Housing Discrimination Stories

Solid Ground is looking for people who have experienced difficulty in finding housing that have criminal records. There will be opportunities to share your story in an effort to outlaw discrimination based solely on the existence of a criminal record. Even an arrest without a conviction can show up on a background check and impact the chances of moving into the housing that you want. Other cities and states have created ordinances that outlaw discrimination based on arrest records or certain types of convictions. We would like to bring that protection to our area.

If you have any type of criminal or arrest record and have experienced difficulty in finding a place to live, please share your story with us. You can leave a message on our Tenant Services Hotline at 206.694.6748 or email us at tenantwa@solid-ground.org. 

Reminder: MLK Advocacy Day

The Statewide Poverty Action Network will be hosting their annual lobby on Martin Luther King Day, which is Monday, January 18th.  Free transportation will be provided to Olympia from Solid Ground located at 1501 N. 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 leaving at 7am; there are other transportation options available—please inquire by phone call. Additionally, they will provide breakfast, lunch, childcare, and training on how to speak to your legislators.

This year, Poverty Action is focusing on criminal justice reform, TANF and maintaining regulations on payday lending as well as other policies to end poverty.

Please RSVP by Monday, January 11, so they can save a spot for you on the bus! Call 206.694.6867 and ask for David Reyes or email him at david@povertyaction.org. Thank you!

MLK Advocacy Day

January marks the start of legislative session and it's time to make your voice heard in Olympia. The Statewide Poverty Action Network will be coordinating a trip to the capitol on Martin Luther King Day, January 18th for their annual lobby day.  Free transportation will be provided to Olympia. If you have never been to a lobby day, it's a time to speak directly to your legislators about what matters to you.

This year, Poverty Action is focusing on criminal justice reform, reducing restrictions on TANF and maintaining restrictions on payday lending businesses as well as other policies to end poverty.

Again, this will be on Monday, January 18th. Please save the date. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.

For more information about this advocacy day, call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794 or email David Reyes at david@povertyaction.org.

Rent Smart Workshop cancelled

The Rent Smart Workshop has been cancelled.  Call the Tenant Hotline if you have questions:
206.694.6767

Help Save Community Voice Mail and Avoid a Government Shutdown!

Our state legislators have still not agreed on a final budget. This means that our government is heading towards a shutdown on July 1, and many state funded programs helping families and individuals living on low-incomes will stop providing services, including funding for Community Voice Mail!

We need to tell our legislators to come to a budget agreement before the end of June, and include Community Voice Mail in their final budget! 

Please call the legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000 and leave a message for your State Legislators that says: 

Please include Community Voice Mail in the final budget, a program that helps people in need stay connected. Please don’t allow the government to shut down, a move which will hurt many people in our state. 

Also, please email your legislators through this handy action page. Just put in your contact information, and click Submit.

Thank you for your time and help.

We still need your help to save funding for Community Voicemail!

We still need your help to save funding for Community Voicemail and 211! The legislature has finally decided on a state budget amount, but not on which programs will get funded. They will be working on that this week, so it’s one last opportunity to call in to ask them to fund the Community Voicemail and 2-1-1 programs.

Please call the Legislative Hotline number at 1.800.562.6000 and say:

“I’m calling to ask my legislators to please fully fund the Community Voicemail and 211 programs, which help people in need stay connected and access resources.”

When you call, they will ask you for your address. You can use any address where you’re staying, even a shelter.

Also, please email your legislators through this handy action page. Just put in your contact information, and click Submit.

Thank you for your time and help!

We still need your help to save funding for Community Voice Mail!

The legislature was unable to come to a decision on our state’s budget on time, so they have been called back to a special 30-day session, which started this week. We need to keep the need for Community Voice Mail in their minds as they write our new state budget, so it doesn’t fall to the wayside while they make difficult choices on programs to cut.  

Please call the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000 and leave a message for all of your State Legislators that says the following:

"Please fully fund the Community Voice Mail program. Lifeline does not serve everyone and Community Voice Mail provides a vital service for vulnerable people who will otherwise fall through the cracks. Everyone deserves way to stay connected and to access the critical resources they need."

Also, please email your legislators through this handy action page. Just put in your contact information, and click Submit.

Legislators have been told that because we have the government Lifeline program, there is no need for Community Voice Mail. We know this is not true. Feel free to customize your message with a personal story of how these services have helped you or others, or why Lifeline is not a complete solution. You don't need to know who your legislators are to call, but if you don't know and want to find out, you can visit DistrictFinder. When you call, they will ask you for your address. You can use any address where you're staying, even a shelter. 

You might think your voice does not matter. But legislators rarely hear from people, so every voice has a chance to make a huge impact. If you haven’t had a chance to call, please call or write as soon as you can because decisions are being made NOW and every call helps make the case for the importance of this service.

Thank you for your time and help!

Help save funding for Community Voice Mail & 211!

We need your help to save funding for Community Voicemail and 211!

The proposed state budgets from the House and Senate just came out and the Senate budget cuts Community Voicemail and the WIN 211 Referral system. It is important for both House and Senate legislators to hear from you over the next week while they are hashing out the final budget.

Please call the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000 and leave a message for your State Legislators that says:

Please fully fund the Community Voicemail and WIN 211 programs. Everyone needs a way to stay connected and to access critical resources to help them move out of crisis. Lifeline does not serve everyone and Community Voicemail provides a vital service for people who will otherwise fall through the cracks.

Feel free to customize your message with a personal story of how these services have helped you or others. You don't need to know who your legislators are to call, but if you don't know and want to find out, or if you want to email them, you can visit DistrictFinder. When you call, they will ask you for your address. You can use any address where you're staying, even a shelter.

Please call or write as soon as you can because decisions are being made NOW and every call helps make the case for the importance of this service.

Thank you for your time and help!

Poverty Action on the Capitol Day (MLK Day)

We want to encourage you to take action to end poverty this Martin Luther King Day! Come to Olympia with the Statewide Poverty Action Network on Monday January 19^th for their “Poverty Action on the Capitol” Day.

In about two weeks, a free bus will leave Seattle from Solid Ground (at 1501 N 45th St. in Wallingford) at 7:00 am on Monday, Jan. 19. The bus will return around 5:00 pm the same day. You must sign up for the bus in advance by calling Poverty Action at 206-694-6867—Ask for David. 

Free breakfast, lunch, training on how to speak with your legislators, and childcare will be provided. Come to learn about policies that affect low-income people, network with people from across the region and share your story with lawmakers.

We hope you will turn out on January 19^th to call upon the state legislature and the Governor to make ending poverty a priority. For more information call Poverty Action at 206-694-6867.

Free Tenant Rights Workshop Thursday 12/11

Want to know more about your rights as a renter? Wondering how to get your deposit back or request a repair? Would you like to know how the new changes in the laws impact renters? Solid Ground Tenant Counselors are hosting a FREE Rent Smart Workshop for the community this Thursday, December 11th from 5:30 to 7:30, at Solid Ground.

At this tenant’s rights workshop, they will provide information about the landlord-tenant laws in Washington State and discuss the laws and ordinances that apply throughout the housing search process, move-in, during tenancy, move-out and eviction. Bring your questions!

Since there is no agency that enforces the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act in our state, it is largely up to tenants to understand the laws and know their rights in order to take appropriate action to effectively enforce them. They will talk about some tips and best practices for renters to help you assert your rights and have a successful tenancy – whether you are signing a rental agreement, requesting repairs or have questions about your privacy rights.

Especially with recent changes and additions to the laws, challenging situations can arise for tenants. There are remedies available to tenants if a landlord is not complying with the laws, but tenants have to know those remedies are available in order to use them. Knowing the laws and what steps to take, tenants can take action to correct the problem.

If you would to attend the workshop, please RSVP to the Solid Ground Tenant Services Workshop & Advocacy Line at 206.694.6748 or email tenantwa@solid-ground.org.

FREE “Rent Smart” Tenant Rights Workshop 
Thursday, December 11th 
5:30 – 7:30 pm 
Solid Ground 
1501 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Metro Bus routes 16 and 44 will get you there

For more information, visit the website solid-ground.org/Tenant or call the Tenant Services Hotline 206.694.6767 which is open Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 am—4:30 pm.

Don't Forget to Vote by this Tuesday 11/4!

This is a message from Statewide Poverty Action Network, which is the advocacy wing of Solid Ground. We build grassroots power to end causes of poverty and create opportunities for everyone to prosper. We want to encourage you to turn in your ballots on or before Election Day, which is this Tuesday, November 4th. 

In 2014, there are several elected officials you will be voting for, which include, federal, statewide, and local officials. Additionally, there are several initiatives on the ballot:

If you live in Seattle, please Vote YES on Proposition 1, which will preserve bus lines and reinstate some bus routes that have been cut.

Poverty Action is taking a stand on two of the statewide ballot initiatives: Initiative 594, which would make gun sales safer, and Initiative 591 that would make gun sales less safe. Poverty Action is asking folks to Vote YES on Initiative 594, and Vote NO on Initiative 591.

For more information about your candidates and the ballot measures,please call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794 or go to www.povertyaction.org/voterguide.

Washington State votes entirely by mail. If you are registered to vote but have not received your ballot in the mail, you can call 206-296-VOTE to get it resent.  Your ballot must be postmarked or placed in a ballot drop box by 8pm on Tuesday, November 4th. If you don’t have a stamp, there are 10 permanent ballot drop boxes and temporary collection points (vans) located around King County. Call 206-296-VOTE (that’s 206-296-8683) to find a drop box close to you.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 4^th. If you have questions about this message you can call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794. Happy Voting!

Tell us how ConnectUp has helped you!

We could really use your help right now to maintain funding for the ConnectUp program. 

This Wednesday evening we have been asked to testify to the King County Council about why King County should continue to fund ConnectUp. As a nonprofit program that is primarily government funded, the service we provide you depends on our ability to demonstrate that Community Voice Mail has actually helped people connect to vital services especially housing and basic needs.

So we need to hear from you!  

Have ConnectUp services like Resource Wire, Community Voice Mail or Phone and Internet Resources, helped you achieve any of the goals you hoped to accomplish when you first contacted us, such as:

Have you found employment?

Have you secured Housing? |
Have you connected to Social Services?
Have you accessed Health Care?
Have you found Safety from domestic violence?

We plan to share some of the most compelling stories with the King Council this Wednesday the 29^th at the King County Council meeting at 630 pm. Please reply to this email to let us know how ConnectUp has helped you meet your basic needs. Because the County Council meeting is this Wednesday we need to hear from you as soon as possible. We may read all or part of your message aloud for the County Council, but we will not use your name. 

Thank you for your help in keeping this program going. Please reply now to this message and tell us your story of how Community Voice Mail has helped you access housing, social services or other basic needs. Thanks.

Vote by 11/4 & Poverty Action Endorsements

This is a message from Statewide Poverty Action Network, which is the advocacy wing of Solid Ground. They build grassroots power to end causes of poverty and create opportunities for everyone to prosper. I want to encourage you to turn in your ballots on or before Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 4th.

In 2014, there are several elected officials you will be voting for, which include, federal, statewide, and local officials. Additionally, Washington has several statewide initiatives on the ballot, and Poverty Action is taking a stand on two of them. The two initiatives are Initiative 594, which would make gun sales safer, and Initiative 591 that would make gun sales less safe. Poverty Action is asking folks to Vote YES on Initiative 594, and Vote NO on Initative 591.

If you live in Seattle, please Vote YES on Proposition 1, which will preserve bus lines and reinstate some routes that have been cut.

For more information about your candidates and the ballot measures, please call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794 or go to www.povertyaction.org/voterguide.

Washington State votes entirely by mail. If you are registered to vote but have not received your ballot in the mail, you can call 206-296-VOTE to get it resent.  Your ballot must be postmarked or placed in a ballot drop box by 8pm on Tuesday, November 5th. If you don’t have a stamp, there are 10 permanent ballot drop boxes and temporary collection points (vans) located around King County. Call 206-296-VOTE (that’s 206-296-8683) to find a drop box close to you.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 4^th. If you have questions about this message you can call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794. Happy Voting!

Register to Vote Now

Hi. I want to encourage you to register to vote if you haven’t already in time for the general election on November 4^th. This election we will be deciding on a number of important local and state ballot initiatives, and electing people who want to represent you in Washington DC and in Olympia.

In order to qualify to vote on November 4th, voters must be registered in advance. You may register online at myvote.wa.gov, by mail, or in person. If you register by mail the deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration is 30 days before an election. You can pick-up an application at local libraries, post offices or department of motor vehicles. If you miss the 30-day mail-in deadline or if you prefer, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election.  To vote in the general election on November 4th you need to register by mail by October 6^th or in person by October 27^th.

If you are at least 18 years old and are a US citizen you have the right to vote even if you are unemployed, homeless, between permanent residences, or living in a shelter. People who are homeless can register at the shelter, park, motor home, intersection or other identifiable location they consider their residence and use a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office as their mailing address. 

Even if you have been convicted of a felony you can now vote. In 2009 the Washington Legislature passed a new law called the voter restoration act that restores the right to vote automatically to people with felony convictions when they have completed their time in prison and are no longer on supervised probation or parole under the Department of Corrections.

However you must be registered in order to vote.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 4^th.

Vote Yes on Proposition 1: Save our buses, fix our roads

We would like to encourage you to vote for Proposition 1. 

On April 22, voters in King County will have the power to prevent deep and painful cuts to our public transportation system.  Proposition 1, the only item on the ballot, will fund transit, bridges and roads.  We support Prop 1 because we believe that affordable public transportation options are vital in connecting people to resources and opportunities. A vote to support Prop 1  is a vote to increase funding for Metro and keep our buses moving.

The deadline for mailing in your ballot is tomorrow Tuesday, April 22, but your best bet is to do it today!

By supporting Prop 1 you can help prevent deep cuts that hurt bus riders including seniors, working families, students and people with disabilities.  With 400,000 daily road trips, Metro connects people in our county to jobs, family, fun, and opportunity.  

Prop 1 will cost the average King County household $11 a month and it establishes low income bus fare and partial rebates on vehicle fees for low income car owners. The alternative is a 17% cut in Metro services which would be devastating for our community.  Cuts at that level would impact 80 percent of Metro bus riders and 100 percent of commuters. Those cuts are already planned and would take effect this fall unless voters intervene. 

Remember to vote by Tuesday, April 22, and vote YES on Proposition 1.

Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day 1/28

Each year, the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance organizes one of the largest Advocacy Days during the legislative session, Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day. On January 28, you have an opportunity to join with Solid Ground participating in this very important day of action! 

Fair housing is an issue for all that we must unite on to tell our elected officials that everyone has the right and must be given the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, and affordable home. If you are ready to take fighting homelessness to the next level, Solid Ground is inviting you to share your personal story or speak for others in our trip to Olympia!

To register, please go to the website tinyurl.com/hhadreg. Note that you will have to register using a home address so that you may be assigned to the designated legislative representative appointed to your district. If you do not have access to the internet, please call the tenant services advocacy line 206-694-6748 so they can assist you in registration.  After you have finished your registration and would like to travel with Solid Ground, please RSVP with Liszet Chavez-Avila at liszetc@solid-ground.org or call 206-694-6748 to count you in the group.

We will be providing transportation in a Solid Ground Transportation van for anyone interested in attending. Due to timing and traffic, we will be meeting at Sold Ground (1501 N 45th St, Seattle) starting at 7:30am to help get a final count and accommodate everyone on our bus. Note that transportation is limited and advance registration is required.

A light breakfast will be provided.  We will be leaving the agency no later than 8am to arrive in time for the first event of the agenda. You are more than welcome to attend any of the Advocacy Workshops of your choice available in the morning. Lunch will be provided and we will be rallying as an agency to the Capital Steps.

 You will then meet with your legislators where you will be given the chance to speak on your behalf or speak for the cause. If you wish to have your case manager with you for assistance, please let them know beforehand. 

 After all are done speaking, we will be grouping back together at a designated area and drive back together to be at the agency by 5pm. Approximate time might differ due to traffic, please keep in mind when arranging childcare. The 44 and 16 Metro bus lines both go directly to Solid Ground's headquarters building.

Thank you for participating with Solid Ground in Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day!

Poverty Action on the Capitol Day (MLK Day) 1/20/14

 Hi I‘m calling to encourage you to take action to end poverty this Martin Luther King Day! Come to Olympia with the Statewide Poverty Action Network on Monday January 20^th for their “Poverty Action on the Capitol” Day.

In just a week and a half, a free bus will leave Seattle from Solid Ground (at 1501 N 45th St. in Wallingford) at 7:00 am on Monday, Jan. 20. The bus will return around 5:00 pm the same day. You must sign up for the bus in advance by calling Poverty Action at 206-694-6794—Ask for Emiko, or signup online at povertyaction.org/lobbyday. 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Children are welcome. Come to learn about policies that affect low-income people, network with people from across the region and share your story with lawmakers.

We hope you will turn out on January 20^th to call upon the state legislature and the Governor to make ending poverty a priority. For more information call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794 or email mlkday@povertyaction.org. 

Food Stamp Benefits Cuts Coming 11/1. Speak out to your representatives!

Hi, if you receive food stamps or SNAP we wanted to let you know that on November 1^st, food stamps recipients will experience a cut to the number of benefits you receive.

These cuts are happening because a temporary boost to food stamp benefits that was put in during the last recession is expiring. If you are an individual receiving more than the minimum amount of food stamps each month you will see a cut of about 11 dollars per month. For a two person family the cut will be 20 dollars each month, for a family of three the cut will be 29 dollars each month, and for a family of 4 the cut will be 36 dollars. For individuals and couples receiving the minimum amount of food stamps 1 dollar will be cut from your amount each month. We were saddened to learn about the cuts to the food stamp program and know that for many people, every dollar counts when it comes down to having enough food each month.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hunger, please call 2-1-1 to receive assistance with finding food banks, other government programs, and nonprofit organizations that work to improve access to healthy, nutritious food.

If you want to speak out to Congress about the impact of these food stamp cuts, please contact your congressional representatives' agriculture (Ag) staff listed below:

Tell them something like this: 

 “My name is _______. I live in ________ city in your district and rely on SNAP to eat each month. The cuts that are coming on November 1 will be very difficult for me and my family. I urge you not to make any future cuts to this critical program. Thank you.”

Here’s a list of congressional Ag contacts to call/email on the SNAP cuts:

Senate

Murray Ag Staff: Sarah Bolton

sarah_bolton@budget.senate.gov

Cantwell Ag Staff: Paul Wolfe 

paul_wolfe@cantwell.senate.gov

House

If you are not sure who your House representative is, visit app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder

District 1 (Woodinville, Redmond, Kirkland) 

Rep DelBene Ag Staff: Ben Barasky

ben.barasky@mail.house.gov

District 7 (North/West Seattle, Shoreline, Burien)

Rep McDermott Ag Staff: Jason Lemons

Jason.lemons@mail.house.gov 202.225.3106

District 8 (Auburn, Issaquah)

Rep Reichert Ag Staff: Natalie Kamphaus

Natalie.kamphaus@mail.house.gov 202.225.7761

District 9 (Southeast Seattle, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Bellevue)

Rep Smith Ag Staff: Courtney Cochran

Courtney.cochran@mail.house.gov 202.225.8901 

Thanks and take care!

Voter Registration Deadline is Monday 10/7

Hi. We want to encourage you to register to vote if you haven’t already in time for the general election on November 5^th. This election we will be deciding on a number of important local and state ballot initiatives.

In order to qualify to vote on November 5th, voters must be registered in advance. You may register online, by mail, or in person. If you register by mail the deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration is 30 days before an election. You can pick-up an application at local libraries, post offices or department of motor vehicles. If you miss the 30-day mail-in deadline or if you prefer, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election.  To vote in the general election on November 5th you need to register by mail by October 7^th or in person by October 28^th.

If you are at least 18 years old and are a US citizen you have the right to vote even if you are unemployed, homeless, between permanent residences, or living in a shelter. People who are homeless can register at the shelter, park, motor home, intersection or other identifiable location they consider their residence and use  a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office as their mailing address. 

Even if you have been convicted of a felony you can now vote. In 2009 the Washington Legislature passed a new law that restores the right to vote automatically to people with felony convictions when they have completed their time in prison and have served any required community custody supervised by the State Department of Corrections.

However you must be registered in order to vote.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 5^th.

Poverty Action listening session in Kent 8/28

Are you living on a low income? The Statewide Poverty Action Network wants to hear from you!  Join a listening session and share your story. Every year Poverty Action goes around the state to hear directly from people with low incomes.  They want to hear about what issues you are facing and enlist your help to advocate for policy solutions that will provide opportunities for everyone and address the root causes of poverty.

Poverty Action will be holding a listening session in Kent on Wednesday, August 28th from 6-8pm. Participants will receive twenty dollars for their time and dinner will be provided. Childcare is available. Space is limited.  

Poverty Action listening session

Wednesday, August 28th
6:00-8:00 pm
Kent Commons Community Center
525 4th Ave N, Kent, WA
Metro Bus routes 166, 168. 169, 183

For more information or to RSVP call Poverty Action at 1.866.789.7726 or visit www.povertyaction.org.