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2007 Legislative Priorities

Adopted by the LATCH Board at its January 10, 2007 meeting 

1.   Sustain Federal Housing Funding and Programs.  Preserve funding of HUD Section 8, HOME, CDBG, and other programs that benefit low-income and homeless people.  The federal government is the largest funder of affordable housing; a loss of commitment to affordable housing at the federal level will continue to have devastating effects on the ability of local communities to sustain current levels of safe, affordable housing or to meet the growing need for additional housing.

2.  Triple the Housing Trust Fund for a Quarter Million Washington Families.  The Housing Trust Fund is the State’s largest fund to preserve, rehabilitate, and develop affordable homes throughout Washington for individuals and families earning at or below 50% AMI and paying over 30% of their income in rent; those who are at risk or currently homeless; those who want to purchase a home for the first time; and those who are at risk of losing their homes due to the closure of mobile home parks. Estimates show that the Housing Trust Fund would need approximately $1 billion per year (plus inflation) over the next nine years to secure homes for the quarter million households in need. Other public subsidies are currently underutilized because of the Housing Trust Fund’s limited capacity. An investment of $363 million would fill that gap to leverage matching dollars.  

The Housing Trust Fund has helped create more than 251,000 homes and leveraged over $1.6 billion in other private and public funds. For every 1,000 affordable units developed, $77 million is generated in local revenue and $9 million in taxes and fees for local governments.

3.  Support Funding to Meet the Continuum of Housing Needs.  In order to effectively meet the housing needs of all of our citizens and to assist homeless families and individuals making the transition to independence and self-sufficiency, affordable housing must be available along a continuum of housing needs and types, from service-enriched housing for homeless and special needs populations with incomes below 30% of the area median income to rental opportunities for the “working poor,” with incomes between 30% to 60% of the area median, and affordable homeownership opportunities for households with incomes at or below 80% of median.  Truly comprehensive housing policies at all levels of government should provide funding to meet a broad spectrum of documented housing needs for homeless and low-income households across income levels. 

4.  Encourage state and local governments to sustain and increase their commitment to housing and social services that meet the basic needs of low-income and other vulnerable persons. The state legislature and local governments (King County, City of Seattle, and suburban cities) should continue to adequately fund services that meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens, especially low-income children and their families, the elderly and disabled.

LATCH Housing Advocacy Network

You can help create safe, affordable housing for families and individuals in the Puget Sound region – just by making a phone call, jotting a postcard, tapping out an e-mail message, or going for a visit…

LATCH is committed to advocacy as a key strategy in our effort to increase affordable housing, and with 34 member churches located throughout the Puget Sound region, we are in a good position to make an impact on public policy and legislation – but only if you help.  Please join our network of housing advocates and help open the door for those in need of a home.   

LATCH and other affordable housing developers in the Puget Sound region depend upon public dollars and sound public policy in order to address the housing needs of tens of thousands of households who lack the resources to pay market-rate rents.  The purpose of the Advocacy Network is to inform, train and advise advocates who will build support for affordable housing in their communities, and who will respond to specific public policy issues and legislation at the local, state and national level. 

You do not have to be a housing expert to become an advocate for affordable housing!  All you need is the conviction that decent, affordable housing should be available to all, regardless of their income.  We’ll help you do the rest.  As a participant in the Network, you will receive: 

1)  Background information about current housing policy issues. 

2)  A directory of elected officials, which includes information about contacting your local, state and national representatives by mail, phone, fax or email. 

3)  Periodic action alerts. Action Alerts will be mailed, faxed or emailed (your choice) approximately twice a month during the state legislative session and occasionally throughout the rest of the year.  Alerts provide updates on key legislation and usually include a request that you call, write or e-mail your legislator with a specific message.   

4)  Training opportunities. LATCH holds half-day advocacy briefings and training workshops in congregations throughout the Greater Seattle area. 

5)  Invitations to meet with your legislators, either in your district or Olympia.  

6)  The satisfaction of putting your beliefs into action and making a significant contribution to the welfare of those less fortunate. 

For information about joining the LATCH Advocacy Network, please contact Beth Boram at (206) 789-1536, or email @ beth@latch.org.