We’ve created this resource page to give you access to more information about this topic in a variety of formats, from short interviews we’ve conducted with some of the speakers to a list of ways you can get involved in this issue and help work toward solutions. We hope you find this curated content valuable and please contact us at cityclub@seattlecityclub.org if you have questions or want to suggest other resources to add to this resource page.


Housing instability issues continue to impact people in our region, with the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn. This Civic Boot Camp series addresses questions on affordable housing, homelessness, and legislative priorities and highlights success stories with local experts, elected officials, and community leaders. Webinars included:

Friday, March 19: Part 1 – The Housing Crisis
Friday, March 26: Part 2 – The Homelessness Crisis
Friday, April 2: Part 3 – Elected Leaders on the Housing and Homelessness Crisis

 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Microsoft

Selected readings and resources for March 19 webinar – Short list of recent articles and resources to review prior to the webinar (See comprehensive list below). 

Articles 

Data 

 

Selected readings and resources for March 26 webinar – Short list of recent articles and resources to review prior to the webinar (See comprehensive list below). 

Articles 

Data 

 Selected readings and resources for April 2 webinar – Short list of recent articles and resources to review prior to the webinar (See comprehensive list below). 

 

TERMS

    • Chronically Homeless Individual – a person with a disability who has been continuously homeless for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years where the combined length of time is at least 12 months.
    • Continuum of Care – local planning body responsible for coordinating the full range of homelessness services in a geographic area. (All Home leads this effort)
    • Coordinated Entry for All– a program that ensures that all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access and are quickly identified, assessed, and connected to housing and homeless assistance based on their strengths and needs.
    • Diversion – a Housing First, person-centered, strengths-based approach to help individuals identify the choices and solutions to end their experience of homelessness with limited interaction with the crisis response system.
    • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 vouchers):  a federal program administered by local housing authorities. Eligible tenants receive vouchers they can use to help pay for apartments in the private market. Tenants pay between 28 and 40 percent of their household income for rent and utilities, and the housing authority pays the difference between this amount and the amount the landlord requests
    • Housing First – offers permanent, affordable housing as quickly as possible and the supportive services to help people keep their housing.
    • Market Rate Housing – the prevailing monthly cost for rental housing. It is set by the landlord without restrictions
    • Permanent Supportive Housing – providing housing assistance and supportive services on a long-term basis to formerly homeless people.
    • Person Experiencing Homeless – a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. (This term is preferred over “homeless person”)
    • Point-in-Time Counts – 1-night estimates of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations in King County held each January.
    • Project-based Section 8 housing – a federal program which grants a long-term rent subsidy to developers of privately owned rental housing stock to in exchange for affordable rents
    • Public Housing – housing owned and run by a local housing authority. To be eligible to live in public housing, you must meet program requirements including being low income. In most cases, rent including utilities can comprise no more than 30% of your income
    • Rapid Rehousing – providing temporary housing assistance to people experiencing homelessness, moving them quickly into permanent housing.
    • Subsidized Housing – all federal, state or local government programs that reduce the cost of housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Housing can be subsidized in numerous ways including tenant-based mechanisms such as vouchers or project-based ones, such as tax credits.
    • Transitional Housing Programs – provides people experiencing homelessness a place to stay combined with supportive services for up to 24 months.

Policy Glossary – Housing Development Consortium 

Housing – related glossary – Housing Development Consortium 

SELECTED LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Housing-related 

Homelessness-related 

RESOURCES

Reports, data and fact sheets 

 

Homelessness-related 

 

Housing-related 

Action guides, toolkits workbooks 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IDEAS

Our region’s civic health depends on each one of us to get involved in civic life. Here are some ways you can support housing and homeless services and initiatives:  

ARTICLES AND MEDIA

General resources for news, blogs, updates and archived articles on homelessness. 

Social media – Twitter Feeds 

Podcasts 

Videos