Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) invites the community to participate in a discussion focusing on housing and homelessness in Snohomish County. The virtual event will take place from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 via Zoom.
Local experts will address affordable housing needs, current initiatives to combat homelessness and potential legislative measures as the 2025 session in Olympia approaches.
The panel includes Chris Collier, program manager at the Housing Authority of Snohomish County; Tina Vlasaty, deputy director of LISC Puget Sound; Rachel Downes, director of strategic initiatives at Housing Hope; Bobby Thompson, executive director of the Housing Consortium of Snohomish County; and John Hull, CEO of Everett Gospel Mission. Wendy Poischbeg, interim president & CEO of EASC, will moderate the conversation.
“As our region continues to face significant housing challenges, this conversation is crucial,” Poischbeg said. “It’s an opportunity to understand the scope of the crisis, highlight effective solutions, and mobilize our community for action as we head into a pivotal legislative session.”
The event is free to attend. RSVP here to receive the Zoom livestream link: https://bit.ly/CC_Housing. For more information, visit EconomicAllianceSC.org or contact info@EconomicAllianceSC.org.
Edmonds is a place where people that have worked hard, have had self control, and have had some success can live in peace. We do not need to be a community that welcomes the poor, let them go elsewhere.
We already have poor folks in our community, some of whom are long-time residents who, due to forces beyond their control, are in dire economic straits. For example, seniors who owned their home outright but could not keep up with increasing property taxes and maintenance costs; families where the main breadwinner has become disabled or passed away; and other scenarios. The high demand for services at the Edmonds Food Bank, by Edmonds community members, attests to this. There have been many comments lately on other MEN stories regarding the vulnerable population of elders in particular. It may be these folks are not visible to everyone, but in my corner of Edmonds (Highway 99 area near MLT border), there are many folks who work full time and are one layoff/medical emergency/other income-impacting event away from homelessness.
I acknowledge that my opinions regarding the need for services and supports for poor people in our Edmonds communities may differ from others. They’re informed in part by my religious beliefs.
Mr. Gunning, thank you for writing. The exact same thoughts enter my mind each time I drive by the Edmonds Food Bank and witness the increasing lines. So thought I would write. I would add that one can find
those folks you mentioned throughout our city. Some of our elected officials talk about repercussions from policy decisions on those most vulnerable. Yet, in their infinite quest for revenue seem to forget that fact. Thank you for your empathy and comments regarding the people out there. Very refreshing. Also, thank goodness for the Edmonds Food Bank.
Thank you, Mr. Murdock. Indeed, those in constrained and life-threatening economic situations are everywhere.
Our City Council and Mayor have tough decisions to make. Regressive tax structures in our state don’t help. The fact that some privileged folks like me are willing to pay higher taxes to ensure a safety net for our neighbors isn’t a solution. The Food Bank isn’t a panacea—we need to ensure access to safe housing, health care, and other necessary services for all.
But, capitalism is what it is.
Daniel, Kim and Mike. Interesting discussion. Is it or should it be the governments’ (federal, state, county and city) responsibility to see that everyone is housed, no matter their over all situation or approach to life? If we are truly a nation of freedom and based on the concept of the individual having a free will to decide what sort of life they will lead, the answer to this question has to be in the negative I think. We already expect “the government” to provide basic education (public schools) basic health care of some sort (no one is turned away from the E.R. until they can walk or get wheeled out on their own after being brought to a stable condition), and basic retirement (social security benefits that have to be earned unless disabled). Is expecting the government to provide for basic housing as well a step too far? How about a guaranteed national income that people would be free to spend on housing or feel good substances in exerting their free will? Do people really want the responsibility of being free people? Have we ever really defined what freedom is? Freedom to do what or to be what? It seems to me some want freedom and some want control and there’s a lot of confusion about both concepts.