The City Counc
il will vote on the Full 2013-2014 Biennium Budget on Monday, November 19. I’ll write a more complete post-budget summary after the final vote. Today, I want to give you just a snapshot of the Council’s successful work to amend the Mayor’s proposed budget to add an additional $1,660,000 in 2013 and $2,230,000 in 2014 for direct human services funding.
I’m pleased that the Council created a human services package to enhance care for our community’s most vulnerable members. In particular, it’s critical that – as part of that package – we’ll increase shelter capacity for the nearly 2,000 people sleeping outside without access to basic shelter as well as increasing day services for people spending the night in shelters that are closed during the day. Shelter and day services programs not only address critical survival needs, but they also serve as outreach centers for those needing healthcare, case management and a connection back to a supportive community.
See here for what members of the community say about the Council’s 2013-2014 budget. Many thanks go out to the Seattle Human Services Coalition, the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness, King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Meals Partnership Coalition. The advocacy of these effective coalitions plays a critical role in convincing the Council to shape public policy in a way that addresses basic human needs.
Here’s the Human Services Budget Package breakdown:
For homeless women, men, and families:
- Rapid Rehousing for homeless people ($200,000 in 2013/2014)
- Funding for additional shelter services ($100,000 in 2013/2014)
- Funding for additional women’s shelter ($50,000 in 2013/2014)
- Funding for homeless day-center services including hygiene in downtown neighborhoods ($200,000 in 2013/2014)
For domestic violence and sexual assault survivors:
- Additional legal assistance for domestic violence survivors ($50,000 in 2013/2014)
- Another advocate for immigrant domestic violence survivors ($45,000 in 2013/2014)
- Bilingual services for domestic violence survivors ($60,000 in 2013/2014)
- Medical advocacy for sexual assault survivors ($75,000 in 2013/2014)
For individuals and families needing food security:
- Increased bulk food purchasing for food banks ($150,000 in 2013/2014)
- Bulk food purchasing for the meal provider system ($50,000 in 2013/2014)
For seniors:
- Increased funding for outreach to home-bound seniors ($150,000 in 2013/2014)
For first-time moms living in poverty:
- Adding funding to the Nurse Family Partnership to increase child’s readiness for school, and reduce crime. ($530,000 in 2013, $1,100,000 in 2014).
