT. I'M
GOING TO SHARE SOME NUMBERS WITH
YOU ALL AS WELL. WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT A TOTAL NUMBER OF
INDIVIDUALS OF 4490 PEOPLE .
THIS INCLUDES ABOUT 45% OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT BE
IMPACTED . OVER 2000 PEOPLE
RESIDE HERE IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. OF THE 4490 PEOPLE ,
2174 INDIVIDUALS ARE IN PRIVATE
MARKET UNITS WHICH COULD BE AT
RISK OF INCURRING LATE FEES BY
THEIR LANDLORD, A LOSS OF
SUBSIDIES OR -- AND/OR EVICTION.
2216 INDIVIDUALS ARE IN HOUSING
AND YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE AT RISK
OF FINDING THEMSELVES HOMELESS.
AND , AS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS MY
FRIENDS TO MY RIGHT AND THE
FOLKS WHO ARE ONLINE, THERE ARE
A NUMBER OF CONTRACT FEES, FOLKS
WHO ARE FRONT-LINE , WHO WILL BE
IMPACTED AS WELL . 241 EMPLOYEES
ARE AT RISK IF WE LOSE THESE
DOLLARS. WE KNOW THAT THESE
INDIVIDUALS ARE ON THE FRONT
LINES EVERY DAY . THEY COME FROM
LIVED EXPERIENCE SOMETIMES
AND/OR THE VULNERABLE WORKING
POPULATION . SO THE KING COUNTY
REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY
AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE WITH
KING COUNTY LOOK FORWARD TO WORK
TOGETHER TO ENSURE WE MAXIMIZE
OUR EFFORTS . HERE IS WHAT KCRHA
IS DOING RIGHT NOW . NUMBER ONE
WE ARE MAXIMIZING FEDERAL
FUNDING THROUGH WEEKLY DRAWDOWNS
OF FUNDS THROUGH EXPANDED COSTS.
AND TWO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO
WORK WITH KING COUNTY TO
MAXIMIZE THE USE OF EXISTING
FUNDING EFFECTIVELY. FINALLY ,
WE ARE GOING TO WORK CLOSE WITH
OUR LOCAL HUD OFFICE AS WE DO
BIMONTHLY . I JUST WANT TO
FINALLY END WITH THIS . WE HAVE
A GREAT STAFF . WE HAVE
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHO FIND
THEMSELVES WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY, MANY IN KING COUNTY,
WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP
THEM AS THEY ARE TODAY. SO, I
WILL END WITH THIS . THESE
FUNDING DELAYS OR REDUCTIONS
COULD PREVENT STATES AND
COMMUNITIES , NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS AND HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM
RECEIVING THE CRITICAL RESOURCES
NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF
SHELTERED AND UN-SHELTERED
HOMELESSNESS. AND AS I MENTIONED
BEFORE , KCRHA WILL CONTINUE TO
BE A GUIDING LIGHT . TO BE A
PARTNER AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS
VULNERABLE POPULATION. WE ARE
COMMITTED TO CONTINUE OUR
PARTNERSHIP WITH KING COUNTY,
WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND
WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THANK YOU
SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE. COLLEAGUES, DO WE HAVE
QUESTIONS. AND I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ROLE ON THE
KCRHA COMMITTEE. IS THERE
ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD ?
>> NO, NOTHING AT THIS POINT,
THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU TO YOUR SERVICE TO
THE GOVERNING COMMITTEE. I AM
HAPPY COLLEAGUES TO ALLOW TIME
RIGHT NOW FOR QUESTIONS OR WE
CAN DO QUESTIONS IS A FULL
PACKAGE ONCE ALL PRESENTERS HAVE
GONE.
>> SIR . SIR THINKING WE WILL
CONTINUE ON WITH THE
PRESENTATIONS AND WE WILL HAVE A
TIME FOR QUESTIONS ONCE ALL
PRESENTERS ARE DONE. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS NAOMI, AS I
MENTIONED WITH HUNT CAPITAL
PARTNERS. HUNT CAPITAL PARTNERS
IS PRIMARILY A LOW INCOME
HOUSING INDICATOR. THIS YEAR WE
WILL DO ABOUT $1 BILLION IN
TRANSACTION VOLUME FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE
COUNTRY. WE ALSO DO
REDEVELOPMENT AND SOP . A LOT OF
EXPERIENCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
AND JUST DOING DIFFERENT
STRATEGIES FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND GETTING IT FINANCED.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE
THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND A
LOT OF WAYS EXIST OUTSIDE OF THE
MARKET BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO
GET IT IN THE MARKET . I WILL
TALK ABOUT MARKET FORCES TODAY
AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL
TALK MORE THROUGH THE INTERVAL
-- INDIVIDUAL IMPACTS ON THEIR
ORGANIZATION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
NOTE THAT MORE THAN ANYONE
POLICY, IT'S ABOUT UNCERTAINTY
IN THE MARKET AND HOW THAT
TRANSLATES TO TERMS. I ALWAYS
LIKE TO DROVE -- JOKE WHEN IT'S
TRUE AND I'M SURE WE HAVE
EXPERIENCED IT, THE WORST THING
YOU CAN TELL A BANKER IS WE
DON'T KNOW. WE HAVE BEEN SAYING
THAT A LOT WITH DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES AND IN DIFFERENT
PROJECTS RIGHT NOW . THE FIRST
THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS
TAX CREDITS, LOW INCOME TAX
CREDITS. IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR
WITH TAX CREDITS, THEY ARE
BASICALLY IN EVERY SINGLE
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PROJECT THERE
IS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND
NATIONALLY. THERE ARE LOW INCOME
TAX CREDITS THAT USUALLY MAKE UP
40% TO 70% OF THE CAPITAL STACK
OR THE OVERALL CAPITALIZATION OF
A HOUSING PROJECT . THE WAY THEY
COME DOWN, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES THE CREDITS
TO THE STATES AND THE STATES TO
THE DEVELOPERS AND THE
DEVELOPERS COME AND MY ROLE IS
TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH AN
INVESTOR IN THE INVESTOR BASIC
OFFERS A PRICE PER CREDIT AT A
DISCOUNTED RATE FOR A DOLLAR TO
DOLLAR REDUCTION ON TAX CREDITS
THEY RECEIVE OVER 10 YEARS . I
KNOW THIS SEEMS INCREDIBLY
BORING, BUT IT IS HOW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING GETS FINANCED IN THE
U.S. AND THE MAJORITY OF IT FROM
THE BOARD OF HOUSING UP TO ABOUT
80% AMI . SO, THESE INVESTORS,
AS I MENTIONED PAY A DISCOUNTED
RATE FOR THESE TAX CREDITS. IF
THERE ARE $10 MILLION OF CREDITS
ALLOCATED TO THE PROPERTY FOR A
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR REDUCTION, AN
INVESTOR MAY PAY $.90 ON THOSE
CREDITS. AS A RESULT IT COMES TO
THE PROJECT AT A NATIONAL
CAPITALIZATION FOR THOSE TAX
CREDITS. THIS IS IMPORTANT
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE PRICING
FOR THE TAX CREDITS BECAUSE OF
FEDERAL POLICIES AND A LOT OF
THE UNCERTAINTY IS DROPPING
DRAMATICALLY. WHAT I MEAN BY
DRAMATICALLY AS $.10-$.15 ON THE
DOLLAR. YEARS AGO WE WERE
GETTING UP TO 95 CENTS ON THE
DOLLAR FOR TAX CREDITS IN
SEATTLE IN KING COUNTY . ON THE
LOWER TIER WE WOULD SEE
$.75-$.80. SOME PROJECTS WILL
HIT DIFFERENT VEINS OF PRICING
BUT WE ARE SEEING A DRAMATIC
DROP IN THE AVERAGE PRICING
WHICH MEANS THAT OUR GAP FUNDERS
HAVE TO PARTICIPATE LIKE THE
CITY AND THE STATE AND OTHER
SOURCES HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN A
LOT DEEPER AND A LOT HIGHER PER
UNIT SUBSIDY. A COUPLE OF THINGS
THAT ARE CAUSING THAT . THE
FIRST IS THE CORPORATE TAX RATE
. THE ANTICIPATION OF THE
CORPORATE TAX RATE GOING DOWN .
WE HAVE MOSTLY HEARD THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION TALK ABOUT
PERSONAL TAX RATES AND HOW THOSE
WILL BE IMPACTED. BUT ANY VAGUE
DISCUSSION ABOUT CORPORATE TAX
RATES ULTIMATELY IMPACTS THE
RETURN INVESTORS WILL RECEIVE
FOR TAX CREDITS AND THEY WILL
INCREASE THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR
RETURN BECAUSE IT'S BASED ON A
21% CORPORATE TAX RATE. IF IT
GOES TO 17%, WE WOULD SEE PRICES
DROP DRAMATICALLY BY ANOTHER
$.10 AND WE ARE ALREADY HAVING
INVESTORS ANTICIPATE THAT . THE
OTHER THING THAT IMPACTS THE
INITIAL CAPITALIZATION IS
UNDERWRITING STATEMENTS . EVEN
IN AN UNCERTAIN MARKET, AN
INVESTOR MIGHT SAY YOU NEED TO
INCREASE YOUR CAPITALIZED
OPERATING RESERVE BY ANOTHER $1
MILLION . YOU HAVE TO CREATE A
RENTAL SUBSIDY RESERVE AND AS
WELL YOU HAVE TO INCREASE YOUR
GUARANTEES AND YOUR COST
CONTINGENCY. EVERYTHING ADDS TO
THE UPFRONT COST OF THE PROJECT
WHICH MAKES IT HARD FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS TO
WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT TO
DEVELOP THESE HOUSING PROJECTS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY USE
ASSUMPTIONS AND SOFT LOAN --
SOFT LOAN EXPECTATIONS BASED ON
PRICING AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO
KNOW. BEFORE I KEEP GOING WITH
TAX CREDITS, I'M HAPPY TO TAKE
QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT IS A
NUANCED ISSUE. THE OTHER MARKET
FORCES THAT I MENTIONED ARE
TARIFFS AND THE COST OF
MATERIALS. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW,
THE TWO BIGGEST FACTORS IN THE
TERRACE WITH HOUSING PRODUCTION
IS THAT 72% OF IMPORTED LUMBER
COMES FROM CANADA AND 74% OF
IMPORTED GYPSUM COMES FROM
MEXICO. SO ANY TARIFFS ON THOSE
TWO COUNTRIES , EVEN THOUGH WE
HAVE SEEN BACK AND FORTH AND ANY
UNCERTAINTY ON THOSE MATERIALS
WILL CERTAINLY CAUSE
FLUCTUATIONS IN HOW WE FINANCE
THESE PROJECTS AND HOW WE
UNDERWRITE THE PROJECTS . THE
OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT IS THAT
TARIFFS' IMPACT ON INTEREST
RATES. IF TARIFFS CONTINUE ,
THEY COULD IMPACT MORTGAGE RATES
WITH CONTINUING INFLATION WHICH
AS WE KNOW CAUSES THE FEDERAL
RESERVE TO INCREASE BASELINE
FEDERAL INTEREST RATES WHICH
WOULD ULTIMATELY INCREASE THE
INTEREST RATES IN THE MARKET.
AND , FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO
SAY THAT AS A WHOLE, ARE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PORT FOLIO IN
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PORTFOLIO IS
IMPORTANT. BUT SUPPLY IN THE
GENERAL HOUSING MARKET AND THE
TARIFFS AND INTEREST RATES
CONTINUING TO GO UP WILL IMPACT
THE OVERALL SUPPLY IN OUR
MARKET. SO, A LOT OF HEADWINDS ,
BUT I THINK WE ARE CONTINUING TO
HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH
SPONSORS, DEVELOPERS, BANKS,
REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPERS INCLUDING REGIONAL
BANKS AND THE LARGER NATIONAL
BANKS. SO, THANK YOU FOR LETTING
US TALK TO YOU TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND
NEXT TO JUST FROM COMMUNITY
PARTNERS.
>> AGAIN, I AM JUST BLANCHE WITH
ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
IT IS A NONPROFIT TO MAKE HOMES
POSSIBLE FOR THE MILLIONS OF
FAMILIES WITHOUT ONE. WE SUPPORT
AGGREGATION THINKING
ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND AND
AGGREGATE FOR IMPACT . WE BUILD
AND MANAGE COMMUNITIES OURSELVES
IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION OF
THE UNITED STATES . SINCE 1982,
WE HAVE INVESTED $80.9 MILLION
AND CREATED 9 MILLION HOMES
ACROSS UNITED STATES ACROSS THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO
RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. ALL
FOUR HOMEOWNERSHIP PRIDE AND
POWER OF BELONGING. I WILL GIVE
THE FEDERAL POLICY LANDSCAPE
TODAY . SO, THERE IS A LOT
HAPPENING, SURPRISE. SO, FIRST
TO THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION AND
THE FY 26 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS.
AS YOU KNOW , AFTER BRIEF
EXCITEMENT AROUND THE SENATE
CONTINUING RESOLUTION VOTE, THE
SENATE PASSED THE CONTINUING
RESOLUTION AND IT WAS SIGNED BY
PRESIDENT TRUMP. THIS FULL-YEAR
CR FUNDS PROGRAMS THROUGH
SEPTEMBER AT THE FY24 LEVELS AND
I WILL TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS IN
A FEW MOMENTS. NOW WE ARE
GEARING UP FOR ADVOCACY FOR THE
UP 26 APPROPRIATIONS. AGENCY
STAFF. WE ARE CURRENTLY CLOSELY
MONITORING FEDERAL STAFF
CHANGES. FOLLOWING UNDER THE
CATEGORY OF GOOD NEWS, THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION DID MOVE TO
REINSTATE 25,000 FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES AFTER A JUDGE RULED
THE TERMINATIONS ILLEGAL. HUD IS
INCLUDED IN THE REINSTATEMENT'S.
BUT, WE CONTINUE TO HEAR RUMORS
THAT STAFF, INCLUDING THE STAFF
AT HUD WILL BE DOWNSIZED IN THE
SEATTLE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSING
. WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
SERVICES LAYOFFS THIS WEEK, IT
IS REPORTED THAT THE STAFF THAT
MANAGES THE ENERGY LOW INCOME
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN
CUT. IT IS ALSO SOON TO SAY WHY
THE OFFICE WILL BE DISMANTLED.
STAFF ARE BEING CUT BUT THE
PROGRAM IS NOT. HHS SPOKESPERSON
EMILY HILLIARD SAID THE AGENCY
WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. AS A
RESULT OF THE REORGANIZATION BE
BETTERED POSITION TO MOVE ON
CONGRESS'S STATUTORY INTENT .
SHE DID NOT MOVE ON HOW HHS
WOULD ALLOCATE FUNDS WITHOUT
HELP FROM THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO
HAVE BEEN LAID OFF . WASHINGTON
RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY $66.5
MILLION IN FY 24 OF HEAP FUNDS.
THESE SERVES HOUSEHOLDS WITH AN
AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME AT OR
BELOW 150% OF THE FEDERAL
POVERTY LEVEL WHICH IS 22,000
$500 FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF ONE OR
4600 FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF ONE --
FOUR. WE ARE WORKING FOR
CONGRESS KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT
IS FOR HAVING FULLY STAFFED
FEDERAL PROGRAMS. MOVING ONTO
THE CDF FIVE FUND. THE PRESIDENT
ISSUED A EO DIRECTING THE
DEPARTMENT HEADS INCLUDING THE
UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY
COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS TO
REPORT WHICH FUNCTIONS ARE
STATUTORILY REQUIRED AND CANNOT
BE DISCONTINUED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT
LEGISLATION TO THE OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET . THERE
WAS A TREMENDOUS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT FOR THE CDF I FUNDS AND
RECOMMITTING TO THE PROGRAM. WE
HOPE IT WILL BE SAFE BUT WE
CONTINUE ENGAGING WITH MEMBERS
ON THE HILL TO MAKE SURE THEY
KNOW JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY .
THERE IS STILL A LOT UP IN THE
AIR AROUND FUNDING FOR THE CDF
FIVE FUND. IT MANAGES THE
PROGRAM WITH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
FUNDS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
AWARDS. AMONG THEM THE HEALTHY
FOODS INITIATIVE AND THE NEW
MARKETS TAX PROGRAM WHICH IS DUE
TO SUNSET AT THE END OF 2025 .
AS A LOCAL EXAMPLE OF THE IMPACT
OF THOSE FUNDS, THE BURR BAR
PLACE WAS FINANCED WITH NEW
MARKETS TAX CREDITS. AND THE
CDFI CREDIT INCLUDING THE HAVE
-- HEALTHY FOODS TAX INITIATIVE
TO CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL GUT OF
THE FACILITY TO BRING IT UP TO
MODERN STANDARDS. ON
HOMELESSNESS, WE WORK WITH
NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
PARTNERS ON ADVOCACY FOR LOCAL
PARTNERS. WE ARE WORKING FOR
ASSISTANCE WITH RENTAL
ASSISTANCE. AND THE PARTNERS
HAVE THE RESOURCES AND
TECHNICAL'S ASSISTANCE TO MAKE
SURE COMMUNITIES ARE PLACES
WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. WE
EXPECT CONTINUED SHIFTS BY THE
ADMINISTRATION TO FEDERAL
HOMELESSNESS POLICY INCLUDING
TREATMENT FIRST POLICIES THAT
REQUIRE SERVICES AND TREATMENT
AS A PRECONDITION TO HOUSING .
WE KNOW THAT EVIDENCE-BASED
INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING WITH
SERVICES THAT ARE LOW BARRIER
SOLUTIONS TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS
. WHILE THE OVERALL CONTINUING
RESOLUTION FUNDING ARE FLAT FROM
2024 INTO 2025, THE CR PROVIDES
LESS THAN WHAT IS NEEDED TO
MAINTAIN HOMELESSNESS HOUSING
ACROSS THE COUNTRY DUE TO FAIR
MARKET ANALYSIS AND WE KNOW THIS
WILL CREATE HOMELESSNESS. WE ARE
MAKING A STRONG CASE THAT
INCREASES IN THE HOMELESSNESS
ASSISTANCE GRANTS ARE A DOWN
PAYMENT FOR THE FUTURE WHERE ALL
COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER AND
HEALTHIER. IT IS OUR
UNDERSTANDING THAT HUD IS
ISSUING RENEWAL OF CONTINUING
CARE GRANTS BASED ON THE TIMING
OF THE OPERATING START DATE. THE
NEW PROVISIONS REQUIRED OF
RECIPIENTS ARE CONFUSING IN
TERMS OF THEIR AQUA BUT GILLETT
-- APPLICABILITY TO FUNDING. WE
ENGAGE COUNCIL TO RECEIVE
GUIDANCE TO HOW TO BEST
UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL
OBLIGATIONS AFTER EXECUTING THE
FY 2024 AGREEMENT . THERE ARE
CONCERNS THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO
EXISTING PROGRAMS LIKE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE WHICH COULD CREATE
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS. AND RENTAL
ASSISTANCE KNOWN AS SECTION 8,
FOR EXAMPLE IS $700 MILLION
SHORT OF ESTIMATED NEEDS FOR THE
REMAINDER OF FY25 LEAVING 32
FOUND -- 32,000 FAMILIES AT RISK
OF RENTAL HOMELESSNESS .
>> ON THE GOOD NEWS FRONT ,
LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED TO
COUNTERACT THE DECLINING NUMBER
OF LANDLORDS WITH THE HOUSING
VOUCHERS AND MAKING IT BETTER
FOR VOUCHER HOLDERS. IT WOULDST
INCENTIVIZE LANDLORDS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS WITH
SECURITY DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE TO
ENSURE GREATER PROTECTION
AGAINST DAMAGES AND BONUSES TO
HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO RECRUIT
AND RETAIN LANDLORDS. THE BILL
WOULD INCREASE FUNDING TO THE
TRIBAL FUND TO BENEFIT NATIVE
AMERICANS AND REDUCE INSPECTION
DELAYS TO CONNECT LANDLORDS WITH
VOUCHER HOLDING TENANTS AND
CARRIAGE HUD TO PERFORM THE PHA
EVALUATIONS TO PROVIDE MORE
HOUSING AUTHORITIES WITH
VOUCHERS. A FEW WEEKS AGO, HUD
ISSUED A NOTICE THAT THEY WILL
BE RELEASING ALL EMERGENCY
FUNDING STATING THAT THE PAYMENT
WOULD BE MADE WITH THE
EXPECTATION THAT NO ADDITIONAL
FUNDING FROM HUD WOULD BE
FORTHCOMING. THIS FINAL PAYMENT,
HUD SAID , SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO
COVER RENT PAYMENTS FOR THE
REMAINDER OF 2025 AND INTO 26
WHICH IS IN STARK CONTRAST WITH
THE ORIGINAL SUNSET DATE OF
2030. AS OF MARCH 19th, THERE
ARE NEARLY 60,000 PEOPLE
NATIONWIDE WHO ARE AT RISK OF
BECOMING HOMELESS ONCE THIS
FUNDING IS EXHAUSTED YEARS
EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED. THE
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM PROVIDES FORMULA GRANTS
TO STATES AND LOCALITIES THAT
COMMUNITIES USE, OFTEN IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH GROUPS FOR
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BUILDING,
BUYING AND MAINTAINING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR PROVIDING
DIRECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW
INCOME PEOPLE . AS THE LARGEST
FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT TO STATE AND
LOCAL DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR
LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. AND IT
WAS TARGETED WITH THE HOUSE
PROPOSING ONLY $500 MILLION FOR
THOGTHE CONTINUING
RESOLUTION MEANT THAT IT WILL
CONTINUE TO FUND AT $2.5 BILLION
AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE A TOUGH
YEAR OVERALL FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
AND THE HOME COALITION A GROUP
OF MORE THAN 70 ORGANIZATIONS
ADVOCATING FOR FUNDING AND
MODERNIZATION OF THE PROGRAM
WITH $1.5 BILLION WHICH WAS THE
PREVIOUS HIGH WATER MARK FOR THE
PROGRAM. THE SEATTLE OFFICE OF
HOUSING TARGETS HOME INVESTMENT
TO PROJECTS BECAUSE ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS ARE TRIGGERED BY
THE FEDERAL FUNDING .
DAVIS-BACON AND THE UNIFORM
RELOCATION ACT . BY AMERICA .
THERE IS ESPECIALLY A LOT AROUND
BUILD AMERICA BY AMERICA. WITH
WAIVERS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE PROGRAM.
>> HOUSING -- OVERALL, HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RELIES
ON FUNDING AWARDS BEING KEPT .
IF AWARDS ARE RESCINDED OR
POLICY CHANGES CAUSED DELAYS ,
IT CAN HARM IMPLICIT TRUST IN
THE WHOLE SYSTEM ESPECIALLY FROM
PRIVATE LENDERS AS NAOMI
MENTIONED. THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT OR CDBG
IS SEEN AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE
FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
MAN -- MAYORS ARE MORE VOCAL
ABOUT CUTS TO THE PROGRAM. WITH
THE CR, THE PROGRAM WILL BE
FUNDED AT $3.3 MILLION . WE SIT
ON THE COALITION WILL BE
ADVOCATING FOR TO -- $4.2
BILLION FOR THE PROGRAM. AS
NAOMI MENTIONED, THE LOW INCOME
FEDERAL TAX PROGRAM IS FORMALLY
TAXING PALOOZA . AND THE FORMER
EARL -- FEDERAL HOUSING CRACK
TAX CREDIT. ENTER PRIZE
CO-CHAIRS AND THE ACTION COME
PAYS -- CAMPAIGNS. WE ARE TRYING
TO GET IT INTO THE
RECONCILIATION TAX PACKET THIS
YEAR. BUT PRACTITIONERS, AS
MENTIONED ARE EXPERIENCING PAINS
FROM STAFF REDUCTIONS AND OTHER
GAP FINANCING PROGRAMS PLUS
OTHER ISSUES WITH TARIFFS
STEMMING FROM TAX CHANGES .
>> I'M ALMOST DONE . THERE IS A
LONG TRACK RECORD OF COMBINING
STATE UTILITY AND FEDERAL
RESOURCES TO MAKE IT MORE
EFFICIENCY. WE ARE FOLLOWING
DEVELOPMENTS OF THE GREENHOUSE
GAS FUND WHICH IS AIMED AT
SUPPORTING EFFICIENCY AND
ELECTRIFICATION IN THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SECTOR . THIS
PROGRAM, IF IT'S ALLOWED TO
MOVE FORWARD WILL PROVIDE
CATALYTIC FUNDING THAT WILL
PROVIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO
HAVE LOW ENERGY PRICES AND MAKE
HOMES AFFORDABLE AND REDUCE
POLLUTION. $2 MILLION IS SLATED
TO GOING TOWARD THE CARBON ICING
ONE OF DESC 'S PROPERTIES WITH
ENERGY SAVING MEASURES. FINALLY
, SECTION 4 . THE HUD SECTION 4
CAPACITY FOR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING PROGRAM
STRENGTHENS LOW INCOME , RURAL,
NATIVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE
NATION BY PROVIDING FLEXIBLE
SUPPORT TO NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION FOR HOUSING AND
REVITALIZING COMMERCIAL CORE
DOORS AND REVITALIZING
HEALTHCARE AND CHILDCARE AND
SAFETY NEEDS. HUD IS THE ONLY
PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS BY PROVIDING THEM
WITH BUILDING FUNDS SO THEY MAY
BETTER SERVE ALL TYPES OF
COMMUNITIES IN NEED . ANY ONE
DOLLAR OF SECTION 4 LEVERAGES
$20 OF PUBLIC INVESTMENTS FAR
MORE THAN THE THREE TO ONE MATCH
REQUIRED BY LAW . THEY ARE NEW
GLEE AND ABLE TO ATTRACT
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS. SINCE
2020, SECTION 4 HAS LEVERAGED
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN
DEVELOPMENT COSTS ALONE.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE OMB AND GAO
IS A COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAM. FOR
ADVOCACY MOVING FORWARD,
ENTERPRISE INTERNATIONAL
PARTNERS ARE ASKING CONGRESS TO
PROVIDE $50 MILLION IN FISCAL
YEAR 2026 TO ENSURE HE CAN MEET
THE INCREASING NEEDS OF LOW
INCOME COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE.
UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO OUR
SUPPOSED NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE
DEI EXECUTIVE ORDER, ENTERPRISE
AND OUR PARTNER RECENTLY
RECEIVED CANCELLATION NOTICES
FROM HUD / DOGE. THIS IS
IMPACTING MANY ORGANIZATIONS
HAVING TO STOP PROJECTS MIDWAY
THROUGH. WE ARE WORKING WITH
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHAMPIONS TO
UNDO THE CANCELLATIONS.
ENTERPRISE'S MARKET INCLUDES
WASHINGTON AND OREGON AND OVER
THE LAST 10 YEARS WE HAVE
UTILIZED $5 MILLION FOR THE HUD
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS,
BUILDING CAPACITY AS THEY WORK
TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. IN
RESPONSE TO OUR URBAN RF P THIS
AUTUMN , WE HAVE RECEIVED $1.5
MILLION FOR GRANTS WHEN WE HAVE
100,000 TO GIVE. AN RFP
ORGANIZATION SERVING RURAL
COMMUNITIES AND TRAVEL
ORGANIZATIONS . WHEN WE RECEIVED
THE TERMINATION NOTICE IN LATE
FEBRUARY, WE WERE ON THE VERGE
OF MAKING AWARDS. THE AWARDS WE
WERE PLANNING TO MAKE WHEN WE
RECEIVE THE TERMINATION WOULD
PROVIDE NINE OF THE WASHINGTON
ORGANIZATIONS 609,000 $500 .
ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF WHICH WOULD
HAVE SUPPORTED SEATTLE
ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING CHIEF
SEATTLE CLUB AND INF 2661. PUGET
SOUND ALSO HAD $6500 WHICH THEY
ALSO HAD TO CANCEL. BETWEEN OUR
TWO ORGANIZATION S IT IS CREATED
A NET LOSS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
SUPPORTING LOW INCOME
COMMUNITIES . I THINK JAMES IS
GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE IMPACT OF THE SECTION FOR
CANCELLATION ON HIS
ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH
.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE THOROUGH UP
DATE . IF I COULD JUST TAKE A
MOMENT TO CORRECT THE RECORD TO
STATE THAT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH IS EXCUSED TODAY
AND COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA HAS
JOINED VIRTUALLY.
>> MY NAME IS JAMES LOVELL AND I
AM THE INTERIM CEO. I AM WITH
THE INDIANS OF NORTH DAKOTA BUT
I WAS BORN AND RAISED AND GREW
UP HERE IN SEATTLE . NOW I LIVE
AT SEATAC WHERE I SERVE ON THE
CITY COUNCIL. I WILL SAY IS THE
FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIAL, I
EMPATHIZE WITH THE CHALLENGES
YOU ARE FACING BUT I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE SCALE AND
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SEATTLE COUNCIL
IS DIFFERENT TO MANY OTHER
CITIES NATIONALLY AND SO I
APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. FOR
DISCLOSURE, I SERVE ON THE
HOUSING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
HERE. BEFORE I TALK ABOUT THE
IMPACTS WE HAVE HAD THROUGH THE
SECTION 4 CUTS THAT JESS WAS
TALKING ABOUT, I WOULD LIKE
FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND THE
ENVIRONMENT THAT THE CHIEF
SEATTLE CLUB OPERATES IN AND WHY
NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE 2% OF
THE SEATTLE POPULATION. IN THE
INDIAN RELOCATION ACT OF 1956
AND BEGINNING IN 1953 , THERE
BEGAN AN ERA WHERE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT RESOLVED A SPECIAL
TRUSTEE RELATIONSHIP THE TRIBES
HAVE WITH THE U.S.. THIS IS
NATIVE AMERICANS AND ALASKANS
MOVED FROM TRADITIONAL LANDS.
OVER 80% OF AMERICAN INDIANS AND
ALASKA NATIVES LIVE IN URBAN
AREAS. WHILE WE AT CHIEF SEATTLE
CLUB PARTNER WITH OUR RELATIVES,
95% OF THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS
NATIVE PEOPLE IN KING COUNTY ARE
FROM SMALL ISLANDS IN SOUTHEAST
ALASKA. THE GREAT PLAINS AND THE
SOUTHWEST. THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN
COUNTRY AND A FEW FROM CENTRAL
NORTH DAKOTA . WE DID NOT CHOOSE
TO COME TO FROM THE CITY'S FAR
FROM OUR HOME BUT WE ARE PROUD
TO BE HERE AND CARRY TRADITIONS
WITH US. THIS URBANIZATION CAME
WITH BROKEN PROMISES OF HOUSING
AND DIGNITY . MANY RELATIVES
WERE LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE BUT
TO LIVE ON THE STREETS AND THE
CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB WAS FORMED IN
1970 TWO ADDRESS THE PRECIPITOUS
RISE OF HOMELESS NATIVE PEOPLE
PARTICULARLY THOSE NOT FROM
LOCAL TRIBES AND WE'VE BEEN
TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS FOR 55
YEARS. WHILE WE ARE 1% TO 2% OF
THE TOTAL POPULATION, AND COVID
TIME THEY LISTED US AS 32% AND
THAT IS ONE OF THE MORE SHOCKING
DISPARITIES OF THE DISPARITIES
WE SEE IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL
GROUPS. SO, THAT IS THE WORK THE
CLUB DOES. WE STARTED A CLUB
WHEN WE WERE SEEING THAT THE
CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB WAS TAKING
MONEY AND REPORTING DATA AND
IMPACTS WITH HST AT THE TIME AND
NOW IT IS TRANSFERRED TO KCRHA.
THERE ARE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES
WHEN THEY ARE HOUSED WITH
CULTURALLY RELEVANT PROVIDERS,
THEY ARE HOUSED MORE QUICKLY ,
THEY STAY HOUSE LONGER AND THEY
HAVE BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES. ALL
OF THESE THINGS DRAMATIC WAY
REDUCE COSTS TO HOUSE THESE
FOLKS WHO HAVE HIT THESE INSANE
DISPARITIES. THAT IS WHERE THE
STORY STARTS HERE AS JESS WAS
TALKING ABOUT . WE HAVE THESE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE
ENDEAVORED TO SERVE OUR PEOPLE
SINCE THE MASS URBANIZATION OF
MOSTLY NONLOCAL P IF -- PEOPLE
IN THE 50s. WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED
WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP OTHER
NATIVE PEOPLE HOUSED AND THAT'S
WHERE THE EFFORTS BEGAN. WE
OPENED OUR FIRST BUILDING IN
2022 AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED
THROUGH THIS CRITICAL INVESTMENT
THROUGH THE HUD SECTION 4 AND
OTHER BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS. THE
HOUSING NONPROFIT SYSTEM -- WE
PROVIDERS DO NOT HAVE A OPCD
WHICH IS SOMETHING THE CITY OF
SEATTLE HAS. YOU ARE DOING
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND
LOOKING AT HOLISTIC DATA AND
FINDING WAYS FOR PUBLIC
INVESTMENTS. FOR THE HAUSER'S,
ALMOST EVERY DIRECTOR IS TIED UP
IN SERVICES AND/OR CAPITAL
COSTS. THAT IS WHY YOU WERE SO
GREAT AT THE FUN RAIDERS AND WE
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN
OCTOBER, OF COURSE. WE HAVE TO
RAISE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT FROM
PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY AND THAT'S
WHAT GOES INTO THE
ADMINISTRATION. ADMIN COSTS ARE
OFTEN CAPPED AT 10% IS WHICH IS
NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH TO FUND A
FUNCTIONING ADMINISTRATIVE
EFFORT. SO, WHEN A CAPACITY
GRAND -- BUILDING GRANT COMES
THROUGH , IT IS A BOOST AND A
SHOT WE CAN TAKE IN THE MORNING
TO RELIEVE OURSELVES FROM
PLANNING FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS TO
COME. THROUGH ENTERPRISE, THIS
WAS CRITICAL FOR THE CHIEF
SEATTLE CLUB. WE APPLIED IN
NOVEMBER OF 2021 AND OWNED ZERO
UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE
NOW, HERE , HAVE -- WITH THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND FUNDING ,
WE ARE GETTING READY TO OPEN OUR
405th UNIT OF PERMANENT
SUPPORTED HOUSING IN THREE
YEARS. 2022 IS WHEN WE OPENED
OUR FIRST UNITS. SO, WE ARE
LOOKING AT FIVE BUILDINGS. WE
HAVE TWO TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
INCLUDING THE RECENTLY REOPENED
EAGLE VILLAGE AND COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON'S DISTRICT. WHEN YOU
HAVE THE ABILITY TO PLAN
COLLECTIVELY AND CREATE A
PIPELINE AND BRING PEOPLE
THROUGH THE RIGHT STEPS , YOU
CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN THE MOST DRAMATIC DISPARITIES
WE SEE IN ANY POPULATION. IT IS
THROUGH THIS WORK -- IT IS
THROUGH THE TIME SPENT WORKING
WITH ENTERPRISE AND BEING ACTUAL
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS. WHAT
DOES IT MEAN TO BECOME A HAUSER.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT TEAM AND A
REAL ESTATE TEAM? WHAT DOES IT
MEAN THROUGH THE FUNDING
SOURCES. WE NOW HAVE LIHTC . I
SPENT HALF MY DAY TALKING ABOUT
LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS.
BECAUSE OF THE NAOMIS AND THE
JUSTS OF THE WORLD , THE
COMMUNITIES ARE ABLE TO WORK
FASTER AND HARDER.
>> [ CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]
>>
WE KNOW A WAY TO GO.
WE KNOW THERE HAVE 1,080
PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.
WE NEED MORE AND CAN'T PLAN
FOR THAT WITHOUT THE
RESOURCES COMING FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET US
INTO THIS
MENTALITY.
I'M SAD TO ADD THAT EARLIER
THIS WEEK, WE FOUND OUT THAT
THE URBAN
INDIAN HEALTH INITIATIVE FUNDED
BY THE CDC HAS BEEN CUT
AS WELL.
SO OUR
PANDEMICS.
CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB NO LONGER HAS
CAPACITY TO BUILD PLANS FOR
RESPONDING.
WE BUILT FOR SPEED IN OUR
FIRST FOUR YEARS AND NOW WE'RE
TRYING TO BUILD FOR SIZE AND
OUR ABILITY TO PLAN AND BUILD
FOR SCALE TO KEEP ADDRESSING
THIS PROBLEM AT THIS PACE HAS
BEEN SEVERELY HAMPERED BY THE
CUTS.
NOT ONLY TO THE CDC, BUT HUD.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW WHAT
THE ACRONYMS ARE.
I'M
USED TO HAVING TO EXPLAIN THESE
THINGS TO LAY FOLKS.
HUD, HUD IS IN TROUBLE AND
IS FEELING IT DUE TO THE CUTS IN
ENTERPRISE.
I COULD TALK ABOUT THIS
FOR HOURS AND THAT'S HONESTLY
SINCE
MY BOSS WENT ON SABBATICAL IN
JANUARY, THAT'S BEEN WHAT A LOT
OF THE FOCUS HAS BEEN.
FOR ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY TO
SPECULATE, PLAN, PREPARE
FOR WHAT THE NEXT EXECUTIVE
ORDER IS
GOING TO MAYBE ENTAIL FOR US.
HAS BEEN
HUGE. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE
DRAMATIC
REDUCTIONS IN STAFFING
FOR FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS HAS
CAUSED
DELAYS IN THE
OPERATIONAL FINANCING STACK FOR
PROVIDERS.
HAPPY TO GO INTO THAT MORE AT
ANOTHER TIME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GOOD TO SEE YOU IN THIS
CAPACITY.
CLOSING US OUT ON OUR PANEL,
I'M
GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DANIEL
MALONE.
>>
THANKS A LOT. DO YOU HAVE SLIDES
FOR ME
OR, OKAY, JUST A FEW.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK
AT INSTEAD OF MY VISAGE?
SO, DSE
IS --
>> NOW I'M GOING TO LOOK.
>> FOCUSED ON A SUBSET OF PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING LONG- TERM
HOMELESSNESS.
ESSENTIALLY PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
CONDITIONS LIKE MENTAL ILLNESS
AND
LONG TIME SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER.
WE CONDUCT OUR WORK ACROSS
A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT
PROGRAM TYPES.
MOST NOTABLY, A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF PERMANENT SUPPORT OF
HOUSING AND SHELTER
AND EMERGENCY HOUSING SETTINGS
AND WE PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF
LICENSED
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH TREATMENT SUPPORT FOR
PEOPLE WITH
PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE AT
WORK RANGING FROM
DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER SOCIAL
SERVICES PROFESSIONALS AND THIS
YEAR,
OUR OPERATING BUDGET IS ABOUT
$140
MILLION.
AROUND A QUARTER OF THAT
IS ORIGINATING FROM FEDERAL
SOURCES. THIS ALLOWS US TO SERVE
ABOUT
8,000 PEOPLE OVER THE COURSE OF
A YEAR.
AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE
WHO
ARE RECEIVING ONE OR
MORE SERVICES FROM US.
SO, THE FEDERAL FUNDS WE
RELYRELY
MOSTLY HAVE BEEN REMARKED ON
IN THE PANEL TODAY FOR
OPERATIONS, THE BIGGEST SOURCES
OF
FEDERAL FUNDS WE RELY ON ARE
FROM THE
HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM.
THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
AND RENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS LIKE SECTION EIGHT AND
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS.
WE HAVE OTHER FEDERAL
SOURCES FOR SOME OF OUR
OPERATING EXPENSES INCLUDING THE
SECTION FOUR PROGRAM THAT WAS
REMARKED ON EARLIER AND SO THAT
WAS SOMETHING WE WERE COUNTING
ON BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS
YEAR
THAT IS NOW APPARENTLY LOST
TO US.
WE LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT
SOME HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES FUNDING THAT WE ARE
CURRENTLY
RECEIVING FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT AND
THROUGH THE FEDERAL SUBSTANCE
ABUSE BLOCK PROGRAM HAS BEEN
CUT.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
SO, THAT IS CAUSING US AND
THE KING COUNTY AND THE
STATE HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY TO
SCRAMBLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO
DO
ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE THE LOSS OF
THOSE
FUNDS.
ALSO RELY ON FEDERAL SOURCES
FOR A LOT OF OUR CAPITAL
NEEDS INCLUDING THE LOW INCOME
TAX
CREDIT PROGRAM, CDFI FUND
LOANS, NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS,
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO BUILD
CLINICS.
IN ADDITION TO THE SUPPORT
OF HOUSING OPERATIONS.
SO I WOULD ASK TO SPEAK
ABOUT MEDICAID AND GO TO THE
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
DSE SUPPORT HOUSING
IS APPROACHING 1900 UNITS AS I
SAID. 1500 ARE IN THE BUILDINGS
THAT
YOU SEE PICTURED HERE.
ALL BUT ONE OF THOSE ARE IN
SEATTLE ACROSS EVERY DISTRICT
THAT'S REPRESENTED ON THE
COMMITTEE IS HERE TODAY.
WE USE, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF
SCATTERED SIZING, ALTHOUGH
SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL FUNDS. THE
FUND SOURCES WE RELY ON FOR
THESE PROGRAMS ARE THE TAX
CREDIT, CONTINUUM OF CARE
FUNDS, SECTION EIGHT, AND AN
ARRAY OF
DIFFERENT FUNDS FROM
SEATTLE TO THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON. ALL OF THESE
PROGRAMS
INCLUDED AND THE PEOPLE WHOWHO
IN
THEM ARE RELY HEAVILY ON
MEDICAID TO
SUPPORT THEM.
SO LAST SLIDE, I'LL JUST GO
INTO MORE ABOUT MEDICAID WE RELY
ON
HERE.
THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS
THAT MEDICAID FUND.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE ANTICIPATING
REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE
MEDICAID PROGRAM OF ABOUT $9.5
MILLION.
THIS SET OF SERVICES,
THE LARGEST BEING OUTPATIENT
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
THAT WE PROVIDE THAT INCLUDE OUT
PATIENT MENTAL
HEALTHCARE, SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER
TREATMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT
SERVICES.
SOME OF THE CRISIS BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH CRISIS STABILIZATION
SERVICES WE OPERATE
RECEIVES MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT.
THAT INCLUDES MOBILE
CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES AS WELL
AS
FACILITY- BASED
CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES.
SOME OF OUR OPIOID
TREATMENT WORK IS FUNDED THROUGH
MEDICATE
SOURCES AND THEN A
PARTICULAR MEDICAID FUNDING
SOURCE KNOWN AS
FOUNDATIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
COVERS SOME OF THE HOUSING
SERVICES IN PERMANENT SUPPORT OF
HOUSING.
SO ALL OF THOSE ARE AT
RISK GIVEN THE FEDERAL
CONVERSATION ABOUT MAJOR CUTS TO
SPENDING
INCLUDING ANTICIPATING
LARGE CUTS THAT WOULD BE COMING
TO
THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND MANY OF
THE ANALYSIS THAT I HAVE
SEEN SUGGEST THAT A MAJOR WAY
THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WOULD
ATTEMPT TO DECREASE SPENDING
ON MEDICAID WOULD BE BY
ESSENTIALLY ATTACKING THE
MEDICAID
EXPANSION PROGRAM.
A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS RECEIVE MEDICAID
BY VIRTUE OF BEING
ELIGIBLE THROUGH THE EXPANSION
PROGRAM.
THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM
RECEIVES THE VAST MAJORITY
OF ITS FUNDING FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH A MUCH
SMALLER STATE SHARE TO COVER THE
COST
OF THAT.
SO, REDUCTIONS IN FEDERAL
COST SHARE OF MEDICAID
EXPANSION WOULD RESULT IN A HUGE
HIT TO THE STATE AND THE
STATE WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE OUT
HOW THEY WERE
GOING TO CONTINUE PEOPLE
ON HEALTH INSURANCE IF THAT WERE
TO
HAPPEN. ANOTHER PART OF
WHAT'S ANTICIPATED HERE IS
THE INTRODUCTION OF WORK
REQUIREMENTS.
ON PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE
MEDICAID THROUGH EXPANSION
PURPOSES.
ONE OF THE I THINK
MOST DIFFICULT PARTS OF THAT IS
THAT
EVEN THOUGH THE ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA IS INCOME BASED, A
LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON
MEDICAID
THROUGH THAT PROGRAM
ACTUALLY HAVE UNLINED ILITIES.
SOMETIMES, THAT IS DUE TO
THE SYMPTOMS OF
THE DISABILITY ITSELF THAT
PEOPLE HAVE NOT
GOTTEN THEMSELVES DISABILITY
DETERMINED.
INSTEAD, THEY'RE ABLE TO BE ON
THROUGH JUST AN INCOME
DETERMINATION AND BUT
THOSE PEOPLE BY VIRTUE OF
THEIR DISABILITIES WILL NOT BE
ABLE
TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS AND
RUN THE RISK OF LOSING THEIR
HEALTH
INSURANCE.
SO IT'S A PARTICULARLY
INSIDIOUS PART OF SOME OF THE
CHANGES
THAT MAY BE COMING TO US.
AND I'LL JUST STOPSTOP THERE.
FOR NOW.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, ALL, AND
COLLEAGUES, I HOPE YOU
CAN APPRECIATE THE EXPERTISE
REPRESENTED BY OUR PANEL TODAY.
THIS PANEL COMING TOGETHER
TO TEACH US AS WELL AS THE
PUBLIC THE REALITIES ABOUT WHAT
IS HAPPENING IN OUR HOUSING
SYSTEM.
I KNOW
FROM MY OFFICE, WE CONTINUE TO
HEAR THAT HOUSING
AND HOMELESSNESS IS THE
NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT OUR
RESIDENTS CARE ABOUT.
SO WE WANT TO KNOW AND
BETTER UNDERSTAND THESE IMPACTS
SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE TO OUR
CONSTITUENTS AND CONTINUE
TO ADDRESS THIS IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
AND FURTHER, I HOPE YOU
CAN APPRECIATE AS WE WERE
ASSEMBLING
TODAY'S PANEL, WE WANTED
TO CAPTURE THE MANY
DIMENSIONS WITHIN THE HOUSING
SYSTEM
FROM TOUCHING ON MEDICAID
REIMBURSEMENT TO HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES, FUNDING THROUGH
HUD, BUT ALSO LOOKING AHEAD
TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND
OUR ABILITY TO RESTORE OUR
HOUSING
PIPELINE.
TO THAT END, I HOPE YOU TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EXPERTISE
TODAY AND I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR
QUESTIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR RINCK.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING.
FOR THOSE NOT IN BRIEFING,
I'D LOVE TO GET ON PAPER, TOO.
AS YOU NOTED, THAT IS A
PRETTY DENSE TOPIC AND TO GET
THOSE
LITTLE PIECES OF INFORMATION
ARE HELPFUL OR AT LEAST AS A
REFERENCE VERY HELPFUL.
RECENTLY, I WAS GIVEN A LINK
TO A FOX NEWS SEGMENT WHERE HE
HAD
ELON MUSK
AND THE DOGE TEAM. IT'S
INTERESTING TO WATCH IT,
TO SEE HOW THEY'RE FRAMING
EVERYTHING.
MR. MUSK WAS BASICALLY
FRAMING EVERYTHING AS WASTE,
FRAUD,
AND ABUSE AND THERE'S TONS OF
WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.
BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY THE CASE
HERE.
WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO
IS HAVE A
RESET OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND ITS ROLE IN OUR
SOCIETY AND NATION.
AND AS SOMEONE WHO'S OLD
ENOUGH TO
REMEMBER THE REAGAN YEARS AND
THERE'S A FEW OTHERS HERE IN
THE
AUDIENCE, SORRY, MR. MALONE.
YOU REMEMBER.
THAT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE
A MAJOR RESHAPE OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THAT
TIME PERIOD AND THERE WAS TO A
DEGREE, BUT NOTHING AT THE
SCALE OF THIS.
AND I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD
REALIZE THAT THIS IS AT A
SCALE THAT WE'VE NOT SEEN.
YOU CAN ARGUE SINCE FDR OR
EVEN LONG BEFORE THAT.
I'M ALSO OLD ENOUGH AND I
ACTUALLY WORKED AS A NAVAL
AIDE IN THE CLINTON
ADMINISTRATION.
REALLY, WE SHOULD BE
CONTRASTING TO THE CLINTON
ADMINISTRATION'S
REINVENTING
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE HEADED UP
BY VICE
PRESIDENT GORE. WHICH WAS
LOOKING TO LOOK AT
WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE OR
INEFFICIENCIES IN THE
LIKE. THEY DID IT OVER TIME.
THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON
WHY THAT'S THE LAST TIME WE'VE
HAD
A SURPLUS IN FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT WAS DURING THE
CLINTON YEARS.
AND THAT'S ALSO A VERY STRONG
CONTRAST TOS
WHAT'S HAPPENING
NOW. THERE IS NO, THEY TALK
ABOUT
SCALPEL.
NO, THIS IS A BLUDGEONING
OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE
TO UNDERSTAND
BECAUSE I KNOW ACROSS AMERICA,
PARTICULARLY THE
RED STATE OR RED COUNTY
AMERICA, THEY BELIEVE THIS IS
GETTING
RID OF WASTE, FRAUD, AND
ABUSE. AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
REALLY APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND
THAT
IT'S NOT AND IT'S AT A LEVEL
NOT SEEN COMPARED TO LIKE THE
REAGAN YEARS OR NOT DONE IN A
PROFESSIONAL, PROPER WAY
AS IT WAS DURING THE CLINTON
YEARS.
AND SO THIS IS GOING TO
HAVE SHORT- TERM AND LONG- TERM
RAMIFICATIONS.
BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BUILD BACK.
THE IDEA OF BUILD BACK BETTER.
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS
GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO
UNDO OR
BUILD BACK IN SOME FUTURE TIME
FRAME.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE
THAT MENTAL KIND OF EXPECTATION
THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE THE
SHORT
PIECES, BUT ALSO THE LONG- TERM
PIECES.
AND I SEE THIS OVER AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING HAS A RENT ROLE
AND THERE'S CHALLENGES.
I SUSPECT THAT'S GOING TO BE
HURT EVEN MORE ON TOP OF
WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING FOR
VARIOUS REASONS.
THAT'S GOING TO CREATE ITS OWN
CRISIS.
AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN
FOLLOWING THE FED FOR A LONG
TIME, EVEN
AS A KID BECAUSE GOING BACK TO
THAT TIME PERIOD OF THE LATE
'70s, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF
HIGH INTEREST RATES AND THE
LIKE, I'VE GAINED AN
INCREDIBLE APPRECIATION OF WHAT
THE FED
CHAIR DOES. BECAUSE AS SOMEONE
WHO SITS
ON THE LABOR RELATIONS
COMMITTEE, THE IMPACTS OF THAT
LITTLE
SPIKE WE HAD A FEW YEARS AGO
RIPPLES
THROUGH OUR LABOR CONTRACTS AND
THE LIKE.
IN TERMS OF THE COSTS AND
EXPENSES OF THE NON- PROFITS
AND THE HOUSING.
AS YOU SEE IN TODAY'S NEWS
CYCLE, THE PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S TARIFF PROGRAM IS
GOING TO NO DOUBT WILL HAVE
INFLATIONARY
IMPACTS. WE
HAD COME OUT OF THAT, THOUGHT WE
WERE RAMPING DOWN.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE
INFLATIONARY IMPACTS PIECE
AGAIN. AS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS RED
STATE RED COUNTY AMERICA,
IRONICALLY,
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE MOST
NEED OF
MEDICAID. THERE'S AN ARTICLE IN
CASCADE,
PBS TALKING ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE
NEWHOUSE'S DISTRICT IN THE
MIDDLE OF OUR STATE VERY
MUCH RELYING ON MEDICAID.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING WHEN
THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY
STARTING BEING HIT.
BUT THE MEDICAID PIECE
DOESN'T LIMIT ITSELF TO RED
STATE RED
COUNTY AMERICA. THESE ACTIONS
ARE GOING TO
HAVE HUGE IMPACTS ON OUR
WEST COAST BLUE
CITIES. ON SEATTLE.
LISTENING TO THE PRESENTATIONS,
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT
THE HISTORICAL BACKDROP AND THAT
MOST AMERICANS DON'T UNDERSTAND
THAT.
MY QUESTION AGAIN FOR THAT
SHORT- TERM LONG- TERM CONTEXT,
I
FORGET BECAUSE I ALWAYS
FALL BACK ON MY MILITARY CAREER,
THE
COUP IDEA.
CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS.
I'M SURE, YOU KIND OF HINTED
AT IT AT DIFFERENT POINTS.
BUT WHAT IS THE SHORT-
TERM LONG- TERM BECAUSE
DECISIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
PRIORITIZATION WILL HAVE TO BE
MADE IN TERMS OF THE
CONTINUITY OF THE OPERATIONS.
WHETHER IT'S
A GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION LIKE
DESE.
I WAS CURIOUS IF YOU COULD
SPEAK TO YOUR PLANS.
WITH THAT CONTEXT
AND SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE
IDEA OF CONTINUITY OF
OPERATIONS.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'RE
LOOKING TO PLAN ON DOING IN THE
ACTIONS YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE?
THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> I'M HAPPY TO TAKE A STAB
AT IT.
I WOULD SAY THAT PLANNING HAS
BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
THERE ARE SO MANY
VARIABLES POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF
FUNDS THAT COULD BE CUT AND FOR
WHAT REASONS AND FOR WHEN THAT
COULD
HAPPEN.
WE ARE LOOKING AT KIND
OF POTENTIAL SCENARIOS
INCLUDING WORST CASE SCENARIOS
OF ESSENTIALLY LOSS OF
EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GETTING.
THROUGH FEDERAL SOURCES.
IT IS VERY HARD TO COME OUT OF
PLANNING LIKE THAT WITH
THE SENSE THAT WE'RE
REALLY CONTINUING THINGS IN ANY
MEANINGFUL WAY.
WE'RE UNLIKELY TO BE IN THE
POSITION TO SAY THAT WE'RE
GOING TO EXCISE A QUARTER OF
OUR PROGRAMS AND JUST STOP
OPERATING THEM AND CHANNEL ALL
THE RESOURCES INTO THE
REMAINING
THINGS BECAUSE THEY AREN'T SET
UP LIKE THAT LIKE A LOT OF
OUR PROGRAMS ARE CAPITAL ASSETS
THAT WILL NEED TO STAND AND
CONTINUE
TO BE OPERATED.
SO I DON'T HAVE SPECIFICS
TO OFFER YOU ABOUT WHAT WE
ANTICIPATE WE WOULD CUT
CONCEIVABLY AND HOW WE WOULD
AND WHAT WE WOULD PRIORITIZE
EXACTLY, BUT I'M QUITE SURE
THAT BECAUSE 80% OF OUR BUDGET
GOES
TO PERSONNEL.
BASICALLY, A LOT OF SOCIAL
WORKERS.
IT WOULD RESULT IN
DRAMATIC REDUCTIONS IN OUR
ABILITY
TO SERVE PEOPLE AND MEET THE
NEEDS
OF PEOPLE WHO OFTEN NEED A
VERY HIGH DEGREE OF
SUPPORT. SO I WOULD EXPECT TO
SEE A
GREAT INCREASE IN INSTABILITY
AMONG THE POPULATION THAT WE
SERVE.
>> AGREE WITH WHAT DANIEL'S
SAYING.
WE'VE LOOKED INTO SEATTLE CLUB.
THE NAME OF THE GAME NOW IS
TO LIST EVERYTHING THEN START
SPECULATING BASICALLY.
I THINK EVERYONE DID THIS
IN EARLY JANUARY.
I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH
DANIEL AND OTHER PROVIDERS
TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE ALL
THE FEDERAL SOURCES, WHAT
DO WE THINK THE VULNERABILITY
IS.
WE'VE DONE OUR BEST TO
NOT SPECULATE A DOOMSDAY
SCENARIO
PLAN.
WE DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
THERE'S A LOT
OF STUFF THAT'S STATUTORY
THAT'S GOING TO BE
FAIRLY DURABLE AT LEAST FOR
SOME NUMBER OF MONTHS.
BUT I THINK THAT'S BEEN ONE
OF THE KEY THINGS FOR ME IS TO
LOOK
AT WHAT, SO THE SEATTLE
CLUB, THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR
STAFF ARE LOCAL FUNDING.
IT'S CITY AND COUNTY AS WELL
AS SOME STATE FUNDING FOR MOST
OF OUR STAFF.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
SOMETHING DANIEL SAID ANYTHING
IS THAT
THE CONDITIONS OF SOCIETY THAT
HAVE CREATED THE CHRONIC
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS MAKE IT VERY
DIFFICULT FOR THESE FOLKS TO
LIVE IN A
CONCENTRATED ENVIRONMENT
LIKE ONE OF OUR PSH BUILDINGS
WITHOUT STAFFING.
AND SO IF YOU CUT THE
STAFFING IN THESE BUILDINGS,
THOSE
CONDITIONS, THE CONDITIONS
WE SEE IN KIND OF LARGE SCALE
ENCAMPMENTS WOULD START
TO REPLICATE BECAUSE OF
THE CONDITIONS THE SOCIETY'S
PUT
ON FOLKS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
SO THERE'S, IT IS WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY,
ACTUALLY, I
DON'T THINK PERMITS BOARD
OF HOUSING GETS ENOUGH PLAY
IN THE SPEAR OF PUBLIC
SAFETY MARKETING.
YES, WE SEE POLICE IN
OUR BUILDINGS A LOT.
THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO.
THEY KNOW WHERE STAFF ARE
THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW UP WITH AND
MAKE SURE SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE
BEING ADDRESSED AND THAT'S NOT
THE CASE WITH SCATTERED,
UNSHELTERED FOLKS.
SO WE PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE
IN PUBLIC SAFETY FOR
COMMUNITIES.
SO I THINK WHEN YOU THINK
OF WHAT DANIEL AND I ARE
THINKING
ABOUT, WHAT KEEPS US UP AT
NIGHT, IS HOW DO WE KEEP OUR
STAFF EMPLOYED BECAUSE THAT IS
WHERE SAFETY COMES FROM.
NOT ONLY FOR OUR EMPLOYEES,
BUT THE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN
OUR BUILDINGS.
AS I'M STARTING, WE'VE KIND
OF HAD
THIS, WE HAVEN'T BEEN
CALLING IT A COUP, BUT I'M GOING
TO LIFT THAT ONE.
NEWTON'S CRADLE.
THEY SET ON PEOPLE'S DESK.
LITTLE BALLS THAT CLAK BACK AND
FORTH.
WHAT I'VE BEEN SEEING AS
FEDERAL
FUNDING, THAT THE SCALE OF
FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS THAT
ARE GOING TO BE COMING, IT'S
LIKE
THE FIRST ONE THAT HITS.
THAT ENERGY IS GOING TO
TRANSFER ALL THE WAY DOWN THE
LINE AND
KICK SOMETHING OUT.
AND I DON'T THINK IT'S
TETHERED.
I THINK IT'S JUST GOING TO
KICK SOMETHING OUT.
IF THE FEDERAL CUTS HIT THE
CITY AND COUNTY HARD ENOUGH
THAT THEY HAVE TO REALLOCATE
RESOURCES WITH THINGS COUNCIL
APPROPRIATED, WE
ANTICIPATE THOSE ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO
GO TOWARDS ESSENTIAL
STATUTORY SERVICES.
WHAT IS THAT GOING TOTO FOR,
HESITANT TO NAME ANY OF THE
THINGS THAT I THINK HAVE
FLEXIBILITY LEST IT BECOME
PART OF THE BARGAINING CHIPS,
RIGHT?
WE ARE WATCHING.
THIS IS ONE OF OUR FUNDING
SOURCES, YES.
OUR STAFF ARE MORE SECURE.
THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT
WHAT WHAT KIND OF DECISIONS
ELECTEDS ARE GOING TO MAKE
AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT BUDGET
CUTS.
IT'S THE SPECULATION AROUND
HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE OUR
BUILDING STAYS STAFFED SO THAT
THE PEOPLE IN OUR BUILDINGS ARE
SAFE AND
REMAIN HOUSED.
THERE'S NO BUILD
BACK. IF WE HAVE TO HAVE A MASS
EXODUS FROM OUR BUILDINGS, WHICH
SEEMS
UNFATHOMABLE AT THIS POINT,
SO WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING AT
SOME POINT IS AN INTERRUPTION OF
THE
PIPELINE.
SO TO GET OUT OF A LITTLE BIT
OF THE DOOMSDAY IF THERE'S
AN INTERRUPTION IN LIE TECH
INVESTMENTS, WE
DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING
CREDITS FOR
OUR PRIVATE HOUSING
DEVELOPERS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE
AN
IMPACT NOT IN A MONTH OR TWO,
BUT PROBABLY THIS NEXT YEAR
AS PROJECTS ARE DELAYED.
THERE ARE FEWER TAX CREDITS
AVAILABLE.
LESS
CAPITAL AVAILABLE. ESPECIALLY
TWO YEARS FROM
NOW, THREE YEARS FROM NOW WHEN A
LOT OF THOSE PROJECTS WILL
BE FINISHING UP WOULD BE
THROUGH FINISHING UP
CONSTRUCTION.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT
FEWER NEW PROPERTIES OWNING.
WHICH MEANS A LOT OF THE
FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON
PRESERVATION OF NATURALLY
OCCURRING HOUSING
AND NOT REALLY ADDING NEW UNITS
TO THE SYSTEM.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE STUCK
WITH ACQUISITIONS WHICH
REQUIRE SOME LEVEL OF
TRANSFORMATION TO MAKE
THEM SAFE PLACES.
I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.
I CAN TELL YOU THE PLACES
WE'RE WATCHING MOST CLOSELY.
THESE ARE GROUNDED IN
FAIRLY REASONABLE LOGIC AND
IT'S
BASED ON THE EXPERTISE OF THE
FOLKS
TO MY LEFT AND CERTAINLY
THE, COUNCILMAN KETTLE IS
REFERRING
TO, THE ELDER STATESMAN OF OUR
PANEL.
CERTAINLY RELYING ON OUR
PARTNERS AND INTERMEDIARY
PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY.
>> KCRHA IS IN COMMUNICATION AS
MUCH POSSIBLE WITH HUD AND HHS.
I'LL JUST SAY THIS.
JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WERE
IN CONVERSATION WITH
TWO
ADMINISTRATORS IN D.C. MYSELF
AND DR. KENNISON.
THEY DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S JUST THE REALITY.
THEY'RE SITTING IN A VERY
TOUGH POSITION JUST AS WE ARE
TODAY.
THEY'RE JUST NOT AWARE OF
TOMORROW, OR WHAT WILL COME
DOWN THE PIPELINE.
WHAT WE DO KNOW, WHAT KSRHA
DOESN'T, IS THAT WE NEED TO
ENSURE THAT WE ARE VERY CLEAR ON
POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO
ORGANIZATION THROUGHOUT THIS
REGION. AND WE NEED TO BE QUICK
TO
BE TRANSPARENT ON WHAT THOSE
IMPACTS MIGHT BE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU.
ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE
WORKING WITH KING COUNTY.
AND ALSO THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO
ENSURE WE COME UP
WITH APPROPRIATE CONTINGENCY
PLANS.
BUT MONEY IS TIGHT
THROUGHOUT THIS REGION.
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
AND TO COME UP WITH PLANS TO
ENSURE THAT WE ARE FINANCIALLY
SUSTAINABLE WILL BE A CHALLENGE.
AND SO TO BE TRANSPARENT
ABOUT THAT, IS WHAT WE SHOULD
BE TALKING ABOUT.
WHEN IT COMES DIRECTLY TO
KCRHA, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
$66
MILLION IN HUD COC FUNDS, 4 TO
$5 MILLION OF THAT IS
DIRECT ADMIN REVENUE TO KCRHA.
KCRHA WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT
AS ALL PARTNERS WILL IF
THESE DOLLARS GO AWAY.
I JUST WANT TO END WITH THIS.
I WASN'T ABLE TO TALK ON
THIS, BUT I THINK THIS IS
CERTAINLY
A QUESTION HERE.
A NOTE ABOUT IMMIGRATION.
KCRHA IS CERTAINLY CONCERNED
ABOUT THE NEW LANGUAGE AND
THE GRANT AGREEMENT WE RECEIVED
REGARDING VERIFICATION OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS.
AND ALSO, VERIFICATION WOULD
BE A NEW REQUIREMENT.
WE ARE COORDINATING WITH KING
COUNTY ON AN APPROPRIATE
RESPONSE.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT IMMIGRATION
VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ARE
A BAD POLICY.
THE EFFECTS GO BEYOND PROGRAM
APPLICANTS.
WE KNOW VERIFICATION
REQUIREMENT HAVES A CHILLING
EFFECT THAT
EXTENDS THROUGHOUT THE
COMMUNITY.
AND EVEN DOCUMENTED
INDIVIDUALS ARE LESS LIKELY TO
SEEK HELP
IF THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE
REPERCUSSIONS TO THEMSELVES.
THEIR FRIENDS AND THEIR
FAMILIES.
SO I WANT US TO KEEP THAT
IN MIND AND KCRHA CERTAINLY
KEEP THAT IS IN MIND.
THANK YOU.
>> MAY I ADD ONE MORE THING?
I THINK FROM THE PERSPECTIVE
OF A NATIONAL INTERMEDIARY,
WE'VE LONG BEEN HAVING
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PARTNER
STABILITY AND
SUSTAINABILITY.
AND MAKING SURE THAT
OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND
LIKE CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB AND DESC
CAN STILL FUNCTION IS SUPER
IMPORTANT. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROVIDERS ARE
ALREADY STRUGGLING.
COMING BACK FROM THE IMPACTS
OF COVID HAS BEEN REALLY
DIFFICULT.
AND EVEN MORE SO FOR THEIR
RESIDENTS.
THE IMPACTS OF JOB LOSSES,
INFLATION.
HEALTH DISPARITIES. EDUCATION
GAPS.
THOSE HAVE ALL BEEN SO
MUCH HARDER FOR OUR LOW
INCOME NEIGHBORS TO COME BACK
FROM.
AND SO ENSURING THAT
OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND ARE
ABLE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN
ORDER
TO PROVIDE THAT HOUSING.
KEEPING PEOPLE FROM ENDING UP ON
THE STREETS, IS IMPORTANT TO
OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THOSE
PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HOUSING IS
WE END UP PUTTING MORE AND
MORE BURDEN ON OTHER PUBLIC
SERVICES
THAT DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY.
LAW ENFORCEMENT,
HEALTHCARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH,
RIGHT? IF WE CAN KEEP HOUSED, WE
CAN KEEP PEOPLE IN A BETTER
SPACE.
SO FOR US, OUR
SORT OF CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS
IS REALLY ENSURING THAT
OUR
PARTNERS HAVE THAT CONTINUITY OF
POSSIBILITY.
THANK YOU ALL FOR SPEAKING TO
THAT AND THAT QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR.
JUST WANTED TO EXTEND MY
OWN HEARTFELT THANKS AND
APPRECIATION TO EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL FOR BEING
HERE
TODAY.
SHARING YOUR INSIGHTS.
YOUR UNIQUE
INSIGHTS AND EXPERTISE INTO THE
SCOPE OF
YOUR, THE CHALLENGES
IMPACTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL
ORGANIZATIONS,
THE COMMUNITIES THAT
YOU REPRESENT AND SERVE, AND
THEREFORE, THE BROADER CITY OF
SEATTLE.
SO, THE WORK YOU DO EVERY DAY
IS VERY
IMPORTANT. AND I APPRECIATE YOU
AGAIN SHARING YOUR INSIGHTS WITH
US
TODAY.
THANK YOU, CHAIR, FOR
ASSEMBLING THIS TEAM OF
Y EXPERTS.
AND ESPECIALLY CEO LOVELL.
THANK YOU.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS AND
PERSPECTIVE. YOUR ORGANIZATION
OBVIOUSLY
HAS A FOOTPRINT IN VIRTUALLY
ALL THE COUNCIL DISTRICTS IN THE
CITY
OF SEATTLE AND THAT'S EXCELLENT
AND YOU'RE ALSO RIGHT IN MY OWN
COUNCIL COUNCIL DISTRICT IN
PIONEER
SQUARE.
LAST YEAR, WE MET.
WE'RE ABOUT DUE FOR ANOTHER
ONE.
SO WOULD LOVE TO COME VISIT
YOU ALL AGAIN.
I KNOW YOU'RE HERE IN YOUR
ROLE AS INTERIM CEO, CEO, OF
YOUR
ORGANIZATION, BUT I ALSO NOTE
THAT YOU ARE A COUNCIL MEMBER.
YOU'RE NOT HERE IN THAT
CAPACITY IN THE CITY OF SETAC,
BUT OFFICIAL COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO ANYWAYS, JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WHEREVER WE GO, THESE MAN
MADE LINES AND BOUNDARIES, WHEN
WE CROSS THEM, WE'RE ALWAYS
GOING TO BE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
PEOPLE ALWAYS RECOGNIZE US,
RIGHT?
ALL THAT IS TO SAY THANK
YOU. EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU.
AND THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE THAT.
COLLEAGUES, I SEE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON.
>> THANK YOU.
I WASN'T GOING TO SAY
ANYTHING. I'M FEELING PRETTY
OVERWHELMED.
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN
ELECTED
OFFICIAL, SORT OF LIKE A GLOBAL
WARMING SIZED PROBLEM.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH AND IT'S
IMPACTING SO MANY DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS, PARTNERS AND
ULTIMATELY, OUR PEOPLE.
AND SO JUST TRYING TO GET MY
MIND AROUND IT.
AND I COULD ASK INDIVIDUAL,
LIKE WHAT DOES THE CLOSURE OF
THIS
OFFICE REALLY MEAN? THAT'S JUST
ONE THING.
THEY CLOSED AN OFFICE.
DOES THAT MEAN ALL THE FUNDING
ASSOCIATED?
SOMETIMES, I JUST DON'T
KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.
WELL, I HAVE SOME FACES
AND NAMES TO GO TO FOR THE
QUESTIONS. I PUT OUT A RELEASE
THIS
AFTERNOON EXPRESSING GREAT
CONCERN ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF
THE DEPARTMENT, WELL, THE REGION
TEN OFFICE OF HHS AND ALSO,
STATING
THAT MY ONGOING COMMITMENT TO
MAINTAINING OR AT LEAST
FOCUSING ON SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER TREATMENT BECAUSE SORT
OF LIKE
TO ME, THAT SEEMS A PRECURSOR
PROBLEM.
BECAUSE IT LEADS TO SO
MANY OTHER ISSUES DOWN THE LINE.
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, ET CETERA.
DOESN'T NECESSARILY LEAD TO
IT, BUT IT FEEDS IN AND OTHER
HEALTH
PROBLEMS. THAT'S JUST ONE
EXAMPLE
OF SOMETHING I'M CLUEING INTO.
I GUESS THIS IS JUST BY WAY
OF ME SAYING I APPRECIATE
THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE
BRINGING FORWARD
AND IT IS, I'M HEARING IT.
I SEE THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE
HAVE BEFORE US TO MAKE REALLY
SMART DECISIONS GOING
FORWARD. SO, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
IF I MAY, I SHARE IN THAT
OVERWHELM.
THERE'S SO MUCH TO DIGEST IN
ALL OF THIS.
AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AND A LOT
OF FOLKS
ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY WORKING
TOGETHER TO TRY
AND RESOLVE THESE CHALLENGES.
SO CERTAINLY I SHARE IN
THE OVERWHELM AND APPRECIATE
DEEPLY THE INFORMATION BROUGHT
FORWARD HERE TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO REFLECT BACK SOME
OF THE THINGS I HEARD THEN JUST
ASK A FINAL QUESTION TO CLOSE US
OUT.
I'M REALLY THANKFUL TO KCHRA
FOR
BEING A PART OF THE
PRESENTATION.
IT'S A COUNTY WIDE
ENTITY THAT HAVE A FULL LOOK AT
OUR
HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
JUST WANT TO UPLIFT YOU ALL.
HAVE A UNIQUE POSITION.
HAVING THIS OVERSIGHT AND
REALLY ABLE TO PROVIDE DATA
ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING.
APPRECIATE
THE SPECIFICITY OF NUMBERS YOU
INCLUDED. IT'S POIGNANT WHEN
TALKING ABOUT THE SERVES ACROSS
THE
COC CONTINUUM.
3500 HOUSEHOLDS AND
4,490 INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE
TALKING
ABOUT.
SO THAT LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY
IS REALLY HELPFUL FOR OUR
DECISION
MAKING
MOVING FORWARD. WANT TO MAKE
SURE THE CITY
REMAINS A STRONG PARTNER.
AND LOOKING TO
ALSO APPRECIATION FOR HUNT
CAPITAL FOR BEING
A PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
WE'VE HEARD IN COMMUNITY
THE CHALLENGES OF MAKING
PROJECTS PENCIL AND HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT.
WITH WHAT YOU BROUGHT FORWARD
TODAY, A I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED
THAT IS A HARDER POSSIBILITY.
I MEAN, QUICK QUESTION TO THAT.
WHAT CAN WE TELL OUR RESIDENTS
ABOUT THE ABILITY FOR
BUILDING MORE HOUSING IN THE
NEAR FUTURE?
BECAUSE IT SEEMS UNLIKELY
BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE SHARED
TODAY.
>> JUST TO, WHAT CAN YOU
REPEAT THE QUESTION?
>> APPRECIATE THAT.
JUST LOOKING
AHEAD, I KNOW SO MANY OF OUR
RESIDENTS ARE EAGER
TO HAVE MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BUT WHAT IS THE
LIKELIHOOD OF MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BEING ABLE TO PENCIL IN
THE NEAR TERM?
>> THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION.
THE FIRST THING IN THE SPIRIT
OF BEING A LITTLE BIT
OVERWHELMED, I THINK THE
THING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT I
KIND OF ALLUDED TO IS THIS
A FEDERAL SOURCE.
HOUSING TAX CREDITS ARE
A FEDERAL SOURCE.
MAJORITY OF OUR SUBSIDIZED
HOUSING RELIES ON IT AS
A FEDERAL SOURCE.
SO THE, IF A LOCAL
JURISDICTION IS 30% OF THE
CAPITAL STACK
OFOF PROJECTS RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?
THEN THAT'S GOING
TO SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE
WAY WE BUILD HOUSING AND
LEVERAGE
ADDITIONAL SOURCES TO BUILD
HOUSING.
SO TO PROVIDE A LITTLE
GRATITUDE FOR THE POSITION YOU
ALL ARE
IN, AT A CERTAIN POINT, YOU ARE
IN
A POSITION TO
REPLACE 70% OF THE CAPITAL STACK
OF ALL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITHOUT US BEING ABLE
TO LEVERAGE IN THE SAME
CAPACITY. PROBABLY LESS IN THE
PRICING
GOES DOWN.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
ABOUT WHAT WE CAN TELL PEOPLE IS
IT'S
COMPLICATED. IT'S HARD TO
PRODUCE
HOUSING. AND IT REQUIRES A LOT
OF DIFFERENT FACTORS
COMING TOGETHER TO PRODUCE THAT
HOUSING INCLUDING REDUCING AS
THIS
BODY HAS TRIED TO DO, REGULATORY
BARRIERS, CREATING
STABILIZATION IN OUR EXISTING
PORTFOLIO, AND
ULTIMATELY INCREASING WAYS
TO YOU KNOW, PROVIDE
FOR OVERALL SUPPLY WHILE STILL
ADDRESSING
THE TRAUNCH OF
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING THAT NEEDS TO
SUPPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE
RESIDENTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
LOOKING TO ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY
PARTNERS, YOU SHARED A TON
OF INFORMATION AND WE'D LOVE IT
IN
WRITING.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO US.
I WOULD ECHO A REQUEST.
IF WE COULD GET THAT IN WRITING
FOR OUR RECORDS, THAT WOULD BE
AMAZING.
THEN I WANT TO THANK AS WELL
OUR TWO LOCAL HOUSING PROVIDERS
AND
HEARING FROM BOTH
PRESENTATIONSPRESENTATIONS
VARIABILITY IN TERMS
OF HOW MUCH SOME PROVIDERS MAY
BE MORE
AT RISK GIVEN JUST THE
CONTINUITY OF SERVICES AND
DEPENDENCY ON FEDERAL FUNDING
AROUND MEDICAID.
WE WANT TO AVOID A
SITUATION WHERE ANY OF OUR
PROJECTS
NEED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS OR
HAVING
STAFF EXITS.
WHICH WOULD CREATE MORE
PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGES AND
WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY
APPRISED AND
SUPPORT.
MY FINAL QUESTION TO CLOSE
US OUT FOR TODAY IS JUST WHAT
DO YOU NEED
MOST FROM THE CITY IN SHORT-TERM
AND LONG-TERM?
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE
YOU PAYING ATTENTION TO
THESE ISSUES AND WILL ENDORSE
THE FEELING
OF BEING OVERWHELMED BY
THE PROSPECT OF SUCH HUGE
CHANGE. YOU KNOW, I THINK
KNOWING THAT
OUR CITY LEADERS ARE GRAPPLING
WITH WHO'S BEFORE US AND
WHAT MAY BE COMING BEFORE US IS
HEARTENING TO ME.
I WOULD PRESS YOU TO CONSIDER
WHAT WE AS A COMMUNITY IF
THE WORST DOES
COME. IF WE'RE OUT HERE ON OUR
OWN, SEEMS TO ME WE DON'T HAVE
A CHOICE
TO SOME DEGREE BUT TO FIGURE OUT
HOW WE'RE GOING
TO MANAGE WITHOUT THE
FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP WE'VE
RELIED ON.
I HOPE THAT WOULD INCLUDE
CONSIDERING OTHER WAYS WE
CAN HELP PAY FOR THINGS USING
LOCAL RESOURCES WITH
THE UNDERSTANDING WE ALREADY
HAVE CHALLENGES
WITH OUR CITY BUDGET.
SO, I DON'T ENVY YOUR JOBS.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOU, YOU
KNOW, LEADING US AND THINKING
HARD
ABOUT ALL THESE KINDS OF ISSUES.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I THINK I PROBABLY SHARE
A LOT OF DANIEL'S
SENTIMENT. I THINK WHAT, I WOULD
RECOGNIZE
THE POWERFUL ROLE THAT A CITY
COUNCIL HAS IN SOME OF YOUR MOST
POWERFUL TOOLS IN
LEGISLATION AND BUDGET WRITING.
LIKE I WAS
SAYING WITH THIS IDEA OF THE
NEWTON'S CRADLE.
THE ENERGY IS GOING TO TRANSFER
FURTHER DOWN THE STREAM.
THAT LEVEL OF FEDERAL FUNDING
THAT'S AT RISK CANNOT
SIMPLY JUST BE ABSORBED
WITHOUT SOMETHING HAVING TO GO
AWAY.
THE ONLY
WAY TO PREVENT THAT I THINK IS
WITH A DIFFERENT
REVENUE SOURCE.
SO THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE
COMPENSATION. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT
ALL
THE DIFFERENT SOURCES WE HAVE.
I KNOW KING COUNTY IS LOOKING AT
THIS AS THEY LOOK AT BUDGET
CUTS. IF THINGS CHANGE AT THE
STATE, THEN THERE'S A NEW
WAY TO HAVE
REVENUE. IF THEY DON'T CHANGE
THERE, WE
NEED TO LOOK AT IT AT DIFFERENT
LEVELS AS MUNICIPALITIES.
DO WE HAVE TO ENACT SOMETHING
AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
IT'S KIND OF, NOVEMBER WILL
COME.
OCTOBER WILL COME.
AND YOU WILL BE PASSING A
BUDGET AND YOU'RE GOING TO DO
WHAT
YOU ALWAYS DO.
YOU'RE GOING TO REACH OUT.
ASK.
LOOK AT ALL THE
CHALLENGING THINGS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED OVER
THE PROCEEDING 12 MONTHS
AND THAT WILL BE A UNIQUE ONE.
YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE
A SPECIAL BUDGET SESSION JUST
TO BRUSH UP ON WHAT THE FEDERAL
IMPACTS HAVE BEEN AN
HOW THEY'RE PASSED BUT TO THE
CITY AND CITY
COUNCIL.
CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO
COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
INTERMEDIARIES CARRY A LOT OF
WATER FOR US AND GET YOU
THE ROLLED UP AGGREGATION OF
WHERE THEY THINK SMART
INVESTMENTS CAN
BE MADE.
SO WRITE GOOD LAWS AND PASS
GOOD BUDGETS AND I THINK WE'RE
GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN ON
OUR SIDE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND
HEALTHY.
>> I THINK I'LL ADD AS YOU
HAVE HEARD TODAY AND AS I'M
SURE
YOU ALREADY KNEW, THIS WORK
IS REALLY HARD.
THE WORK OF SERVING LOW INCOME
COMMUNITIES, ENSURING
THAT PEOPLE STAY HOUSED AND
HEALTHY.
AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING I COULD
ASK CITY COUNCIL TO DO IS TO
DOUBLE DOWN ON YOUR SUPPORT
FOR OUR LOW INCOME NEIGHBORS.
FOR OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO
BLAME ANYONE FOR HOW MUCH IT
COSTS.
AS WE'VE HEARD, THERE'S A LOT
OF SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES AND
WE'RE BEING THROWN A WHOLE LOT
MORE GOING BACK TO WHAT
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE WAS
SAYING.
WE
DIDN'T REALLY HAVE HOMELESSNESS
UNTIL THE REAGAN
ADMINISTRATION DISMANTLED AND
DEINSTITUTIONALIZED FOLKS WHO
WERE SUFFERING FROM A SLEW OF
ISSUES.
MASSIVE DISINVESTMENT IN PUBLIC
HOUSING, RIGHT?
THERE'S SO MANY FACTORS
THAT HAVE BEEN DECADES IN THE
MAKING AND THIS IS REALLY
ACCELERATING
THAT.
SO, I'LL RESPECT AND
UNDERSTANDING TO YOUR VERY HARD
JOBS, PLEASE CONTINUE TO FIGHT
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE
MOST.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED $40
BILLION.
I'M KIDDING.
BUT I THINK THE THING
THAT WE CAN DO IMMEDIATELY IS
FOR FEDERAL INITIATIVES THAT DO
FEEL
A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE
SCOPE,
PUTTING YOUR NAME ON FEDERAL
INITIATIVES DOES MAKE A BIG
DIFFERENCE AS LOCAL OFFICIALS.
YOU MENTIONED A LOW
INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT
EXTENSION.
EVEN SOMETHING LIKE
THAT WHICH IS BIPARTISAN,
FINDING WAYS TO
SUPPORT THAT AND PUTTING
YOUR NAME ON IT, AGAIN, I'VE
SEEN THAT GO A LONG WAY FOR
REPRESENTATIVES.
THE OTHER THING THAT I THINK
YOU KNOW, JUST MARKET WISE, I
KNOW
THAT I AM TALKING ABOUT A LOT
OF THESE MARKET FORCES
AND WALL STREET AND BANKS AND
STUFF, BUT
MAKING YOUR LOCAL JURISDICTION
AS STABLE AS POSSIBLE IN TERMS
OF UNDERWRITING DEALS.
I'M HAPPY TO GO INTO SPECIFICS
OFFLINE WITH THAT.
THERE'S CERTAINLY THINGS ON
THE TABLE YOU'RE ALREADY
WORKING ON
THAT HELP UNDERWRITING AND
RISK BASED PRICING AND DEBT
SIZING.
THE LAST THING IS WE'VE SEEN,
I KIND OF MENTIONED THIS, BUT
FROM THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
OF SEEING ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS
THE
NATION.
WE'VE SEEN SEVERAL
PRETTY DRAMATIC AND HORRIFIC
DOWNFALLS OF PERMANENT HOUSING
AND SERVICES WHO ARE
PROVIDING HOUSING
FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE. TO SAY
OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE
OUR GREATEST ASSET IN SEATTLE.
NOWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY DO
WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS IN
SEATTLE, LIKE WE HAVE IN
WASHINGTON, AND MAKING
SURE THEY'RE STABLE BEFORE ALL
ELSE SO WHEN WE COME OUT OF
THIS, WHICH I THINK WE WILL, WE
STILL HAVE THEM AND THEY CAN
STILL
DO THE WORK THEY WANT TO DO.
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE.
THERE'S REALLY NO
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS IN THE
ENTIRE COUNTRY.
SO, SUPPORTING THAT WORK.
>> LISTEN, I'VE SAID MY PIECE
HERE, BUT I'LL REITERATE FOR
EVERYONE.
THE HEADLINE FOR KCRHA IS WE'VE
GOT A 2025 PROBLEM WITH 2019
FUNDING.
AND THERE'S NOT BUT.
AND WE, AS AN ORGANIZATION, MUST
BE MORE EFFICIENT FINANCIALLY
THAN EVER BEFORE.
AND SO WE'RE LOOKING CARRY
FORWARD.
REDUCE CARRY
FORWARD SIGNIFICANTLY.
WORKING WITH HSD, THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE, YOUR BUDGET OFFICE.
THIS ORGANIZATION IS BEING
HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUBLIC
DOLLARS.
THAT WAS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A REQUIREMENT
.
AND PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL
HAVE HELD US TO THIS STANDARD AS
WELL.
THANK YOU.
BUT WE WILL HOLD OURSELVES
IN THAT STANDARD
AS WELL.
ESPECIALLY IN TIMES SUCH AS
THESE.
SO, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR
CONTINUED WORK TOGETHER AS WE
NAVIGATE
THESE CHALLENGES. THANK YOU.
AND WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO
OUR SECOND ITEM OF BUSINESS.
WILL THE CLERK READ ITEM
TWO INTO THE RECORD.
>> ITEM TWO.
WELCOMING CITY RESOLUTION FOR
BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
>> AND AS SOME OF OUR
COLLEAGUES COME UP, I'LL SPEAK
A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT WHAT'S BEFORE YOU
ALL TODAY.
COLLEAGUES, AS I MENTIONED
IN BRIEFING EARLIER, THIS WEEK,
I
BELIEVE, WHAT IS TIME.
THIS IS NOT FOR ACTION OF ANY
KIND, BUT MERELY TO START SOME
DISCUSSION. MY OFFICE HAS BEEN
WORKING
ALONGSIDE A NUMBER
OF ORGANIZATIONS SERVING
OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS.
AND WE WANTED TO PULL TOGETHER
A RESOLUTION THAT SPEAKS TO AND
IS
RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEED.
THIS WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR
PACKET. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO
OUR
PRESENTERS AT STABLE.
IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE
YOURSELF BY STATING YOUR NAME
AND
ORGANIZATION÷÷ INTO THE
MICROPHONE.
>> I'M THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF KIDS NEED OF DEFENSES SEATTLE
OFFICE.
>> I'M DIRECTING ATTORNEY AT
THE
NORTHWESTERN RIGHTS PROJECT.
GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> HELLO, I'M THE POLICY
MANAGER WITH THE WASHINGTON
IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY NETWORK.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO.
I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH ONE
AMERICA.
>> AND THANK YOU ALL FOR
BEING HERE TODAY.
I BELIEVE JASMINE WITH
CENTRAL STAFF IS GOING TO KICK
US
OFF WITH AN OVERVIEW AND
BRIEFING ON
THE RESOLUTION.
>> YES.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR,
AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M YOUR COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF
AND THANKS TO THE CHAIR FOR
YOUR FLEXIBILITY IN ALLOWING ME
TO
PRESENT REMOTELY AS I HAVE
A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT NECESSITATED
ME TO BEBE THIS AFTERNOON.
I'LL BE PRESENTING
THE COMMITMENT TO BE A WELCOMING
CITY.
I'LL BEGIN BY VERY
BRIEFLY TOUCHING ON THE
BACKGROUND
TO THIS RESOLUTION AND THEN GO
INTO A SUMMARY OF THE DRAFT AND
FINALLY, TOUCH ON NEXT STEPS.
THIS WAS ALL PRESENTED IN DETAIL
IN THE PREVIOUS SELECT QUESTION,
BUT AS A REFRESHER, THE
COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE HAVE
EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THROUGH A
NUMBER
OF RESOLUTIONS AND EXECUTIVE
ORDERS OVER THE YEARS.
MOST RECENTLY, THE
EXECUTIVE ISSUED A MAYORAL
DIRECTIVE ON
JANUARY 10th REGARDING
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
TO
REENFORCE
SEATTLE'S COMMITMENT TO
SEATTLE'S PRIVACY RIGHTS
WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
THE EXECUTIVE RECENTLY ISSUED AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ACCESS
LANGUAGE ACCESS AND
ACCESSIBILITY.
WE HAVE HEARD TODAY IN
THE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE AND OTHER
FORUMS THAT THERE'S AN
INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF
VOLATILITY FOR COMMUNITY- BASED
ORGANIZATIONS AND THERE'S THIS
EVER SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
IN ADDITION TO FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL CUTS TO
SERVICES. LOCALLY, OUR REVENUE
LANDSCAPE
IS SHIFTING AND WE ARE FACING
A SHORTFALL FOR 2025 AND BEYOND.
AT THE MARCH 6th SELECT
QUESTION,
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
EXPRESSED A DESIRE FOR
ASSURANCES FROM THE
CITY THAT POLICIES AN
INVESTMENTS
SUPPORTING IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES,
AND OTHER VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS WOULD CONTINUE.
SO WE HAVE THIS DRAFT
RESOLUTION.
IT FIRST RECOGNIZES AND
REAFFIRMS ONGOING CITY POLICY
COMMITMENTS. I'VE
SUMMARIZED ON HERE FOR REFERENCE
BUT IN THE INTEREST
OF TIME, I WON'T READ THIS
ENTIRE
SLIDE, BUT BASICALLY,
ASSURES OUR COMMITMENT TO BEING
A
WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE
CITY FOR IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE
OUR CITY SERVICES ACCESSIBLE.
THAT WE'LL NOT ASK
ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR
THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING SERVICES.
WE'RE NOT, WON'T MAKE ANY
RECORD OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
AND WE WON'T COOPERATE OR
ASSIST
WITH REGISTRATION
OR SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS THAT
ARE
INCONSISTENT WITH
THE CONSTITUTION OR U.S.
LAW. SPD WILL NOT ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL
ADDRESS OFFICER AUTHORITY FOR
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE
STATE'S KEY
WASHINGTON WORKING ACT.
AGAIN, CITY EMPLOYEES WON'T
HONOR REQUESTS FOR
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
WITHOUT A WARRANT.
THE RESOLUTION ALSO REQUESTS
FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IT REQUESTS THAT DEPARTMENTS
TRAIN EMPLOYEES ON CURRENT
POLICIES AND THAT'S IN THE
DIRECTIVE.
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT TRY
TO
PREVENT IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES
FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
OF ALL STAGES IN THE CRIMINAL
LEGAL PROCESS AND TO ESTABLISH A
TEAM
TO MONITOR FEDERAL ACTIONS
THAT MAY TARGET IMMIGRANTS
AND REFUGEES AND TO PREPARE
LEGAL
STRATEGIES IN RESPONSE.
IT ALSO REQUESTS THAT ALL CITY
FACILITIES POSTED SIGNAGE AREAS
THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO
THE PUBLIC REGARDING
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT,
WHICH SAID THAT IF I.C.E. TRIES
TO ENTER INTO A SPACE THAT IS
NOT
PUBLIC, THAT THEY SHOULD
ENACT PROTOCOL OR PROTOCOLS, YOU
KNOW,
CONTACTING THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE, ET CETERA.
AND SO THIS WOULD ALLOW
CITY EMPLOYEES TO IN SOME CASES
WHERE
IT'S NOT CLEAR WHERE SPACE IS
PRIVATE TO EFFECTUATE THAT
DIRECTIVE.
IT ALSO REQUESTS AN
ANNUAL UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE
OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS
IN CONSULTATION WITH
COMMUNITIES SUCH AS CONTRACTED
ORGANIZATIONS AND IMMIGRANT AN
REFUGEE
COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT
THE RESOLUTION OF POLICIES
AND PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT
IMMIGRANT REFUGEES.
AND FINALLY, THE
RESOLUTION DRAFT CONTAINS
EXPRESSIONS
OF COMMITMENT TO ADD FUNDING
FOR THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS.
$300,000 IN TOTAL. TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL
CAPACITY FOR ALIRA TO RESPOND TO
EMERGING
NEEDS. IT ALSO EXPRESSES A
COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN POLICIES
AND INVESTMENTS THAT SUPPORT
THE COMMUNITY AND OFFICE OF
LABOR
STANDARDS.
NOW, THESE ARE NOT LEGALLY
BINDING.
AS WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT
A RESOLUTION HERE.
BUT THEY WOULD BE EFFECTUATED
BY BUDGET LEGISLATION OR
COUNCIL BUDGET ACTIONS SUCH AS
IN
THE MID YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL.
AS THIS RESOLUTION IS
JUST IN DRAFT FORM, IT IS
ANTICIPATED TO BE FINALIZED IN
TIME FOR
THE NEXT MEETING ON MAY 16th
WHERE IT IS PLANNED TO BE
DISCUSSED
AND POSSIBILITY VOTED ON.
THAT'S THE PRESENTATION.
HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS OR DEFER
TO THE CHAIR AND OTHER
FOLKS ON THE PANEL.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR CENTRAL
STAFF.
I WILL MOVE US TO OUR
COMMUNITY BASED PARTNERS HERE
WITH US
TODAY. AND WE CALLED IN A NUMBER
OF
THESE FOLKS.
OH, I DO SEE A HAND FROM COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON.
>> PERHAPS I CAN, I HAD A
QUESTION ABOUT A COUPLE
OF SECTIONS OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU, JASMINE.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO
TURN IT OVER TO SOME OF OUR
PARTNERS
WHO HAVE COME TODAY.
THESE ARE PARTNERS THAT HAVE
PROVIDES INPUT ON
THIS RESOLUTION AND ALSO ARE
WORKING ON THE GROUND IN THIS
ISSUE
AND CAN SPEAK BEST TO THE
REALITIES OF WHAT ARE HAPPENING.
I'D LIKE TO START US OFF WITH
EDITH WITH ONE AMERICA.
I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A HARD
STOP AT 4:00 TO I WANT TO
GIVE YOU SOME TIME BEFORE YOU
HAVE
TO HEAD OUT.
>> SO SORRY I HAVE TO LEAVE AT
4:00, BUT IF YOU SEE ME WALK
OUT, THAT'S WHY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME SPEAK TODAY ON BEHALF OF ONE
AMERICA.
ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS EDITH
REYES.
IN MY ROLE AS AN ORGANIZER, I'M
ON THE GROUND
ORGANIZING IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES
THROUGHOUT SEATTLE.
SO I'M CONSTANTLY HEARING
FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THE
WAYS THAT THE FEDERAL POLICIES
ARE
IMPACTING OUR
COMMUNITIES. RIGHT NOW,
IMMIGRANTS ARE IN
FEAR.
I.C.E. RAIDS ARE
HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY,
HERE IN OUR
STATE IN WASHINGTON, AND IN
SEATTLE.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED
THE LEADERSHIP OF YOU ALL,
COUNCIL
MEMBERS, TO MAKE SEATTLE A
CITY
THAT ACTIVELY STANDS WITH
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
I'LL BEGIN BY STATING OUR
SUPPORT FOR THIS
RESOLUTION AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE'S FIRST
STEP TOWARDS ENSURING THE
SAFETY,
PROTECTION, AND
RENEWED COMMITMENT TO WELCOMING
AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTING
IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEES DURING A TIME
WHERE IMMIGRANTS CONTINUE TO
FACE ATTACKS AT THE NATIONAL
LEVEL.
AS WE ARE SEEING INCREASED
I.C.E. ENFORCEMENT AND VARIOUS
ANTI IMMIGRANT POLICIES.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR SEATTLE TO CONTINUE TO BE A
LEADER IN THE NATIONAL, AT
THE NATIONAL LEVEL AS A
WELCOMING CITY FOR IMMIGRANTS
AND
REFUGEES.
ONE AMERICA EXTENDS OUR
APPRECIATION FOR THE RESOLUTION
AS A WHOLEWHOLE I'LL STARTSTART
SECTION FOUR THAT CITY
REAFFIRMS
THE STATE LAW KEEP WASHINGTON
WORKING THAT PROHIBITS LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM HANDING
OVER INFORMATION TO FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
AND AFFIRMING CITY EMPLOYEES
WILL NOT COOPERATE OR ASSIST
WITH ANY REGISTRATION
OR SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS
OR POLICIES THAT TARGET
IMMIGRANTS
AND REFUGEES.
THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT.
IT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT
OUR CITY WILL NOT TOLERATE
OR COOPERATE WITH
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS,
WHICH IS
WHAT IMMIGRANTS IN SEATTLE NEED
TO HEAR IN THESE MOMENTS.
IT PROVIDES REASSURANCE TO
OUR COMMUNITY THAT PARENTS CAN
SEND THEIR KIDS TO
SCHOOL. OR TO NOT WORRY ABOUT
GOING
TO WORK AND TO COME BACK HOME SO
THE FAMILIES OR EVEN THAT
IMMIGRANT COLLEGE STUDENTS
FEEL SAFE ON THEIR CAMPUSES.
THESE ARE SAUL PRECAUTIONS THAT
IMMIGRANTS ARE FACING NOW
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
FURTHER MORE, TAKING MEASURE
TO IMPLEMENT THE COURTS OPEN
TO ALL ACT IN POLICIES TO
PROTECT
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
IS VITAL BECAUSE IT ENSURES THE
COURTS ARE FOR IMMIGRANTS
REGARDLESS
OF STATUS AND PROTECTS THE
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF ALL.
TO THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE AFFAIRS IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
IS CUTTING FUNDING FOR
LEGAL DEFENSE THAT IMPACTS THE
WORK AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
DO
TO DEFEND
IMMIGRANTS. THERE'S A NEED FOR
LEGAL
DEFENSE FUNDING TO CONTINUE
TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO CUT
CRUCIAL PROGRAMS THAT OUR
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES RELY
UPON ON THEIR DAY-TO- DAY LIVES.
THIS MAKES IT EVEN MORE
VITAL THAN
EVER FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO
MAINTAIN AND
EXPAND THE PROGRAMS PROVIDED
THROUGH THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE AFFAIRSAFFAIRS GIVE
OUR
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THESE
UNCERTAIN TIMES.
IT IS PIVOTAL THAT THE CITY
OF SEATTLE CONTINUE TO INVEST
IN DEPORTATION DEFENSE,
CITIZENSHIP
PROGRAMS, ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNING AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
AND
MANY OTHER PROGRAMS OUR
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES UTILIZE TO
THRIVE
IN A PLACE WE ALL CALL HOME.
WE SUPPORT LABOR STANDARDS FOR
LOW WAGE WORKERS REGARDLESS
OF IMMIGRATION STATUS AND THE
CITY MAINTAINING INVESTMENTS IN
THE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS.
IMMIGRANT WORKERS FORM
AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE
WORKFORCE IN SEATTLE AND SHOULD
BE PROTECTED AT THE WORKPLACE.
IMMIGRANT WORKERS SHOULD
HAVE
ACCESS TO THE SERVICES THE
OFFICE OF LABOR AND
STANDARDS OFFERS AND SAY THAT
THEIR INFORMATION IS KEPT
PRIVATE.
WORKERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH
ARE AFRAID TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE
OF
THE RAIDS THEY'RE HEARING
HAPPENING AROUND OUR CITY.
AND ARE SCARED TO USE
RESOURCES BECAUSE OF THE
RETALIATION THEY'LL RECEIVE DUE
TO THEIR
IMMIGRATION STATUS.
ONE AMERICA AS A WHOLE
SUPPORTS THE RESOLUTION AND I
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING
HERE.
NEXT TO
WEISSEN.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCIL MEMBERS.
STAND BEFORE YOU NOT JUST AS
A POLICY MANAGER OF
THE WASHINGTON IMMIGRANT
SOLIDARITY
NETWORK, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
WITNESSED THE COURAGE OF
FAMILIES THAT HAVE RISKED
EVERYTHING TO
BUILD LIVES ROOTED IN DIGNITY.
LAST MONTH, I SHARED
THE TRENDS OF DEPORTATIONS THAT
OUR
COMMUNITIES ARE FACING.
TODAY, I ASK YOU TO
LISTEN TO THE HEART BEATS BEHIND
THOSE
NUMBERS. THE STORIES OF PARENTS,
WORKERS, AND CHILDREN WHO EMBODY
THE RESILIENCE OF OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES.
THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS
NOT JUST ABSTRACT.
IT IS A LIFELINE FOR THE 35% OF
KING COUNTY WORKFORCE WHO ARE
IMMIGRANTS. THE DISHWASHERS WHO
KEPT RESTAURANTS RUNNING DURING
LOCKDOWNS. THE CARE GIVERS WHO
CRADLE OUR
ELDERS' HANDS AS MEMORIES FADE.
IN 2025 SO FAR, REQUESTS FOR
NETWORK, THAT OUR NETWORK
HAS RECEIVED FOR COMPANY
WIDE SUPPORT HAVE DOUBLED AND
CALLS TO OUR HOT LINE HAVE
SPIKED.
EACH CALL REPRESENTING DAMAGE TO
ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. A REPORT
RELEASED TODAY FROM
THE BUDGET AND POLICY
CENTER PROJECTS STANDS TO LOSE
$100 MILLION PER YEAR IN STATE
AND LOCAL TAX REVENUES IF JUST
10% OF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE
IN WASHINGTON ARE DEPORTED.
YET AS WE SPEAK, FAMILIES
ARE PRICED OUT OF THEIR HOMES
NOT
JUST BY RENT HIKES BUT BY
THE SUFFOCATING OF KNOCK ON THE
DOOR DEPORTATION.
YESTERDAY ALONE, 37 WORKERS WERE
KIDNAPPED BY I.C.E. AT
THEIR WORKPLACE WHILE WORKING
AND BUILDING ROOFS THAT SHELTER
US.
THAT'S 37 FAMILIES
WHOSE CHILDREN CAME TO AN EMPTY
HOME.
37 FAMILIES LOSING AN INCOME
EARNER.
37 FAMILIES WHO CALLED THE
DETOR PATIENCE HOT LINE
REPORTING THEIR LOVED ONE
MISSING.
TO TRULY HONOR
SEATTLE'S WELCOMING CITY
PLEDGE, WE MUST MOVE BEYOND
WORDS AND
INTO ACTION THAT INVESTS IN
HUMAN
INFRASTRUCTURE. THE $2.8 BILLION
PAID
ANNUALLY BY WASHINGTON'S
UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AND TAXES
DESERVES
REINVESTMENT.
WHEN I.C.E. SHOWS UP AT A
FAMILY'S HOME, IT IS VITAL
OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNOW WHAT
OUR RIGHTS ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN
DO IF THEY'RE VIOLATED.
WHEN A FATHER HAS TO ATTEND A
COURT HEARING AND IMMIGRATION
CHECK- INS, HAVING THE SUPPORT
OF A
COMPANY PROVIDE SUPPORT SO THAT
THEY DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND
ALONE.
WHEN A
MOTHER IS DETAINED SUDDENLY IN
OUR HOME, AT A
STORE, OR WORKPLACE,
RAPID RESPONSE TEAMS CAN NOTIFY
THE REST OF THE FAMILY AND MAKE
SURE HER CHILDREN HAVE SOMEWHERE
SAFE TO
BE. WHEN AN ASYLUM SEEKER IS
TRYING TO NAVIGATE A COMPLEX
LEGAL SYSTEM IN A NEW COUNTRY,
LEGAL REPRESENTATION COULD GUIDE
THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS SO THEY
HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO WIN
THEIR
CASE.
WHEN THE BREADWINNER OF A
FAMILY IS DETAINED AND THE ONLY
OPTION TO BE FREED NOTORIOUS FOR
SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS IS
BY PAYING A $15,000 BOND,
A COMMUNITY BOND FUND CAN
SUPPORT SO THE FAMILY DOESN'T
HAVE
TO DECIDE BETWEEN GIVING UP A
HOME OR LETTING THEIR LOVED ONE
SIT IN DETENTION.
WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING
THROUGH ONE OF THE
MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES OF
THEIR LIFE,
HAVING A NUMBER TO CALL
WHERE THEY CAN SPEAK IN THE
LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND AND
RECEIVE
NOT JUST ACCURATE AND VETTED
INFORMATION, BUT ALSO EMPATHY,
SUPPORT, AND AFFIRMATION
OF THEIR HUMANITY IS INVALUABLE.
IN PASSING THE RESOLUTION
AND COMMITTING TO EXPANDING
INVESTMENTS INVESTMENTS FOR THIS
WORK,
THE CITY IS MAKING ITS PROMISE A
REALITY.
WE ASK YOU PASS THIS
WITH URGENCY AND TO FUND IT WITH
THE
VERACITY OF A COMMUNITY
THAT
KNOWS SOLIDARITY IS THE ONLY
HOME WE CANNOT LOSE.
THE TIME FOR HALF MEASURES HAS
PASSED.
OUR COMMUNITIES
DESERVE NOTHING LESS THAN BOLD
BELONGING
AND LEADERSHIP FROM YOU.
NOT JUST OPEN ARMS BUT OPEN
FUTURES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
NORTHWESTERN RIGHTS PROJECT.
>> THANKS.
WELL, WE'RE HERE CONTINUING THE
OVERWHELM FROM THE LAST PANEL.
YOU KNOW, THERE IS NOT GOOD NEWS
I THINK TO BE HAD.
AND I WANT TO ECHO A LOT OF
WHAT MY COLLEAGUES FROM ONE
AMERICA, FROM WEISSEN HAVE SAID.
I CAN TELL YOU, WE WORK ACROSS
OUR STATE OFFICE IN SEATTLE.
OUR CENTRAL OFFICE.
WE ALSO HAVE AN OFFICE IN
TACOMA. SINCE INAUGURATION DAY,
WHEN
THERE WERE AROUND 800 PEOPLE
DETAINED THERE, THERE'S NOW YOU
KNOW, AROUND 1400 PEOPLE.
SO IT'S A DRAMATIC INCREASE.
THOSE DETENTIONS ARE ACROSS
THE STATE INCLUDING FROM
SEATTLE.
SO, I JUST WANT TO YOU KNOW,
AND SO IN ADDITION TO
COMMUNITIES
BEING UNDER ATTACK FROM
IMMIGRATION, YOU KNOW, THE
FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS THE
ORGANIZATION DOING THE
REPRESENTATION, IN IMMIGRATION
PROCEEDINGS, YOU
AREN'T GUARANTEED
REPRESENTATION
UNLIKE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
SO THE VAST MAJORITY OF
PEOPLE ARE UNREPRESENTED.
THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE AT
THE DETENTION CENTER.
WHERE AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IF
SUDDENLY, AN INCOME, THE
INCOME EARNER IS DETAINED AND
UNABLE
TO WORK, IT BECOMES
EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT TO
AFFORD AN
ATTORNEY AT THAT TIME.
RIGHT?
AND SO THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY
OF PEOPLE AT THE
DETENTION CENTER ARE
UNREPRESENTED.
HAVING AN ATTORNEY MAKES ALL THE
DIFFERENCE ON A CASE.
THE DATA OUT THERE SUGGESTS.
IT'S 1100% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE
A SUCCESSFUL INCOME ON THE
CASE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY.
IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE
INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED AND
HAVING
SOMEONE BY YOUR SIDE TO NAVIGATE
THEM IS SO IMPORTANT.
SO IN ADDITION TO AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR
COMMUNITIES ARE BEING
PUT UP AT DRAMATICALLY
INCREASED RATE FROM BEFORE THE
INAUGURATION, WE'RE ALSO AT
A PLACE WHERE THE FUNDING FOR
THIS
ESSENTIAL WORK IS ALSO
DISAPPEARING.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S TRUE.
A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS GET
SOME FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
I KNOW MY COLLEAGUE FROM
KIND WILL TALK MORE AS WELL
ABOUT
THIS.
BUT THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COMES
THROUGH
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
REPRESENT
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN.
THAT MONEY WAS,
THAT CONTRACT WAS ENDED A FEW
WEEKS AGO.
THERE'S BEEN LITIGATION AROUND
IT.
A TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER WAS GRANTED,
BUT THAT IS ONLY
TEMPORARY. THAT'S A HUGE AMOUNT
OF
MONEY AND AGAIN, WHAT THAT MEANS
TO BRING IT DOWN TO DETAILS,
THERE'S HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS
OF KIDS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO
HAVE LAWYERS TO BE AT THEIR SIDE
IN
COURT.
SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU
KNOW, A 10-YEAR- OLD
WHO'S SITTING IN COURT
REPRESENTING THEMSELVES AGAINST
AN I.C.E.
PROSECUTOR, A LAWYER.
TRYING TO MAKE THEIR CASE FOR
WHY THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO
STAY IN THE UNITED STATES.
THAT SYSTEM IS OUTRAGEOUS AND
OFFENSIVE.
THAT IS NOT YOUR DOING, RIGHT?
YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
THAT SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE IN A PLACE TO,
VANESSA MENTIONED A PLACE TO
DO MORE THAN SAY, TO SAY
THAT SEATTLE IS A WELCOMING
CITY,
BUT SHOW THAT THROUGH THE
BUDGET.
THAT IS HOW YOU
KNOW, GOVERNMENTAL BODIES
CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR VALUES IS
THROUGH THEIR BUDGET AND THIS
IS A TIME AND I AM FULLY AWARE
THAT THIS IS A TOUGH TIME
BUDGETWISE FOR EVERYONE, RIGHT?
WE JUST HEARD THAT FROM
THE PREVIOUS PANEL IN HOUSING.
BUT THIS A TIME WHERE YOU
KNOW, WHERE THE CITY CAN STEP UP
AND FIND WAYS TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
IT'S INCREDIBLE IN TERMS OF
WHERE YOU'RE PUTTING
MONEY. THE DIFFERENCE IN A KID
THAT HAS
SOMEONE THERE.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN, THERE
ARE PRETTY POWERFUL LAWS FOR
KIDS IF THEY'RE ABLE TO ACCESS
AN ATTORNEY.
WITH REPRESENTATION, WE SEE
INCREDIBLY HIGH RATES OF
SUCCESS IN THOSE CASES.
WE'RE ABLE TO GET KIDS
GREEN CARDS THAT ARE THEN ABLE
TO
GO TO SCHOOL, TO COLLEGE.
BECOME CITIZENS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING
FOR AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
THAT
YOU CAN MAKE.
OUR ORGANIZATION STANDS TO
LOSE OVER $2 MILLION THROUGH
THAT FEDERAL CUT.
THERE'S ALSO OTHER FEDERAL
FUNDING, SOME OF WHICH HAS
BEEN TAKEN AWAY FOR A PERIOD OF
TIME.
THAT'S CERTAINLY AT RISK.
SO THIS IS A DRAMATIC NEED.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO, YOU
KNOW, I DON'T
WANT TO UNDERSELL THE OTHER
PARTS OF THE RESOLUTION.
I THINK INCREASED TRAINING IS
IMPORTANT.
WE SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF
OUR STATE WHERE DESPITE IT
BEING ILLEGAL UNDER STATE LAW,
OTHER COUNTIES AND LOCALITIES
SHARE INFORMATION WITH FEDERAL
LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
SO ENSURING THAT CITY
EMPLOYEES INCLUDING LAW
ENFORCEMENT
ARE TRAINED IN WHAT STATE
LAW REQUIRES WHICH IS NOT
SHARING
OR COLLECTING THAT INFORMATION
WITH FEDERAL CIVIL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
YOU KNOW, AND SO I JUST WANT
TO END I THINK AND THERE IS SO
MUCH
TO SAY.
THERE IS THIS IS THE MOMENT
WHERE OUR CITY CAN STEP UP.
OUR CITY HAS THE CAPACITY TO
ENSURE THAT ITS RESIDENTS
ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE
PROCESS.
THAT FOLKS WHAT
GO, YOU KNOW, THE IMMIGRATION
COURT, YOU
KNOW, WE CAN SORT OF SEE IT FROM
HERE.
IT'S JUST DOWN THE
HILL. THAT FOLKS GOING TO THAT
COURT
AREN'T LEFT ALONE TO
NAVIGATE THAT
PROCESS. AND IF SEATTLE
RESIDENTS ARE
TAKEN FROM THEIR
FAMILIES AND TO THE DETENTION
CENTER IN TACOMA,
THAT THERE'S SOMEONE THERE
WHO'S
GOING TO TRY TO GET THEM
RELEASED AND GIVE THEM THE
BEST CHANCE THEY HAVE TO GET OUT
AND GET BACK WITH THEIR
FAMILIES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
AND OUR FINAL PANEL, FINAL,
WORDS.
FINAL PANELIST FOR TODAY IS A
REPRESENTATIVE FROM KIND.
AND I KNOW COLLEAGUES WE'VE
HEARD FROM HER BEFORE,
BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT
KIND
IS COMING BEFORE US AND A MAJOR
REASON FOR BRINGING THEM
FORWARD IS AS A RESULT OF SOME
INFORMATION RELEARNED FROM
THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND
WE FURTHER DISCUSSED IN COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA'S COMMUNITY AROUND
THE IMPACTS TO KIND. TURN IT
OVER TO YOU TO SHARE A
BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M MANAGING DIRECTOR OF --
WHICH IS KIND'S SEATTLE OFFICE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING
ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL
YOU ABOUT THE NEEDS OF
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN IN
SEATTLE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN THAT
I SERVE AND THAT MY LEGAL STAFF
HAVE BEEN SERVING BUT I'M ALSO
HERE, IF I MAY, A AS
COMMUNITY MEMBER OF SEATTLE.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
MIGRATE AND ENTER THE U.S.
FEDERAL
CUSTODY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALONE
AT THAT TIME.
THEY'RE MINORS AT THAT TIME
AND THEY ARE WITHOUT
PARENTS AND THEY ARE WITHOUT
GUARDIANS. WHEN CHILDREN ARE
RELEASED
FROM FEDERAL CUSTODY, ALMOST ALL
ARE PLACED INTO REMOVAL
PROCEEDINGS, DEPORTATION
PROCEEDINGS.
DATA SHOWS THAT
IMMIGRATION JUDGES ARE ALMOST
100
TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GRANT
RELIEF FOR
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
WITH LEGAL COUNSEL THAN
THOSE WITHOUT.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ARE NOT
SOLELY AT THE BORDER AND
IN FEDERAL CUSTODY.
MOST UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ARE
RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY
TO ADULT CARE GIVERS WHILE
THEIR IMMIGRATION
PROCEEDINGS OR DEPORTATION
PROCEEDINGS PEND
FOR MANY YEARS.
THEY LIVE IN SEATTLE.
THEY GO TO SCHOOL HERE.
THEY HAVE FRIENDS HERE.
THEY ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
ON MARCH 21st, THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF ISSUED A
NOTICE
OFOF TOTAL TERMINATION FOR THE
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PROGRAM.
KIND IS ONE OF MORE THAN 100
SUB GRANTEES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY OF LEGAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS OF
THIS CONTRACT THAT PROVIDES
LEGAL
REPRESENTATION OR OVER 26,000
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND
YOUTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE
RELEASED, WHO ARE IN OR
RELEASED FROM THE OFFICE OF
REFUGEE
RESETTLEMENT.
KIND SEATTLE OFFICE
DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE
ORIGINAL
MODELS THAT SERVES, THAT HAS
SERVED
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
SINCE AUGUST OF 2003 IS CLOSING
NEXT MONTH ON MAY 23rd.
THAT'S MY LAST DAY.
AT KIND, THAT'S THE LAST DAY
THAT THE SEATTLE OFFICE WILL
REMAIN OPEN.
AS OF MONDAY OF THIS WEEK,
MY ENTIRE TEAM WAS LAID OFF
EXCEPT FOR THREE ATTORNEYS TO
REMAIN FOR
THE NEXT MONTH TO WIND DOWN
CASES, WHICH MEANS WITHDRAWING
FROM HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN'S
CASES.
AND TELLS HUNDREDS OF
CHILDREN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE
ATTORNEYS.
KIND SEATTLE OFFICERS MORE THAN
400 UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND 300
OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE
REPRESENTED
BY KIND ATTORNEYS.
WE ARE WITHDRAWING FROM ALMOST
250
CHILDREN'S CASES AND THERE'S
ONLY 55 OF THOSE CASES THAT
REMAINS THAT WE ARE
NOT WITHDRAWING FROM AND THAT IS
BECAUSE THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THAT IS BECAUSE OF OYRA'S
INVESTMENT IN THE
REPRESENTATION OF UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN AND
IMMIGRANTS IN CHILDREN AND OF
THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMUNITY HERE.
WE ARE NOT WITHDRAWING FROM
55 CHILDREN AND YOUTH CASES
BECAUSE
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THERE ARE ALSO OVER
60 ADDITIONAL CLIENTS THAT
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE'S LEGAL SERVICES.
THEY FALL WITHIN THE ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
OF THE LEGAL
DEFENSE NETWORK. IF FUNDING IS
INCREASED,
WHICH THIS RESOLUTION PROPOSES
TO
DO, IT'S
POSSIBLE TO ALSO MAINTAIN
REPRESENTATION FOR
THESE CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE
REALLY NEED LOCAL FUNDING TO
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN
AND
YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THESE ARE CHILDREN AND YOUTH
WHO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED, ABUSED
OR
NEGLECTED, WHO ARE
FLEEING TERRIBLE THINGS IN THEIR
HOME
COUNTRIES.
WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH SO MUCH TO
BE HERE AND STAY HERE.
THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR
OUR COMMUNITY TO ABANDON THEM.
AND THIS IS NOT EVEN
A ACCOUNTING FOR ALL THE
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
IN WASHINGTON STATE WITHOUT
COUNSEL.
IN 2024, 1,460 CHILDREN WERE
RELEASED INTO OUR STATE.
OVER 7,871 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN
RELEASED INTO WASHINGTON STATE
SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2015.
CENT VISITS TO THE
IMMIGRATION COURT JUST DOWN THE
STREET SHOW
STAGGERING NUMBERS OF CHILDREN
RELEASED TO WASHINGTON STATE WHO
REMAIN WITHOUT COUNSEL.
AND WITHOUT COUNSEL, THEY HAVE
A SLIM CHANCE IN
THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH
CHANGING POLICIES AND LAWS TO
WIN THEIR
CASE AND THEY ARE AT RISK OF
DEPORTATION AND RETURN BACK
TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT
THEY
HAVE FLED FROM.
AS OF LAST YEAR IN JULY OF
2024, THERE ARE OVER
800 CHILDREN AND YOUTH CASES
PENDING BEFORE THE
JUVENILE COURT.
THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE
UNREPRESENTED.
I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT
IF YOU HAVE TIME AND INTEREST TO
GO
AND OBSERVE. IT'S OPEN COURT.
IT'S STRIKING. AND IT'S
SHAMEFUL.
THE ENDING OF THIS CONTRACT FOR
LEGAL SERVICES IS CALCULATED.
IT'S IN CONCERT WITH THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION'S OTHER PLANS.
OUR OFFICE'S CLOSURE COULD
NOT COME AT A WORSE TIME.
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ARE
NOW THE FOCUS OF
INCREASED IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
ACROSS THE NATION.
NOT LONG AGO IN ONE OF KIND'S
OFFICES, TEN I.C.E. OFFICERS
CAME TO A RESIDENCE AND SHE
WAS DIRECTED TO
APPEAR FOR A CHECK-IN.
WHEN OUR CLIENT'S TODDLER
WAS SERVED WITH PAPERS.
I REPEAT, THEY ISSUED PREMOOUFL
PROCEED AGAINST A 1-YEAR-OLD.
OUR PARTNERS HAVE OTHER
STORIES TO SHARE THAT REFLECT
SIMILAR
I.C.E. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
I.C.E. ENFORCEMENT
ACTIVITY AGAINST CHILDREN MEANS
THEIR
CASES BECOME MORE COMPLEX
AND TIME CONSUMING AS ATTORNEYS
NEED TO EXPLAIN THE RISKS
ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN TO CHECK-
INS
AND MONITOR THE RISK OF
DETENTION.
IN TANDEM, CHANGES
IN IMMIGRATION COURT PRACTICE
WILL LEAVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE
PENDING
APPLICATIONS FOR STATUS MORE
VULNERABLE TO
DEPORTATION. ALTHOUGH THIS
LAWSUIT REFERENCED
TO CHALLENGE DETERMINATION
WAS FILED ON MARCH 21st, AND
THROUGH
APRIL 16th, THERE IS A TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER IN PLACE.
THIS DOES NOT RELEASE
FEDERAL FUNDING TO AGENCIES LIKE
OURS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
ABLE TO RECEIVE MONEY FOR ITS
WORK.
MANY LEGAL SERVICES
AGENCIES THAT RECEIVE LOCAL AND
STATE FUNDING ARE STILL
STRUGGLING
AND WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
AND FACE DIFFICULT
DECISIONS. WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE
ANY
OTHER AGENCIES IN WASHINGTON
SERVING
CHILDREN, SERVING THE IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE COMMUNITY IN
SEATTLE.
THERE IS NO LEGAL GUARANTEE OF
THE LEGAL OUTCOME OF THIS
CASE SO SEATTLE
MUST STAND STRONG NOT TO ABANDON
ITS CHILDREN,
THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY, THE
IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY, NOR THE ATTORNEYS
FIGHTING TO SERVE THEM.
GIVEN THIS BACKDROP AND
SECURING THE SAFETY AND WELL-
BEING OF
CHILDREN, WE RESPECTFULLY
ASK THAT SEATTLE CONTINUE TO
FUND
OYRA. THAT THEY CONTINUE TO FUND
THE LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK.
THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PUSH
FORWARD INITIATIVES SUCH AS
THIS RESOLUTION TO SUSTAIN
REPRESENTATION, TO SUSTAIN
EXPERT ATTORNEYS.
EVEN WITH THE CLOSURE OF
KIND SEATTLE OFFICE,
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR
PARTNERS AND
OTHER LEAGUE SERVICES
AGENCIES AND IMMIGRATION
ATTORNEYS FIGHTING TO DO THIS
WORK.
I AM HERE LITERALLY FUND
RAISING ON BEHALF OF THE
CHILDREN OF OUR
COMMUNITY. ON BEHALF OF MY
PARTNERS
DOING THIS WORK
BECAUSE IT'S SO CRITICAL.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT.
THIS IS NOT MONEY THAT KIND
WILL RECEIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
TO ENSURING THAT ALL
UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN IN SEATTLE CAN
REMAIN SAFE AND PROTECTED AND
THAT THEY ARE CARED FOR BY US.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
AND THANK YOU FOR THIS
REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
I THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR
THIS BODY TO HEAR.
THE PANEL BEFORE US IS
HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS
EXACT
KIND OF INFORMATION.
THE REALITIES OF WHAT
ARE HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO AT THIS TIME, I WELCOME
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORK
AS THINGS STAND.
ABOUT THE RESOLUTION.
IT'S FOR FIRST DISCUSSION AND
TO START OUR WORK TOGETHER.
AND SO HAPPY TO TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE AND EDUCATING US
ABOUT WHAT
YOU
DO. MY QUESTION OR COMMENT IS
ABOUT
THE RESOLUTION SPECIFICALLY,
WHICH IS A MIX OF BOTH A STATE
OF CONTINUED COMMITMENT
ON FUNDING AND OTHER ACTIONS
THAT THE COUNCIL IS COMMITTING
TO
OR WILL WILL VIA THIS
RESOLUTION.
I JUST WANT TO
MAKE SURE, I DON'T KNOW IF OUR
COLLEAGUES, ANYBODY SAW IT, BUT
ON MARCH,
ON MARCH 11th, THE CITY ATTORNEY
DAVISON'S OFFICE ISSUED A PRESS
RELEASE FOR HER PLAN TO QUOTE
ADD STAFF POSITIONS IN RESPONSE
TO INCREASE WORKLOAD FROM
OTHER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
DIRECTIVES WITH POTENTIAL
IMPACTS TO
SEATTLE, END QUOTE.
THIS IS AS I SAID
BEFORE, THIS IS REGARDING
SECTION SEVEN AND,
A LITTLE BIT SECTION FIVE,
WHICH SECTION SEVEN ASKS US
TO, WELL, REQUEST THE CAO
DEVELOP A
TEAM TO FOCUS ON RESPONSE TO
FEDERAL ACTIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS
AND
ALSO, STATES ARE COUNCIL'S
POSITION
ON WILLINGNESS OR DESIRE TO
FUND ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR
THAT
WORK.
ANYWAY, SO, THAT IS WHAT THE
QUOTE, THAT IS WHAT THE PRESS
RELEASE SAYS.
IT SAYS THAT SHE PLANS TO
ADD STAFF POSITIONS TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN RESPONSE
TO INCREASED WORKLOAD CAUSED
BY FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS
AND OTHER TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION DIRECTIVES WITH
POTENTIAL
IMPACTS TO SEATTLE.
THEN GOES ON TO SAY
THE REQUESTED POSITIONS WILL
GIVE
THE INTERNAL CAO
FEDERAL RESPONSE TEAM MORE
SUPPORT.
THE TEAM IS THE RESULT OF A
WORK FLOW STRATEGY THAT
ORGANIZES STAFF INTO SUBJECT
MATTER
AREAS FOCUSING ON FEDERAL
ACTIONS
IMPACTING SEATTLE.
THE TEAM ALSO MONITORS
RELATED LITIGATION OCCURRING
THROUGHOUT
THE COUNTRY.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH
MEMBERS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE SO
WE HAD A SENSE OF WHAT THEY
ARE DOING ALREADY AND I BRING
THIS
TO OUR ATTENTION BECAUSE I WANT
TO
MAKE SURE THAT THIS RESOLUTION
DOESN'T IMPLY
ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN
BUT ALSO MORE TO THE POINT,
IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT OUR PUBLIC KNOWS
SOME THINGS ARE ALREADY
HAPPENING.
I DON'T WANT TO MISINFORM
THEM THAT WE ARE, THAT WE'RE
CALLING
FOR ACTIONS THROUGH A RESOLUTION
THAT IS NOT BINDING, THAT
ARE ACTUALLY HAPPENING NOW.
THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO
BE DONE AND THERE ARE MORE
RESOURCES
THAT COULD GO FOR MORE WORK ET
CETERA, BUT I ALSO
RECOGNIZE THAT FOR ANYONE
LISTENING, WE'RE
NOT COMING UP WITH SOME OF
THESE IDEAS ON OUR OWN.
THAT
SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ALREADY
HAPPENING.
I KNOW THIS BECAUSE
I CONTRIBUTED A QUOTE TO
THAT PRESS RELEASE SAYING I
SUPPORT THESE STAFF POSITIONS.
SO THIS IS JUST ONE ASPECT
OF THIS RESOLUTION.
I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT, I HAVEN'T
MATCHED THE CALLS FOR ACTION
OR QUESTION TO EACH SECTION TO
WHAT
EXEC TEVA DEPARTMENTS MIKE
DOING. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE
FINISHED PRODUCT OF THIS
RESOLUTION ALSO
ACKNOWLEDGES WORK THAT IS
HAPPENING NOW SO
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE
HASN'T ALREADY BEEN
PREPARATION FROM OTHER BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE
IN FOR THE PUBLIC AND ESPECIALLY
OUR
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES TO
KNOW WHAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING
NOT JUST ON THEIR BEHALF, BUT
TO KEEP ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS AND
OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO NOTE.
THANK YOU.
>> CERTAINLY.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I
KNOW IN THE PROCESS OF
STAKEHOLDERING THIS, WE
WERE PLEASED TO REFLECT BACK TO
THEM AND SAY THIS IS ALREADY
HAPPENING AND WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE IT'S MAINTAINED.
WITH THE LANGUAGE IN THIS
SECTION, WE REACHED OUT TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
FOR CONTINUED FEEDBACK AND
WE'RE WAITING TO GET SOME OF
THAT
FEEDBACK, BUT CERTAINLY
FEEDBACK RECEIVED ON THAT
MATTER.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
WITHWITH CAO TO MAKE SURE
THE LANGUAGE IS AUTHENTIC TO THE
WORK AND STILL REFLECTIVE OF
THE WORK AHEAD OF US.
SO THANK YOU FOR
THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND THANK
YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
I WILL JUST SAY THAT AS
I'VE SAID BEFORE, THESE ACTIONS
OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARE
HATEFUL, IRRESPONSIBLE,
DISGUSTING, THERE'S NO OTHER
WAY TO SAY IT.
AND IT'S JUST PLAIN NOT OKAY.
PARTICULARLY ALL THE ACTIONS
THAT ARE COMING OUT OF
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE NOT
OKAY, BUT THIS PIECE ABOUT
UNACCOMPANIED
MINORS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING
BECAUSE
THESE ARE CHILDREN.
WHO ARE SEEKING ASYLUM IN THIS
COUNTRY.
AND ARE ON UNACCOMPANIED.
I WILL SAY YOU ALL MAY BE
AWARE THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING
WITH
DIRECTOR MOHAMMED FROM THE
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE AFFAIRS WHICH YOU NOTED.
WANTED T█O
ACKNOWLEDGE I HAVE BEEN IN
CONTACT WITH HER AND
SHE'S BEEN GIVING US
INFORMATION.
I KNOW SHE'S BEEN IN
CLOSE CONTACT WITH ALL OF YOU.
SO I HAVE A NUMBER OF
QUESTIONS THAT I'VE POSTED TO
HER.
I KNOW THAT SHE WILL BE
GETTING RESPONSES
RELATED TO SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT YOU'VE RAISED TODAY.
AND IN THE INTEREST OF TIME,
I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH DIRECTOR
MOHAMMED ABOUT SOME OF
THESE ITEMS THAT YOU RAISED, BUT
ONE
THING I WILL ASK NOW IS
JESSICA, YOU MENTIONED THE
OFFICE IS
CLOSING.
SO ARE THOSE CASES
TRANSFERRING OVER TO NERT OR
GETTING
PARCELLED OUT?
OR HOW IS THIS, I JUST WANT
TO CLARIFY SOMETHING YOU SAID.
>> SURE.
I THINK WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
WE'VE MET WITH THE CITYCITY
I'VE ALSO SPOKEN WITH NERT.
WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO
ENSURE THOSE CHILDREN
HAVE
COUNCIL THAT REMAINS.
>> THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.
I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT
THOSE MINORS IN SEATTLE.
JUST QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
STATE AND WHAT THEY'RE ABLE TO
HELP
WITH.
AND OUR COUNTY PARTNERS AS WELL.
I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF
FOLKS WORKING ON THIS AND I WANT
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE
FULL INFORMATION AND THE
MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION
BECAUSE AS
I'VE SAID EARLIER AND YOU ALL
HAVE ALSO INDICATED IN ONE FORM
OR ANOTHER, THERE'S A LOT OF
CHAOS HAPPENING AN A LOT OF
UNCERTAINTIES.
I WANT TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE THE MOST CURRENT
INFORMATION AND WE
KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED.
WE HAVE A PROPER LANDSCAPE
OF WHAT IS NEEDED.
SO I WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU
HERE.
I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP
WITH DIRECTOR MOHAMMED.
SHE'S BEEN AMAZING IN THIS
AND JUST STEADFAST IN HER
WORK AROUND THIS AS YOU ALL KNOW
BECAUSE
YOU GET TO WORK WITH HER.
WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HER AT THE
CITY. I'LL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH
HER
TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
SOME
OF THE WORK THAT YOU JUST
RAISED TODAY.
BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND
FOR SHARING.
>> THANK YOU.
>>
YEAH. JUST TO ADD TO THAT,
RIGHT,
LIKE, I THINK WE'RE, EVERYONE
IS
TRYING TO DO OUR BEST, RIGHT,
IN WHAT IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION.
WE ALSO LOST OVER $2 MILLION IN
FUNDING.
AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST
WITH OUR LIKE RESERVES TO KOR
THAT FUNDING AS LONG AS WE CAN,
BUT
THAT'S WHERE EVERYONE
WANTS TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO COVER
ALL THE
CASES
THAT KIND HAS BEEN REPRESENTING
BUT THAT
ALSO INCLUDES TRYING TO FIGURE
OUT
HOW WE CAN
CONTINUE OUR WORK AS WELL.
SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN,
THAT QUESTION ACTUALLY
EMPHASIZES SORT OF THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS,
RIGHT?
IT ISN'T
THAT THERE'S OTHER MONEY,
RIGHT, THE
STATE BUDGET DOESN'T INCREASE
THEIR MONEY
FOR LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDING.
SO, THERE ISN'T MONEY
COMING FROM THE STATE ON THIS.
NEW MONEY COMING FROM THE
STATE ON THIS.
SO I DO HOPE, I THINK THAT THERE
CAN BE WAYS THAT WE'RE
CONTINUING.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF
COLLABORATING ACROSS THE
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO FIND WAYS
FUND THIS IMPORTANT WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT TO FLAG, I MEAN, WE ALL
KNOW, WE HAVE A BUDGET
DEFICIT, THE COUNTY HAS A BUDGET
DEFICIT.
THE STATE HAS A BUDGET
DEFICIT. SO I THINK THERE'S
STRENGTH
IN NUMBERS AND ALL OF US
WORKING TOGETHER TO SEE WHAT WE
CAN DO.
IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF WANTING
TO.
SO WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
AND THEN IT'S JUST THE REALITY
OF EACH OF THE BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT AT THE STATE,
COUNTY, CITY, ARE GRAPPLING WITH
BUDGET
DEFICITS.
I DID HAVE ANOTHER
QUESTION WHICH I WAS GOING TO
FOLLOW
UP WITH WITH DIRECTOR MOHAMMED
ABOUT PRO BONO.
WE HAVE VARIOUS
LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS AND
ASSOCIATIONS LIKE THE BAR
ASSOCIATION,
THE STATE BAR, THE COUNTY BAR.
AND THEN SPECIALTY BAR
ASSOCIATIONS.
ARE THEY ABLE TO HELP?
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A LAY
OF THE LAND IN HOW WE CAN ALL
WORK
TOGETHER TO YOU KNOW, TO ADDRESS
THESE REALLY IMPORTANT SERIES OF
ISSUES.
>> I'M HAPPY TO SPEAK ON THAT.
SO KIND'S ORIGINAL MODEL IS
REALLY LEVERAGING PRO
BONO RESOURCES AND AND THAT GOES
ONLY
SO FAR TO BE
HONEST. WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST
TO DO
THAT, BUT THAT REQUIRES
FUNDING OF THE STAFF WHO ARE
CREATING THE MATERIALS,
MENTORING
THE ATTORNEYS, DOING THE
OUTREACH,
INTAKING THE CHILDREN, AND ORR
FACILITIES AN MAKING SURE WE
HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION
TO PLACE AND PROPERLY MENTOR
THOSE
CASES.
ALSO, THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION, THEY ISSUED AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER
AND SO IT'S STARTING TO FEEL
PERSONAL FOR ME.
I HAVE AT LEAST THREE EOs THAT
APPLY TO ME SPECIFICALLY,
WHICH MEANS I'M PROBABLY
DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
IN TERMS OF WHAT'S GOING ON
AND IT'S NOT WITH THOSE
DIRECTED
AT SPECIFIC LAW FIRM, BUT THERE
IS A SEPARATE ENTIRETY EO
DEDICATED TO LOOKING AT CREATING
A
CHILLING EFFECT OF TAKING PRO
BONO MATTERS.
IT'S GREAT,
IT'S THERE. IT IS NOT THE BE
ALL AND END
ALL.
PEOPLE AND CHILDREN
IN PARTICULAR ARE CONTINUATION
OF
DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS.
>> THANK YOU, JESSICA.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> I'LL BE FOLLOWING UP.
>> THANK YOU.
IN THE FLURRY OF ALL
THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, I
COMPLETELY MISSED THAT THERE ARE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON PRO BONO
WORK.
COULD YOU JUST EXPAND THAT OUT
A LITTLE BIT WHAT THAT IS
AND MAYBE IT'S A FOLLOW UP
DISCUSSION, BUT THAT'S NEWS TO
ME.
>> SURE.
THERE IS
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AND I AM
GOING OFF MEMORY, SO
FORGIVE ME.
IT DETAILS SORT OF YOU
KNOW, ATTORNEYS BRINGING
FRAUDULENT
CLAIMS. YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY
AROUND
IMMIGRATION WORK.
I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY JUST
ABOUT PRO BONO WORK.
SAYING THEIR RIFE WITH ABUSE.
IN COMBINATION WITH
EXECUTIVE ORDERS ATTACKING FIRMS
THAT PROVIDE REPRESENTATION FOR
CAUSES AGAINST THIS
ADMINISTRATION.
YOU KNOW, THE
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IN
ADDITION TO
YOU KNOW, EXECUTIVE
ORDERS SPECIFICALLY
ATTACKING IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS.
THERE IS A STRONG CONFLUENCE
OF THINGS THAT ARE DISSUADING
ATTORNEYS FROM TAKING
ON PRO BONO REPRESENTATION.
AGAIN, WE HAVE MANY
GREAT PRO BONOS AND ARE GLAD FOR
THAT
AND WE'RE PROUD THAT ARE
MANY TERNS WILLING TO STAND
UP. THE STATE BAR HAS PUT OUT
STATEMENTS STANDING UP FOR
THE PRACTICE OF LAW AND THE
ABILITY
TO REPRESENT PEOPLE NO MATTER
WHAT
THEIR POSITIONS ARE. I THINK
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
BUT IT HAS HAD A CHILLING
EFFECT.
>> AND IT'S TRUE IN THE
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS SPACE AND
OTHER SPACES.
OBVIOUSLY TRANS RIGHTS AND
THE LEGAL WORLD AS WELL.
SO AND IN THE HEALTHCARE WORLD.
SO THIS IS AND ALSO THE DEI
PROGRAMS. ALL OF THIS IS TAKING
IT'S JUST HAVING HUGE IMPACTS
SO THANK
YOU.
>> BEFORE CONTINUING ON, I
WANT TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON WAS
EXCUSED STARTING AT 4:00 P.M.
AND
WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION
FOR
HER A BIT LONGER.
ESPECIALLY TO HEAR TODAY'S
PRESENTATION. AND GLAD SHE WAS A
PART OF IT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS?
I HAVE A COUPLE OF
QUESTIONS FOR OUR PANELISTS
TODAY, BUT ANY
FINAL QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, I HOPE THAT WE
CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET
THIS RESOLUTION TO A PLACE
WHERE WE CAN GET I ACROSS THE
FINISH
LINE. ONE THING THAT SET THIS IS
APART IS THE INCLUSION AND
DISCUSSION OF FUNDING.
AND MAKING SOME INITIAL
COMMIT. S TO EXPANDING FUNDING.
UNDERSTANDING WE'RE
ENTERING INTO A CHALLENGING
FUNDING
ENVIRONMENT BUT WE CAN
ALL RECOGNIZE THE NEED.
WHEN WE WERE ENGAGING
WITH COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS, CERTAINLY THE
PROPOSED
NUMBER WAS MUCH HIGHER PROBABLY
TO
FULLY ADDRESS THE NEED
WE'RE TALKING MILLIONS.
AND BUT WHAT HAS BEEN PUT
FORWARD IN THIS RESOLUTION
IS $300,000 SO LOOKING AT
EXPANDING FUNDING TO OIRA AND TO
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND WHERE SOME
INITIAL STEPS THAT FELT
REASONABLE
AND TO MEET THE MOMENT AND SO
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE,
PANELISTS, WHAT COULD $300,000
DO
KNOWING IT'S A MINOR STEP BUT
IF YOU COULD COLOR THAT A LITTLE
BIT
AND COULD YOU SPEAK TO MORE
AGAIN THE BROADER NEED TO
FULLY ADDRESS SPECIFICALLY
IF WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON
UNACCOMPANIED MINOR LEGAL WORK,
WHAT
WOULD WE NEED TO FULLY ADDRESS
THE NEED
THAT'S THERE?
>> I THINK VERY GRANULAR.
200,000 IS A LITTLE MORE
THAN TWO FTE
TO REPRESENT THE FULL ADDITIONAL
60 CHILDREN OR
MORE THAT NEED REPRESENTATION
RIGHT
THERE.
I THINK THAT MONEY GOING TO
AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS NERT
TO CONTINUE THE WORK IS
ESSENTIAL.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK
FOR THEM AS
WELL. I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT
MONEY
CAN DO, BUT RIGHT NOW, WE
HAVE MANY CHILDREN IN OUR
COMMUNITY THAT ARE GOING TO BE
WITHOUT COUNSEL IN MULTIPLE
VENUES.
IN STATE COURT AND
IMMIGRATION
COURT WHO ARE IN DESPERATE NEED
OF COUNSEL.
>> THAT'S A GOOD ROUGH PICTURE
OF WHAT AGAIN, IT'S 150
THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND.
YEAH, I THINK 300, THAT'S ABOUT
RIGHT.
60 CASES, WHICH ISN'T ALL OF
THE KIDS.
THOSE WERE THE KIDS
THAT KIND HAS BEEN REPRESENTING.
THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO
START. YOU'RE RIGHT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THIS
IS A START. NOT THE END.
I DO ALSO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEGAL DEFENSE
NETWORK HAS BEEN TOING IMPORTANT
WORK AND SO
PU AGAIN,
BUT AGAIN, THIS IS THE TIME
TO STEP UP. FOCUSING ON
CHILDREN, THERE'S
A HUGE NEED AND I THINK THAT THE
KEY IS ENSURING THERE IS
THAT EXPANSE AND THE ABILITY
TO REPRESENT FOLKS WHO ARE OTHER
WISE
SITTING IN DETENTION AWAY FROM
THEIR FAMILIES
WITHOUT REPRESENTATION WHO JUST
NEED
SOMEONE TO BE WITH THEM TO FIGHT
THEIR CASE THROUGH COURT AND
GET THEM THE STABILITY THEY'VE
BEEN
LACKING FOR SO LONG.
>> I CAN SHARE A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT WITH WAISN, SOME OF
THE THINGS THAT FUNDING CAN
SUPPORT.
MANY FOLKS TO
REPORT WHEN THERE IS IMMIGRATION
ACTIVITY.
WHEN
THERE IS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO'S
BEEN DETAINED.
OFTENTIMES, THEY DON'T
KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED.
THEY CALL US FOR
SUPPORT. WE REFERRALS SO THEY
CAN
GET THAT ASSISTANT.
WE ALSO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE
ONLINE SYSTEM TO HELP THEM
FIND WHERE THEIR FAMILY MEMBER
IS.
IF THEY'VE BEEN SENT OUT OF
STATE AT ANOTHER
CENTER CONNECTING THEM TO
OTHER RESOURCES THERE AS WELL.
AND OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT WHEN
COMMUNITIES ARE BEING IMPACTED.
EITHER DURING ACTIVE ACTIVITY
OR
AFTERWARDS. WHAT ARE THE NEEDS
OF
THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO
BE
ABLE TO GET THAT SUPPORT.
TO HAVE, WE OPERATE BOND
FUND FOR FOLKS IN DETENTION AND
HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE
RELEASED.
IT'S ALSO THIS ADDITIONAL
NEED THAT GOES ALONGSIDE IT WHEN
SOMEONE'S FAMILY MEMBER IS
DETAINED.
WHEN THE CHILDREN DON'T
KNOW WHERE THEIR PARENTS WENT
AND THEY DON'T HAVE THAT
INFORMATION.
WE ALSO MEET AND FLAG EVERY
CALL WE GET.
IF THERE SEEMS TO BE A
VIOLATION OF KEEP WASHINGTON
WORKING,
WE FIGHT IT FOR OUR PARTNERS.
WE MEET WITH THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S OFFICE TO SHARE
WHEN ARE THESE VIOLATIONS
OCCURRING SO THEY CAN DO THEIR
WORK
AS WELL TO MAKE SURE STATE LAWS
ARE BEING FOLLOWED.
AND DOING THAT ADVOCACY
WORK TO ENSURE THE SYSTEM AND
OUR
VALUES AND STATE ARE HERE TO
PROTECT
AND WORKING TO PROTECT OUR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
>> IT'S SORT OF HARD TO
BELIEVE,
RIGHT, BUT IN OUR
COUNTRY, YOU CAN BE DISAPPEARED
OFF THE
STREET.
MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T COME
HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY.
YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED. THE ABILITY TO CALL
THE HOT LINE
AND GET A REFERRAL TO US THE
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. THE WORK
IS ESPECIALLY VALUABLE.
>> THANK YOU, ALL.
COLLEAGUES, ANY FINAL
QUESTIONS FOR OUR PANEL FOR
TODAY OR
ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME ON
THE
RESOLUTION?
IN THIS CASE, I WILL TAKE
A MOMENT TO CLOSE US OUT ON THIS
ITEM. I HOPE EVERYONE SEES THIS
IS THE
START OF A CRITICAL
DISCUSSION ON THIS RESOLUTION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE EACH
OFFICE HAS INPUT ON THIS MOVING
FORWARD, BUT I THINK WE
CAN AGREE THERE'S CERTAINLY
SOME AMAZING THINGS THIS
RESOLUTION COULD ACCOMPLISH AND
SOME
ADDITIONAL STEPS.
THIS IS
A REAFFIRMATION OF COMMITMENTS
THAT SEATTLE
HAS MADE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO
KNOW
THESE ARE SEATTLE VALUES
ABOUT PROTECTING AND STANDING BE
OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.
AND SO I CERTAINLY WELCOME EACH
OFFICE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
WORKING
WITH YOU ALL ON GETTING
THIS RESOLUTION ACROSS THE
FINISH
LINE.
WELCOME ANY AMENDMENTS
OR CHANGES SO JUST WANT TO
MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THAT WORK
TOGETHER.
AS WE'RE MEETING OUR
COMMUNITY'S NEEDS DURING THIS
TREMENDOUSLY
CHALLENGING TIME.
AND I CLOSE US OUT BY
SAYING BUDGETS ARE A MORAL
DOCUMENT.
IT'S A STATEMENT OF
VALUES. AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO CONTINUE TO GRAPPLE WITH THIS
AS A BODY.
AND TO THAT END, THANK YOU
ALL FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE
FOR
OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT CANNOT BE
APPRECIATED ENOUGH AND WE LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU IN
THE MONTHS TO COME
AS WE NAVIGATE THIS TIME. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> CHAIR, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR
YOU, ACTUALLY.
I'M TRYING TO, SO, I
UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE THE
RESOLUTION.
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE
IMPRESSION.
I THINK YOU KNOW HOW BUDGET
PROCESSES WORK AND AT WHAT POINT
IN THE YEAR WE'RE NOT IN
A BUDGET PROCESS AT THE MOMENT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
LEVEL SETTING EXPECTATIONS.
JUST BASED ON WHAT WE'RE ABLE
TO DO.
THIS IS VERY STRESSFUL.
AND I DON'T WANT YOU ALL OR
THE PUBLIC TO THINK THAT WE'RE
ABLE
TO DO SOMETHING
TODAY. AND JASMINE, IF YOU HAVE
ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE
CONVERSATIONS YOU'VE HAD WITH
CENTRAL BUDGET OFFICE OR U
CHAIR FOR THAT MAT EVERY, I JUST
WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT
SETTING
UP EXPECTATIONS WE CAN'T
MEET TODAY JUST BY THE REALITY
OF THE
BUDGET PROCESSES.
>> APPRECIATE THAT AND
IF CENTRAL STAFF IS
STILL ON THE LINE, INVITE YOU TO
JUMP IN.
I THINK WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO
DO IS THAT THESE ARE VERY
ABNORMAL TIMES AND WE HAVE A
NORMAL BUDGET PROCESS.
IT WILL BE COMING UP IN MID
YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL, BUT
THIS RESOLUTION WOULD PROVIDE
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE
TO STATE AN INITIAL COMMITMENT
TO
INCREASE INVESTMENTS IN
THIS AREA AND I THINK IN THIS
MOMENT, THAT HAS SOME AMOUNT OF
VALUE AND SO I WOULD LOOK
FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH EACH OFFICE TO
SEE IF WE CAN BE ABLE TO THAT C
RECOGNITION THAT THERE'S HIGH
COMMUNITY
NEED.
WITH THAT, CENTRAL STAFF,
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON?
I DON'T KNOW IF
JASMINE'S STILL ON THE LINE.
>> I'M HERE, YES.
I WOULD SAY THAT YEAH, THE
MID YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL WOULD BE
THE
MOST LIKELY NEXT AND
BEST OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO
ACTUALLY ALLOCATE FUNDING AND
EFFECTUATE THAT COMMITMENT
THAT'S IN THE DRAFT
RESOLUTION TO ADD MORE, THE
$300,000 TO
OIRA.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> AND THAT WOULD BE,
JASMINE, WE WOULD HAVE TO REVIEW
THE CURRENT BUDGET AND SEE WHAT
WE
WOULD REDIRECT FUNDING.
CORRECT.
>> OKAY.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST DON'T WANT
TO LEAVE
THE IMPRESSION BECAUSE THIS IS
SO
STRESSFUL. I WANT FOLKS TO BE
AWARE OF
HOW THE PROCESSES GO.
I DON'T WANT TO ADD MORE
STRESS TO AN ALREADY STRESSFUL
SITUATION.
SO, THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU, JASMINE,
FOR ANSWERING THAT.
>> I WILL JUST ADD THATTHAT
LIKE UNDERSTANDING THE
BUDGET PROCESS IS NOT SOMETHING
WHERE
TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO SIGN A
BIG CHECK FOR US AND WE'RE
GOING
TO WALK OUT THE DOOR.
YOU KNOW, HAVING A
STATED COMMITMENT FROM THE
COUNCIL
GIVES US AS YOU CAN
IMAGINE, WE'RE IN A SWIRL OF
UNCERTAINTY IN OUR OWN BUDGET
PROCESSES.
HAVING THE ABILITY TO
UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN UPCOMING
COMMITMENT.
THERE IS REALLY HELPFUL FOR
US IN IMPLEMENTING OUR OWN WORK
AND OUR ABILITY TO STEP OUT
AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO STEP OUT
BECAUSE
WE KNOW THAT MONEY IS
COMING IN. I APPRECIATE THAT
THIS ISN'T
AN IMMEDIATE FIX, BUT
THAT CERTAINTY OF FUTURE FUNDING
IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT
COULD REALLY IMPACT OUR ABILITY
TO TAKE ON WORK NOW IF WE KNOW
THAT
MONEY IS COMING IN THE FUTURE.
SO, JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
IF THERE ARE IN FURTHER
COMMENTS, I WILL SAY THANK
YOU TO OUR PANEL AND FOR
THE WORK YOU DO AND ARE EXCITED
FOR OUR
CONTINUED WORK TOGETHER AND WE
HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
AGENDA.
ANYTHING FOR THE
GOOD OF THE
ORDER? ANY FINAL BUSINESS?
HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS
TO COME BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
IT IS 4:46 P.M. THANK YOU ALL.