SEATTLE—October 17, 2007—With additional funding for two community service programs put into place, the Seattle Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the agency’s 2008 budget during their meeting on October 15.
The draft budget presented to the board in September called for the elimination of $81,000 in funding for the Nature Consortium’s Youth Art Program, which provides year-round out-of-school time programming to at-risk youth, ages five to 19, living at Yesler Terrace and Rainier Vista. Through an amendment offered by commissioner Nora Gibson, the Board approved restoration of all funding for the upcoming year.
“While we focus most of our time and resources on providing more affordable and safe housing, commissioners have a deep understanding that family success has many dimensions,” board chair David Bley said.
Nancy Whitlock, executive director of the Nature Consortium, was pleased with the Board’s approval of the budget amendment.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Board of Commissioners and Seattle Housing Authority staff for reinstating the funding for our program, which makes a difference in so many kids’ lives,” she said.
Whitlock cited the vocal support of her organization’s supporters as a key to influencing the board’s decision.
“I think we really caught the attention of the commissioners on the day of the public hearing by the number of supporters that showed up. We were able to get approximately 30 people to write letters of support and send in public comment, in addition to handwritten notes from our youth participants.
“We’re all very passionate about the work that we do and that seems to have a ripple effect on those that we serve.”
The restoration of funding will allow Nature Consortium to continue the Youth Art Program at Yesler Terrace and Rainier Vista, and affords them the opportunity to now look toward expanding its reach.
“We will continue to seek additional funding sources to continue, improve and expand the programs that are in place. We want to continue being an integrated part of these communities,” Whitlock said.
The Board of Commissioners also unanimously adopted an amendment proposed by Commissioner Yusuf Cabdi. It will add $50,000 to the 2008 budget, for the purpose of improving access to community and supportive services for Seattle Housing Authority family community residents of East African heritage. The number of East African residents has risen sharply in recent years, and funding for these services has struggled to keep pace.
In proposing the amendment, Cabdi cited a desire to improve the Housing Authority’s capacity to serve this group of residents, and to empower East African community members for self-help and self-sufficiency.
The allocated funding will be distributed through a vendor selection process consistent with Housing Authority policy. This will occur following consultation with community leaders and affected stakeholders to identify specific program needs and goals.
The board was able to earmark funding for both community service programs by making a slightly smaller contribution to the Seattle Housing Authority’s reserves. The 2008 budget initially offered to the board proposed expenditures from Seattle Housing Authority’s MTW Block Grant that were roughly $2.3 million less than estimated revenues for 2008.
“We had recommended dedicating this $2.3 million in net revenues to reserves,” said Shelly Yapp, the Housing Authority’s chief financial officer.
“By adding money to the reserves, we would have partially restored some of the reserves we spent in 2007 for property acquisition,” she explained. “The commissioners supported increasing the reserves by an amount just under $2.2 million, while restoring funding for the Nature Consortium’s Youth Art Program and adding funds for improved access to services for East African residents.”
The board is realistic, but at the same time optimistic, about the challenges they face in this area in coming years.
“It’s unfortunate that basic life opportunities for residents are always underfunded and remain under enormous budget pressure,” commissioner Bley said. “We haven’t solved the long-term funding issues — and the needs of residents are so unique and diverse, ranging from senior services to youth programs to jobs and health care to cultural and language issues for recent immigrants.
“But the board’s decision to restore and modestly expand funding for these priorities signals we are serious about supporting all aspects of resident life in Seattle Housing Authority homes.”