October
21, 2002
Councilmember Jan
Drago, Chair
Budget Committee
and
Members of the Seattle City Council
11th
Floor, Municipal Building
600 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104-1876 Fax
684-8587
Re: Proposed 65% Cut in Funding for Sand
Point Community Housing
Dear Budget
Chair Drago and Members of the Seattle City Council,
The
Laurelhurst Community Club Board of Trustees urges you to restore cuts to the
Sand Point Community Housing Association included in the Mayor’s proposed
2002-2003 budget. We believe that a 65%
funding cut is inconsistent with cuts proposed for other services, agencies and
departments. A funding cut at this level
is also contrary to the commitment made by the City in 1993 to assist with
support of operations and housing services to homeless and low-income residents
at Sand Point. The funding reduction
would jeopardize the ability of the Sand Point Community Housing Association to
move forward with Phase 2 of its development and to provide continued services
to existing residents.
Transitional
housing at Sand Point has become a model for the nation in integrating housing,
employment, education and arts and culture.
The much-needed housing that is provided gives people an opportunity to
get back on their feet. The Sand Point
Community Housing Association provides quality services to residents and
accountability to the City and surrounding communities. With this history of success and the prospect
of providing additional housing units at Sand Point, it makes no sense for the
City to retreat from its earlier commitment to provide funding.
The 1993
Community Preferred Reuse Plan for Sand Point calls for funding at a level not
to exceed $500,000 per year. In this
regard, the adopted Reuse Plan states, “Although future operating funds cannot
be allocated in advance, the City would seek to provide a share of the total
support for operations and housing services to homeless and low-income housing
residents at Sand Point at a level not to exceed $500,000 per year.” Until now, the City has been responsive to funding
requests from the Sand Point Community Housing Association, although funding at
the projected maximum level has never been sought. The City should not now retract from its
commitment to homeless housing and its commitment to the Sand Point Community
Housing Association.
The Sand Point Community Housing
Association has consistently acted responsibly in its budget requests. In recognition of Seattle’s current budget shortfall, the
Association reduced its budget request by 20%--from $259,000 to $207,200. The City should provide funding at this
level.
The City
established its policy to provide transitional/homeless housing at Sand Point
after careful study at a time when many communities (not including Laurelhurst)
opposed low income housing at this location.
The City did so for two principal reasons. First, the City acquired the former Sand
Point Naval Base under the Federal Base Closure Act in exchange for its
commitment to create homeless housing.
Second, the homeless population is increasing. This has been evident each year since
adoption of the Reuse Plan. Most
recently, the “One Night Count” on October 19, 2002 documented 2,040 people
living on the streets of Seattle—an
18% increase from last year.
We urge you
to restore the funding requested by the Sand Point Community Housing
Association in the current budget. We do
not believe it is appropriate for the City to now renege on the commitment it
has made in light of the pressing need for transitional housing.
Sincerely,
Jeannie Hale, President Kate
Lloyd, Magnuson Park Liaison
3425 West Laurelhurst Drive NE 4303
NE 35th Street
Seattle,
Washington
98105 Seattle, Washington 98105
525-5135 / fax 525-9631 522-8822
/ fax 526-5525
jeannieh@serv.net
katelloyd@myhealthcheck.net