Save My Spot launched on June 1

Check in system allows people on waiting list to stay current

SEATTLE—June 15, 2007—SHA’s Low Income Public Housing program inaugurated its new waiting list check-in system on June 1. On that first day, 580 people checked in by phone, ensuring their continuing position on one or more waiting lists; an additional 148 people checked in on www.savemyspsot.org. By the end of the first week, more than 1,500 people had used Save My Spot.

The check-in system is designed to help move people into housing more quickly by reducing the amount of time required for maintaining, updating, and checking waiting lists. It requires people on waiting lists—applicants who have chosen to wait for housing in one or two of SHA’s Low Income Public Housing buildings—to call in, or to check in on the Web site, once a month, on any day of the month, at any time—24 hours a day.

People who use the telephone system can choose to hear instructions in any of nine languages besides English. Most people used the system’s English options. In descending order, the other languages selected were Cantonese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, Mandarin, Russian, Amharic and Tigrinya. People who use the Web site will see instructions in English and in 16 other languages.

In late May, the Admissions team hosted a meeting of service providers and other interested people at PorchLight to introduce the system and explain why it was being instituted, how and by whom it will be used, and how it will be monitored. Nearly thirty people attended, including representatives from the Low Income Housing Institute, Compass Center, New Beginnings, Arc of King County, the Tenants Union, Valley Cities Counseling, Hopelink and the YWCA.

Some people who attended the meeting raised concerns about the system’s accessibility to disabled and homeless people and people who are not fluent in English. The Admissions staff acknowledged those concerns and suggested a follow-up meeting in a few months’ time to hear and share feedback and to discuss suggestions for improving the system.

Dennis Hall, Admissions Manager, pointed out that SHA piloted the telephone check-in system in two buildings in 2005. “We are monitoring this program very carefully to identify applicants who need extra help in learning how to use the new system,” he said. “We will make accommodations for medical or other reasons, including lack of proficiency in English.”

Hall pointed out that information about Save My Spot had been mailed in mid-May to every person on every Low Income Public Housing waiting list—over 8,600 people in all—along with reminder cards and clear instructions on how to check-in by telephone or on the Internet. A reminder letter and a 16-language instruction sheet are being sent in June to people who had not yet checked in.