HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnderson 11.24.20From: Maxine Anderson <maxinekla@gmail.com>
To: apavone@rentonwa.gov; eprince@rentonwa.gov; rcorman@rentonwa.gov; rperez@rentonwa.gov; rmcirvin@ren tonwa.gov; Julia Medzegian
<jmedzegian@rentonwa.gov>; vohalloran@rentonwa.gov; Kim-Khánh Văn & lt;kvan@rentonwa.gov>; abenedetti@rentonwa.gov
Date: 2020-11-24 18:50
Subject: Re: Public Comment, council meeting 10/5/2020
CAUTION:ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsidetheCityofRenton.Donotclicklinks,replyoropenattachmentsunlessyouknowthecontentissafe.
Good evening Renton City Council and Mr. Mayor,
I'm writing today to express my extreme disappointment in the legislation currently being proposed regarding homeless shelter zoning. While I have communicated my opinions as a
resident of Renton, I have been disappointed by the lack of response and apparent lack of engagement by my elected officials with citizens who are calling for a more compassionate
response to our neighbors being lodged at the Red Lion Hotel. But as someone was recently quoted in a Seattle times article, this issue is about a lot more than just a single emergency
response to the pandemic with the de-intensification facility.
While I have moved on from that job, for two years I worked on the county mobile crisis team, and part of our job is to find people emergency shelter at all hours of the night. There is not
a single shelter or support program available to Renton residents on an emergency basis. If I wanted to take someone someplace to lay their head, or escape from the weather, or even a
hot meal, we were going to Seattle. Renton's lack of services have been pushing people towards the city for years--so it is ironic to see our elected officials talk about "Seattle's" homeless
problem when a great deal of people I encounter downtown are from Renton or elsewhere in King County--and they would rather stay there, but are forced into Seattle by the lack of
services in their own communities.
Aside from the red lion, this zoning ordinance makes clear that Renton would prefer our unhoused neighbors "not in my backyard." Having just passed an ordinance choosing to not
participate in a regional county based approach, it is telling to have the council follow that with a measure that would seriously restrict its own ability to provide services with the funds it
will now be collecting from this new sales tax.
Renton is not and has not been doing its part to support its own residents who are experiencing homelessness. It is disappointing to see the council move in such a way that further
restricts any ability to support our citizens. I hope you will take the opportunity to demonstrate real steps towards more equitable outcomes for all Renton residents, not just the ones
who are housed.
With respect,
Maxine Anderson, MSW
On Mon, Oct 5, 2020 at 8:08 PM Maxine Anderson <maxinekla@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Mr. Mayor and Renton City Council Members,
I apologize for my technical difficulties when trying to provide in person testimony during tonight's council meeting. Since I was unable to speak in person, I
wanted to submit my testimony to you in writing instead.
Good evening Mr. Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Maxine Anderson. I'm a Renton resident and a social worker working in homeless and crisis services in south King County. While I am proud
that Renton is starting to have this discussion around affordable housing, I want to talk about effective solutions and why it’s vital that Renton be part of a
regional approach that creates Health through Housing.
Participating in regional efforts will make sure all of us have access to the full range of housing and services needed to address the ongoing housing crisis
which can only escalate with the economic and mental health impacts of COVID-19. My neighbors in the budget hearing spoke to the importance of
commitments to equity and justice in the budget, and I want to add that using evidence based and effective solutions to homelessness is an important part of
centering marginalized communities.
I see the council is considering enacting their own sales tax instead of supporting the county’s regional “Health through Housing” plan. This ordinance creates a
fund with no strategic plan in place to use the funds. Why should our city reinvent the wheel when there is a plan ready to go on a regional level? All of our work
is strengthened when we pool resources and work together.
Part of my job is to work with law enforcement agencies and find people emergency shelter beds at all hours of the night. I have picked people up all over the
county, from Auburn to Kirkland who tell me they grew up in Renton or lived here before losing their housing. People who experience chronic homelessness live
in and come from every community in our region. Homelessness can only be addressed here in our city if we band together as a region, because piecemeal are
not effective.
People who are experiencing homelessness seek and need shelter and a wide variety of resources throughout the county. In my previous roles working in
domestic violence advocacy I learned that domestic violence is one of the leading drivers of homelessness for many families. Part of improving responses to
domestic violence needs to include a comprehensive regional approach to affordable housing.
It is important that we all work together to address these issues. Please slow down and work with King County so our unhoused neighbors in Renton have their
best chance at improving their lives. We all stand to be much better off if we act together as a region.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Maxine Anderson