“There have been times when the immediate needs of the public housing communities have been so great that the total energy of the agency has had to be devoted to the delivery of services. But the social conditions that create problems for low-income people must be dealt with if the condition of the poor is to change rather than [be] patched up.”
A Neighborhood House staff member wrote these words in the Holly Park Grapevine newsletter, published March 10, 1977.
Our agency has a legacy in not only running programs to increase access to health, education, and economic opportunity, but also supporting policy changes that affect us all. We have always known that solely focusing on one without the other will not do true justice to our communities.
The Neighborhood House Board of Directors stands behind policies and investments that support the health and well-being of low-income people and communities. Learn about the positions we’re taking up today and how you can take action. Specific 2024 legislative measures and agenda include the following.
Priority Agenda
Local
- Parent Child Plus funding to keep up with inflation and pay equity.
- Raising Wages for Changing Lives (Seattle Human Services Coalition) – Wage equity movement to increase human services wages in government contracts and vendor rates.
State
- State CSBG Match at $5.275 million for 2024-25 (Matching FFY22 Levels) prioritizing BIPOC and rural communities.
- Campaign for 20 (Brave Commitments) – Contracts that right size outcomes to funding, adequate indirect.
- $5 million budget proviso (goal $50 million) to support youth development programs. Establish a Youth Division under Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).
- Flavors Hook Kids – ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, which are fueling the youth nicotine addiction crisis in our state.
Federal
- Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA) would restore federal Medicaid, SNAP, disability and other benefits to COFA citizens stripped by the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (welfare reform)
- Retain CSBG funding at the FY 2023 level for FY 2024 and raise CSBG eligibility level to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Head Start Hold The Line – Defend against cuts to Head Start
Support Agenda
Neighborhood House is a member in multiple advocacy coalitions. Activities conducted to further support agenda could include: Sign on to letters, communications via email, Twitter, Facebook, website, op-ed, educating staff, and attending lobby days.
Local
- Seattle Human Services Coalition Priorities
- King County Alliance for Human Services Priorities
- Seattle-King County Coalition on Homelessness Priorities
State
- Washington State Community Action Partnership Priorities
- Children’s Alliance Early Learning Priorities
- Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP
- Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- Progressive Revenue (Balance Our Tax Code)
- Washington Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot
- 10 Year Plan to Dismantle Poverty
- Tri-County Refugee Planning Committee
- Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
- BIPOC ED Coalition
- King County Behavioral Health Legislative Priorities
Federal
- National Community Action Program (NCAP)
- National Community Action Foundation (NCAF)
- National Head Start Association (NHSA)
- Children’s Thrive Action Network