To: The Committee to End Homelessness
From: Nancy Eitreim, President, LWV of Seattle
Becky Cox,President, LWV of King County South
Date: April 13, 2006
To Members of the Committee to End Homelessness,
The League of Women Voters believes that those who are unable to work, whose earnings are inadequate or for whom jobs are not available should be assured of public assistance and/or services sufficient to meet their basic needs for food, shelter and access to health care. The League supports specific programs to aid homeless families and single adults to prevent homelessness. We also believe that all levels of government and the private sector share the responsibility to help alleviate the housing shortage for low income people.
To that end, The Leagues of Women Voters of King County support the goals and direction of the county-wide plan to end homelessness in 10 years as envisioned in A Roof Over Every Bed in King County: Our Communities Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. The plan embodies a respect for the dignity of each person. Those in need of assistance are given housing first and then adequate support services. The League is firmly committed to the goals of prevention and early intervention which should lead to no person being homeless.
The Leagues of Women Voters of King County will monitor the implementation of the plan over the next nine years. We will focus on key factors such as adequate funding for housing and support services, the evaluation and effectiveness of measures being implemented, and whether cultural relevancy, privacy and consumer involvement are included in all aspects of the plan.
As an organization committed to active participation of citizens in government, we would like to participate in community education and outreach to increase the political will and support for this plan. We believe that this plan will provide a dignified alternative to our current system and will bring permanence and stability to all our residents.
Sincerely,
Nancy Eitreim, President, The League of Women Voters of Seattle Becky Cox, President, The League of Women Voters of South King County