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In This Issue
Message from Director
Mayor Donates to URS
Frye 100th B-Day
LIHI Receives City Funding
One Night Count
New LIHI Board Members
LIHI Project Updates
Housing Advocacy Day
LIHI on Facebook and Twitter
Be Our Partner in Ending Homelessness

 

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LIHI Board of Directors

 Melinda Nichols, State of Washington,

Board President

 

Alan Castle, Retired 

Social Worker, Board Vice-President/Secretary

 Henry McGee, Professor, Seattle University; Board Treasurer

 
Linda Battles, Retired

  

Roderick Butler, N3 Architects

 

Michael Fait, KeyBank
 

Duncan Haas, Photographer

Dwight Prevo, Wells Fargo

 
Beverly Sims, Renton Public Health Center

George Waters, Goodwill Development Association

Marian Yearby, Youth & Outreach Services

Sharon H. Lee, Executive Director
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MISSION: Founded in 1991, The Low Income Housing Institute's (LIHI) mission is to develop, own and operate housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington State; advocate for just housing policies at the local and national levels; and administer a range of supportive service programs to assist those we serve in maintaining stable housing and increasing their self-sufficiency.

Happy Chinese New Year!

From Executive Director Sharon Lee

 

Seniors at The Bart Harvey

Dear Friends,

 

Happy Chinese New Year!  This is not only an auspicious Year of the Rabbit, but also LIHI's 20th Anniversary!

 

We invite you to join us for two events celebrating 20 years of providing low-income housing and supportive services to people in need. We wish to thank all of you who donated, volunteered, financed and made LIHI the organization it is today!

 

Save the dates:  Saturday, June 18th for LIHI's 20th Anniversary Community Celebration & BBQ in conjunction with the Punk Rock Flea Market in the parking lot adjacent to our offices in Belltown!  And Friday, October 28th at the Hyatt Olive 8 for our Banquet & Auction.  See you there!

Mayor McGinn and Wife Peggy Lynch Donate to LIHI's Urban Rest Stop!

 

At year-end, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and wife Peggy Lynch personally donated $3,000 to the Urban Rest Stop.

 

Thank you, Mayor McGinn and Peggy, for your generosity in supporting the needs of our region's homeless individuals and families! The mayor spoke at the 10th Anniversary of the Urban Rest Stop and understands that homeless people need access to bathrooms, showers and laundry services. 

 

From Seattle P-I.com:  "Many city workers agreed last year to forgo automatic cost-of-living bumps to help Seattle deal with budget deficits. Mayor Mike McGinn also pledged to give up $10,000 from his salary, but the complexities of city law didn't allow for his pay to be reduced, so McGinn said he'd give the money to local charities..."  Read the full post.

 

Check out the good work of the Urban Rest Stop and how you can donate: www.urbanreststop.org. 

 

 
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LIHI's Frye Hotel Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Celebration will be held in April 2011

LIHI's Frye Hotel is 100 years old this year!  Located at 223 Yesler Way in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, the Frye Hotel holds a grand place in Seattle's history.  The luxurious Frye Hotel first opened in 1911 by the George F. Frye family and was the largest hotel north of San Francisco (see original announcement). 

A speakeasy and the Golden Corral Restaurant were located in the basement of the building. The Frye underwent remodeling before WWII and housed military personnel during the war.  The Frye was leased in 1966 by Abie Label and Associates, who later purchased it and converted it into subsidized housing in 1971.  LIHI acquired and preserved the Frye Hotel in 1997 to prevent it from being converted to market-rate housing.  Today it continues to provide 234 units for low-income families and individuals. 

LIHI will hold a media and celebratory event with tours at the Frye Hotel in early April 2011. 

LIHI Receives City Funding Award for Senior Housing in Seattle's Central Area

LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee accepts City of Seattle Funding Award for new Jackson Senior Housing at press conference held on January 18th.

L-R: Rick Hooper, Seattle Office of Housing; Trish Blanchard, Sound Mental Health; Sharon Lee; Seattle Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith; Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata

 
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One Night Count of Homeless People

By John Torrence, LIHI Staff

 

Eleven LIHI staff counted the number of people sleeping outdoors in Ballard as part of this year's One Night Count of homeless people (January 28th). 

 

Our team consisted of housing management and office staff who wanted to connect with the individuals and families that we serve on a daily basis.  At 2:00 am, our team, including a photographer from Youth in Focus, split into 3 groups to cover the large area before the 5:00 am deadline.  We found homeless people sleeping in cars and doorways, a couple of teenagers walking around the neighborhood aimlessly, and even an elderly gentleman riding his bike around. 

 

Approximately 200 people were found to be homeless in Ballard.  A total of 2,442 homeless people were counted in Seattle/King County.  While the LIHI team counted fewer people this year than last year, the stories and hardships of those left on the street are still the same. 

 

See 2011 One Night Count Summary By Neighborhood and One Night Count Press Release.

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Two New Additions to LIHI Board of Directors

                      

               Mike Fait                            Roderick Butler       

IHI's Board of Directors has elected two new members: Roderick Butler and Michael Fait.  Butler is owner of N3 Architects.  Fait is Vice President and Regional Manager of CRA Compliance for KeyBank. 

"We are very excited that these two exceptional individuals will be serving on our Board of Directors," stated Sharon Lee, LIHI Executive Director.  "Butler has extensive architectural experience in multi-family, affordable housing and commercial design.  Fait has a wealth of experience in human services and community development. He has expertise in delivering support services in the field of affordable housing." 

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LIHI Updates

 

Pierce County Funding:  In December 2010, LIHI was awarded $100,000 in SHB 2060 funds from Pierce County for rehabilitation work at Sunset Meadows Apartments, located in Milton.  Sunset Meadows Apartments has a total of 29 apartments for low-income families with six units reserved as transitional housing for homeless families with children.  The awarded funds will be used to replace exterior siding and repaint some of the buildings.

HUD McKinney Funds for LIHI:  HUD reauthorized nearly $578,000 in funding for LIHI owned and operated housing projects serving homeless individuals and families.  The annual McKinney/Vento homeless assistance grants provide support for the Urban Rest Stop and subsidize housing and services for over 170 units at 11 projects in King and Thurston Counties.       

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Housing & Homelessness Advocacy Day: 

February 14, 2011 in Olympia.  "Every Heart Needs A Home!"

 

For more information, see Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.  

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Low Income Housing Institute | 2407 First Avenue | Seattle WA 98121
206.443.9935  |   | www.lihi.org

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