June 16, 2006

Director's Corner

By TIMOTHY HARRIS

This weekend’s “Building the Political Will to End Homelessness” conference, organized by the Church Council of Greater Seattle and the Interfaith Taskforce, was an inspiring call to pursue the vision of a just society.

The results of the past year have been impressive. There is more state money for homelessness prevention and boosted funding for the state Housing Trust Fund. Both King County and Seattle have increased their contribution to ending homelessness as well, and private philanthropy has expanded their efforts. At the same time, everyone also recognizes that this is a Ten Year Plan, and keeping up momentum will be a challenge. Last year’s 1,300 new units of housing are just a start toward the long-term goal of 9,000.

Without a sustained grassroots effort — and fundamental changes in federal priorities — efforts to end homelessness will stretch, like the “war against terror,” forever into the future. We cannot continue to bankrupt federal government and somehow imagine that there will be resources to stem the tide of poverty. As localities take on an increasing burden as a result of the federal abandonment of the poor, we will inevitably hit a wall.

Still, the organizing that is needed begins here at home, and the past year has been a strong start. You can help to end homelessness, and we’ll be here to show you how.

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