Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County

Your voice can make a difference.
Get involved.

Grassroots advocacy works. You can be an effective champion for affordable housing by contacting elected officials and other policymakers on issues that impact the development and availability of affordable housing. Multiply your influence by spreading the word to your friends and colleagues. Let them know what they can do.

What You Can Do:

 

1. Make an appointment to meet with your federal representative and senators.

To secure time with your representative and with the two senators, contact their staff as early as possible to make an appointment. Be sure to mention that you are a constituent of their district and whether or not you develop or maintain units off affordable housing. For more infomation:

Key messages for these meetings:

  • Fully fund all housing programs! Healthy communities need a variety of resources such as Section 8 housing vouchers, Community Development Block Grants, the McKinney-Vento act and Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
  • Support the National Housing Trust Fund! In 2008 the NHTF, a new trust fund for the development and maintenance of affordable housing throughout the country, was passed into law. The next critical step is securing a dedicated source to provide $1 billion for the NHTF as proposed in the President’s 2009 budget. Support this critical step forward in the fight for decent, affordable housing.
  • Tell them why you care. Be sure to let your elected representatives know the valuable role you play in the development, maintenance and/or public support of affordable housing. If you maintain units, tell them how many. If you build properties, tell them about the jobs you create. If you direct an organization, tell them about the communities you serve. If you’re a supporter, let them know how important affordable housing is to you!

Tips for effective advocacy.

Contacting your legislator

It's hearing from constituents that often makes the difference when it comes to actions taken by your elected representatives. Talking by phone or meeting in person with local officials and policymakers, councilmembers, legislators and congressional representatives can be productive ways of affecting the availability of affordable housing in your community.

Taking the time to write a letter is an excellent way to show your concern over an issue and prompt them to pay attention. Keep in mind these tips when writing a letter to an elected official:

  • Identify yourself, where you live and if you represent an organization. If you live in their district, identify yourself as a constituent.
  • Tell them why you are contacting them. Be specific about what you want them to do. For example, start your letter with, "I'm writing to ask your support of Senate Bill 0000 on housing for seniors."
  • Keep it short. Support your position with accurate facts, reasons and personal experiences.
  • Be polite and constructive. Thank them.

We would appreciate receiving a copy of your letter. Send to: hdc@housingconsortium.org

Writing a letter to the editor

Letters to the editor in newspapers are one of the most highly read sections of the newspaper. They are usually written in response to a story that has recently appeared in the newspaper, so timeliness is important. They're an excellent way to generate public dialogue on an issue.

  • Have a point and make it quickly.
  • Be creative
  • Write from a personal perspective.

Try to directly reference a story from that paper. Maximum length is usually 200 words. You may mail, fax or e-mail your letter, but letters must include your full name (no initials), home address and daytime and evening telephone number(s) for verification. Only your name and city of residence are published. All letters are subject to editing.

Seattle P-I:
Email it to:
editpage@seattle-pi.com
Fax: 206-448-8184
Mail: Letters to the Editor
Seattle PI
PO Box 1909
Seattle, WA 98111-1909		 Seattle Times:
Email it to:
opinion@seattletimes.com
Fax: 206-382-6760
Mail: Letters Editor
The Seattle Times
PO Box 70
Seattle, WA 98111

Talking Points

We've developed a set of key messages that you can incorporate into your letters. One tip is to keep your letter short, concise and make it personal by giving an example of how the shortage of affordable housing has impacted you, your community or someone you know.

  • Everyone needs housing—a roof over their head.
  • Affordable housing is good for the economy—it helps people get jobs and keep them.
  • Your grandparents and other seniors shouldn't have to worry about having a place to live.
  • Without enough affordable housing, the whole community suffers.
  • Businesses can't find enough employees who can afford to live near their workplace. It is difficult to recruit and retain employees when there is a shortage of affordable housing.
  • Homelessness forces children into unstable and uncertain lives. With a stable home, a child is able to focus on learning without worrying about moving during the school year.
  • Seniors and persons with special needs on fixed incomes may have to sacrifice their basic needs in order to afford rent. Imagine choosing between food and a roof over your head.
  • Investing dollars and other resources in nonprofits is an investment in stable neighborhoods, which helps promote self-sufficiency. The pay-off is more productive people who are less dependent upon remedial and government assistance.