“Housing, Hope & Hospitality” with NUHSA & Ronald Commons partners

Yichuan Zhao, King County Housing Authority,
Jeff Johnson, Mayor of Lake Forest Park,
Judy Parsons, NUHSA Board President

NUHSA Board President Judy Parsons, along with Yichuan Zhao from King County Housing Authority, accepted the Affordable Housing Week proclamation from Mayor Johnson and the City Council of Lake Forest Park on April 12th.

NUHSA Board member Ed Sterner and Compass Housing Alliance staff members Ryan Mielcarek and Teena Ellison thanked Mayor Hall and the Shoreline City Council for their Affordable Housing Week proclamation on April 30th.

Affordable housing is a critical issue in our community. Over 3,600 families are considered “housing insecure” because they are spending more than half of their income on rent and utilities, and an astonishing 381 students were identified as homeless during the 2015-16 school year.

Slipping into homelessness can happen quickly; studies have found that each $100 increase in median rent results in a 15% increase in homelessness in metro areas and a 39% increase in homelessness in nearby suburbs and rural areas.

Ryan Mielcarek and Teena Ellison, Compass Housing staff
Will Hall, Mayor of Shoreline
Ed Sterner, NUHSA Board Member

In an effort to raise public awareness, the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park City Councils, along with others throughout the region, have proclaimed May 14-18, 2018 Affordable Housing Week.

Communities throughout King County are participating in local efforts to inform the public of the critical need to preserve and increase affordable housing in our communities and bring attention to this complex issue. (HERE is a complete listing of events and times).

On Thursday, May 17th from 4-6pm at Ronald Commons (17839 Aurora Ave N), the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUSHA) is pleased to be partnering with Ronald United Methodist Church, Compass Housing Alliance at Ronald Commons, Hopelink and the Dale Turner YMCA to host Housing, Hope and Hospitality).

City and County Officials, school board directors and members of the community are all welcome to join for a tour, Q/A and the weekly Ronald Commons’ Café community meal.

Invite your neighbors and show your support as we celebrate a partnership model with a holistic approach! Together, we can help ensure that all people have access to safe and affordable homes in our community.

For more information, email NUHSA or the church.

--Silje Sodal