From Don Fornoff, Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness:
It has been a hard couple of weeks for the members of the Task Force since learning of the death of our spiritual leader and motivator. The Missioner to the Homeless pushed us always to find ways in our parishes to take care of those on the outside of society. He was fearless in his pursuit of service to the poor. He always reminded us that God expected us to do our best to spread the how and why of combatting homelessness.
Rest in Peace, Jeffrey Boyce.
Because this is the work of the Church, of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, there is no other choice for the Task Force – we must move forward as best we can to spread the word about serving the unhoused. To start with, is there any parish expecting assistance from Deacon Jeffrey with their outreach plans? Could you let us know if there are any scheduled meetings or contacts? Please contact Don Fornoff at mountaineerdgf@aol.com or 703.975.7528 (please leave a message) to let us know so we can assist and carry out Jeffrey’s commitment.
As I wrote in our last column on December 6, it is time for us to celebrate Advent and do so with the spirit of service to the poor, those unhoused or near to it. Advent is necessary for us, and it is vital that we be inclusive. Obviously, I’m not saying anything new. Yet, 2025 stares at us from the immediate future. There continues to be much to be done. What is done during the holidays reminds us that all people are part of the community, that sharing with each other gives the gift of Spirit to all. After the New Year, keeping that sharing alive is necessary for the health and well-being of our collective communities. That takes work, and we do the work. Work that is well-thought-out for immediate needs and for more encompassing needs.
A recent article in the Everett Herald points out that lack of housing is a problem for all of us to tackle. Reporter for the Herald Will Geschke asked the question – what is the solution to the housing crisis? Build more housing, he reported from a gathering sponsored by the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County. Getting to that point is a problem that has been worsening for a decade. Why? Two-thirds of workers in the county are rent-burdened. Only 1.6% of workers in the county make enough to “comfortably purchase a single-family home.” (From the Everett Herald, December 6, 2024).
There is much more to be read from that article. Suffice it to say, all the transitory steps needed to rehouse the homeless and at-risk unhoused – shelter, food, transportation, services – are necessary steps before getting permanent housing. This is where faith communities do so much and can do so much more. The long-term takes time, expertise, and money. The shorter term requires time and effort to keep our communities alive and active for the harder work to find space to succeed.
As we look to Washington State to set the tone, the Washington State Low Income Housing Alliance has set several themes to which we can pay attention: rent stabilization, capital funding for affordable homes, continued strong community services, protecting the rights of homelessness, right to counsel, and a better revenue base.
So, in addition to direct services, there is a need for personal advocacy, which the Task Force will continue to do. We also need folks in parishes to do this work.
Be well, do good works, love one another.
Don Fornoff, Member of the Homelessness Taskforce
