Many of you have heard me talk about “permanent supportive housing” in previous posts.  Washington state’s Housing Trust Fund is the essential tool for the creation and preservation of permanent supportive housing. In order to keep up with the community need, an additional $100 million in funding should be added to the Housing Trust Fund. More than 70 percent of people served by the Fund make less than $17,540 per year, making it a vital resource in the fight to end homelessness.

Funding the Housing Trust Fund now with $100 million would allow Washington state to build at least 2,231 units of housing. According to the National Association of Home Builders, that would generate:

• 2,722 jobs (mostly in construction)
• $124 million in wages for workers
• $51 million in income for local business owners
• $18 million in taxes paid to local governments

Take action:

• February 12 is Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day. Register today!
• Find out more about a current bill to support the Housing Trust Fund here.
  o http://bit.ly/actioncenter
• Call 1-800-562-6000 and tell your legislator to support the Housing Trust Fund.