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Councilmember Dave Gossett May 8, 2009
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Snohomish County Council
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
 
Office: 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
 

THE WORK FORCE HOUSING DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE

 

The Snohomish County Council passed a resolution Wednesday, May 6, 2009 supporting the Work Force Housing Down Payment Assistance Initiative to stimulate the economy and create jobs.  A request will be submitted to Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) for funding for this multi-county proposal.

 

 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was passed by the US Congress with the goal of stimulating the economy and providing jobs for Americans.  One of the principle drivers in the current economic crisis is the decline of the housing industry, resulting in increasing foreclosures, loss of jobs, and reductions in public and private revenues. 

 

"This decline has led to thousands of homes being on the market," said Councilmember Dave Gossett.  "Often homes are at depressed prices, further depressing the real estate market and increasing unemployment."

 

Snohomish, Pierce, King, and Kitsap counties have worked together with representatives of the non-profit and for-profit housing industry to develop the outline of the Work Force Housing Down Payment Assistance Initiative.  The initiative targets moderate income families who earn too much for traditional financial aid.

 

The intent is to apply for $40,000,000 which would provide assistance to purchase between 3,000 and 4,000 homes.  The end result is creation of a region-wide pool to provide down payment assistance to first time homebuyers who have demonstrated that they have pre-qualified for the necessary loan and only need down payment assistance.

 

"I put together the regional plan as a result of a Snohomish County sponsored economic workshop with the housing industry and business leaders several weeks ago," noted Gossett.  "I felt NSP monies would help a significant number of Snohomish County families purchase a home."

 

The Puget Sound region has been concerned for a number of years over the issue of "workforce housing" which refers to the difficulty of working families in this region who have moderate means of affording homes in the communities where they work.  By making the down payment assistance a loan, a revolving fund will be created which will allow the program to continue indefinitely into the future.

 

"This stimulus measure will spur economic growth with job stabilization and new jobs for those involved in the real estate, banking, and housing trades," said Gossett.  "Creation of jobs in these industries will then create additional jobs in other industries.  It's an important step in getting the economy moving again."

 

Workforce Aerospace Training Center Opens in Snohomish County

 

Snohomish County is now home to the WorkSource Aerospace Center, funded through federal recovery dollars to help displaced aerospace workers find new jobs.

 

The center, located at and operated by Edmonds Community College and the Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County, will offer opportunities for former aerospace workers to retrain for other work within the industry.

 

"Snohomish County is committed to safeguarding aerospace jobs in Snohomish County, but the latest round of layoffs in the aerospace industry means there are out-of-work employees needing help," Councilmember Gossett said.  "This center will assist unemployed workers acquire the skills and training they need to return to work."

 

Snohomish County is home to the Boeing Co.'s largest manufacturing complex.  One out of every three to six Washington state jobs is supported either directly or indirectly by the aerospace industry. Within Snohomish County alone, as many as 45,000 people are employed in this and related electronics industries. 

 

"The primary goal of worker retraining is to prepare dislocated workers for new jobs," said Gossett.  "If employers cannot find trained workers in Washington, they will look to other places to locate their businesses.  Our partnership with the Workforce Aerospace Training Center is a commitment to our future."

 
 
Art Contest

The Snohomish County Council has proclaimed May 3-9, 2009 National County Government Week in Snohomish County.  Sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National County Government Week was first celebrated in 1991 to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation's counties.  The theme for this year's celebration is "Greening Our Future."

 

"Snohomish County is proud of the quality and variety of services it provides to the community," said Councilmember Dave Gossett.  "National County Government Week is a great opportunity for the public to take a closer look at what we do, how we do it, and the people behind the services we provide."

 

As part of the week-long celebration, the County Council announced an art contest for Snohomish County students in grades K-5.  Students will be invited to submit art works that demonstrate the many ways in which the county can work to conserve natural resources. 

 

Winners of the contest will be announced in June with the winning art work displayed in county buildings and incorporated into county publications.  One winner will be selected from each grade level, and prize packages will include tickets to the Evergreen State Fair.

 

At the national level, NACo will honor the top county volunteer programs in the country at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. as part of its Acts of Caring Awards Program.

 
I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below.
Sincerely,
 
Dave Gossett
Snohomish County Council