Updates from the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness

Dear Ones, the Task Force is looking forward to its seventh full year of voluntary work dedicated to stemming the tide of homelessness. Currently, we are 38 individuals sharing ideas and actions. 10-12 of us maintain weekly and monthly activities in many forms, coming together via Zoom on the third Saturday of each month. Online meetings kept us together during the pandemic, and they still keep us together. Learning best practices during our first year was how we decided to keep going, and sharing all practices in action is how we move forward. Why we do this is no surprise. Homelessness has persisted as a threat to the well-being of far too many people in the northwest and the country in general. And that is why we answered the bishop’s call to see what could be done.

It is concerning that we appear to have not had an impact. Yet, I believe, as others do, that the faith community we are part of has continued to keep up the pressure in our communities to utilize actions that work. It is a broad scope, one that faith communities do not want to give up on. We know that most parishes in the Diocese have some form of monthly outreach. We try to recognize those efforts. We stand ready to support any parish that wants to engage in how to move forward to deal with local homelessness. The Task Force spends time and effort supporting state legislation that makes sense. So, my outreach friends, can we help you improve efforts to help the about-to-be unhoused and the unhoused?

Good things are happening: there is a new shelter in Port Orchard (Kitsap); Sound Foundations continues to build tiny houses, which have proven immensely successful as transitional housing (ecumenical support); and coalitions, especially on the eastside of King County, are powerful informal groups making homeless efforts happen.

Advocacy of good actions continues to crawl forward. Of note, HB1217, Rent Stabilization, has passed through housing and appropriation committees. Companion bill SB5222 has yet to be voted out of the Senate housing committee. Other bills to watch include Safe Spaces, Strong Communities HB 1380, HB 1195, HB 1491, SB 5469, SB 5313, HB 1858, and HB 1867. Look them up on the State Legislative website. They all merit consideration.

What is happening in the Diocese? Thanks to Taskforce member and secretary Jean Swift, we know there are 37 feeding programs, 15 shelters/tiny homes, 15 clothing/personal care items, 5 showers, 7 safe parking programs, 5 gardens, and 7 safety pouches. There are 15-20 other types of programs, including 1 vet care. Members Elizabeth Maupin and Liz Adams contributed to this compilation.

Until next time, Be well, do good works, love one another
Don Fornoff, Member and Chair of the Taskforce