Join us on February 9, United Way Lobby Day, to advocate for these issues!

Document Recording Fee HB2048/SB 5952:

Summary:  The document recording fee supports state and county approaches to preventing and ending homelessness ncluding housing vouchers, eviction prevention services, short-term housing assistance, and emergency shelter.  The DRF bills extend the sunset of a $20 real estate document recording fee set to expire in 2013. The $20 fee will be extended for four years and a new temporary $10 fee (set to expire in 2015)…

This blog was prepared by United Way Worldwide for its member organizations

In the budget that has been approved by Congress, and is expected to be signed by President Obama, we are pleased to share that the majority of programs that United Way has prioritized have stayed intact or even increased in funding. Given the conomic and political landscape, this is good news. Please see below for highlights of FY2012 program funding in our building block areas. Note: There is an additional 0.189 percent across…

On November 15, Congress released the final, compromise version of the fiscal year (FY) 2012 funding legislation, H.R. 2112, for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other related agencies.   Compared to FY 2011, the bill cuts $3.8 billion from HUD programs.  The legislation includes some good news and some not so good news, but given the magnitude of cuts facing many programs, those helping to prevent and end homelessness like McKinney-Vento were protected from cuts. The legislation includes:

…

The details of the Thursday, November 17 revenue forecast will be summarized by close of business on Friday, November 18.  Sorry for the inconvenience!

Agreement on increasing the federal debt ceiling was reached on August 2, the final day (identified by Treasury Secretary Geithner) before the federal government would default on its financial obligations because it had run out of money and could no longer borrow to pay bills.  A bipartisan compromise was reached by the House and Senate but neither body, the President, the Pentagon, or interest and advocacy groups was particularly happy with the outcome.   The National Senior Corps Association has done an excellent summary…

Guest blogger, Kelly Rider of the Housing Development Consortium, discusses the benefits of the Veterans and Human Services Levy to our community.

On or around July 29^th, you will receive your 2011 Primary Ballot in your mail. That’s just one week away, and the renewal of the King County Veterans & Human Services Levy is Proposition 1 on that ballot.  

The current Veterans & Human Services Levy was passed by nearly 58% of the voters in 2005, but it is set to expire at the…

Earlier this week, our Public Policy department decided to reach out to community members involved in our Volunteer Reader Program. Via e-mail, we asked volunteers to do more to help support early learning in our state.

 Volunteers were asked to sign on to a letter thanking our King County Legislature for its outstanding bipartisan effort to support early learning in Washington. We were very excited when enthusiastic and highly positive responses came flying in. In all, a total of 35 Volunteer…

Thanks to the combined advocacy of our United Way constituents nd partner organizations, United Way of King County was able to achieve many of its legislative asks even in one of the most challenging economic years on record.  Below is a summary of the outcomes of our main advocacy efforts for FY 2011-2013.

 2011-2013 Budget Outcomes

…

Recently the legislature made significant changes to Disability Lifeline (HB 2082) for FY 2011-2013.  It eliminated the current Disability Lifeline Program effective October 1, but preserved medical services for eligible clients.  In place of the old program, it created 3 new programs—the aged, blind and disabled program (similar to the current DL-X and is the only program to keep cash assistance grants), pregnant woman assistance program, and the Essential Needs and Housing Support program funded at $64 million and offered to those eligible for…

The State budget passed by the Washington State Legislature (and not yet approved by the Governor) has moderate to severe reductions in health and human services funding for low income King County residents particularly those who are not eligible for Medicaid funding.  These cuts in prevention and intervention services will likely result in more people using emergency rooms, becoming homeless and incarcerated.

Basic Needs and Housing:

Disability Lifeline – Eliminates Disability Lifeline Program effective October 1 and creates three new programs Aged, Blind, and Disabled…