October, 2015 
Auction Raises $370,000
Thank You Supporters!
 
On October 23rd, LIHI hosted its annual Gala & Auction at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle. It was an evening to remember - full of good friends, wonderful food, and spirited support for LIHI's mission. The event raised over $370,000 for LIHI's supportive services, Urban Rest Stops, Nickelsville, and Tiny Houses. Thank you to all of LIHI's generous sponsors and supporters!  
  

LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee thanking and presenting plaques to

Co-Presenting Sponsors Walsh Construction Co., represented by President Bill Reid, and (R) GGLO Design, represented by Managing Principal Jeff Foster

  
Many wonderful photos of the event are included in this email.  The full photo set can be seen HERE.  Photos by Mark Guenther and Mercedes Elizalde.
 
 
LIHI Supporters Raised the Paddle for $40,000!
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A heated Dessert Dash raised over $15,000 for the Urban Rest Stop!
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The Live and Silent Auctions raised over $62,000!
Highlights:
  • Neil Young Autographed Guitar for $850
  • Russell Wilson Autographed Football Helmet for $1500
  • Farmhouse in Tuscany, Italy for $6,000
  • Superbowl XL Rematch: Seahawks vs. Steelers $5000
  • Great Wolf Lodge Stay & Swim Package $750
  • Four-Night Sunriver, Oregon Getaway for $2200
  • Golf For Four at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge + Cart $750
  • A Luxurious Evening At Willows Lodge & Barking Frog $900
  • Dinner at Canlis for $700
  • Two Club Level Seahawks vs. Rams game tickets went for $900
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Housing Heroes
  
A special Housing Hero Awards ceremony held during the gala honored three stalwarts in the battle to advocate for affordable housing and an end to homelessness.
  
Nick Licata
Nick Licata displays Housing Hero award presented by Sharon Lee (L) and LIHI Board President Melinda Nichols (R)
 
LIHI was excited to honor Nick Licata as a Housing Hero.  First elected to the Seattle City Council in 1997, Nick is serving his 5th term.  A past City Council President, Nick currently chairs the Council's Budget Committee, and the Finance and Culture Committee. In 2012, he was named by The Nation Magazine as progressive municipal official of the year. He founded the National League of Cities' Large Cities Council and co-founded Local Progress, the national municipal policy network. 
 
His work on housing includes closing the loopholes in the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance and doubling the funding for displaced tenants; establishing a Rental Housing Inspection Program; requiring 60 day notice for rent increases greater than 10%; increasing the affordable housing requirements for the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program; and focusing housing levy funding on areas of greatest need.
 
Nick introduced the tent encampment legislation; provided funding for Bianca's Place; supported funding for hygiene services and the Urban Rest Stop; put in place replacement housing requirements for Holly Park, Rainier Vista, High Point, Yesler Terrace; opposed SHA's Stepping Forward program; and led the opposition to an aggressive panhandling ordinance.
 
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
 
Pastor Olsen speaks about the church's mission
  
LIHI was pleased to honor the heroic housing work of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) denomination. The church is located in Seattle's Central Area and the Pastor is Steve Olsen. Founded in 1951, the church has been active in the community for 60+ years. The congregation rejoices in its African-American heritage as it reaches out to all people in an increasingly diverse community. They have sponsored a tent city for Nickelsville at the church site, followed by 1010 S. Dearborn, and now they are hosting the Tiny House Village. 
 
"Joining hands with the homeless is a vital part of our mission of reaching out to ALL of our neighbors in Jesus' Name. Our congregation has cherished its partnership with Nickelsville over the past six years, especially as we have been privileged to welcome the camp to our property for a year, and to continue as their church host in their present location. We are overjoyed to see that partnership expand to include LIHI, as well as Sawhorse Revolution, the Tulalip Tribes, and many others who are working together to create this beautiful new village. To us it is a powerful sign of justice, community and healing in a city where the harmful effects of gentrification have largely been allowed to continue unchecked and unchallenged." - Pastor Steven Olsen, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
 
  
Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness & Hunger   
  
First mobile shower for Ballard built by UW Architecture students and community members
  
The Ballard Community Taskforce on Homelessness and Hunger (BCTHH), an all-volunteer organization originally called "Ballard Homes for All", first assembled in 2007 at the initiative of Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson to help the growing number of homeless people in Ballard. The group's mission is to promote compassionate responses to the hardships experienced by homeless people in Ballard through education, advocacy and direct action . It has brought together service providers, advocates, community organizations both secular and religious, governmental agencies and the community at large to fulfill its mission. 
 
Past efforts have included safe parking for vehicle residents, mobile shower and public toilet, and the honoring of homeless people who have died in Ballard. Recent activities include advocacy for Nyer Urness House, Cheryl Chow Court, the Ballard Urban Rest Stop and the new Ballard city-sanctioned tent encampments.
 
Accepting the award on behalf of the taskforce this evening are Jean Darsie, Sally Kinney, Jennifer Adams, John-Otto Liljenstolpe, Orna Locker, and Karen Studders.
 
  
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Tiny House Heroes
 
 
Tiny House Heroes receiving plaques recognizing their contributions
 
In 2015, LIHI embarked on a brand new project as a crisis response to the growing homeless population in Seattle. The Tiny House Village was developed through a partnership with Nickelsville and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.  Local construction groups and pre-apprenticeship programs are currently constructing tiny houses.  The tiny houses are all less than 120 sq ft in size and include electricity and insulation.
 
The village will be located at 22nd and E. Union on property owned by the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. LIHI will provide case management to the residents to move them into stable housing. 
 
This project would not be possible without the help of local architects, construction groups and financial donors. A special thank you to the groups that have helped LIHI begin this exciting initiative.
  • Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Employment for Women
  • Environmental Works
  • Home Depot - Bellevue
  • Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Renton Technical College
  • Sallal Grange, North Bend
  • Sawhorse Revolution
  • Seattle Colleges, Jill Wakefield, President
  • Seattle Jaycees
  • Seattle Vocational Institute Pre-Apprenticeship
  • South Seattle College - Georgetown
  • Sustainable Ballard
  • Tulalip Tribes TERO Technical Training Program
  • UFCW21
  • Vulcan
  • Walsh Construction Co.
  • Wood Technology Center, Seattle Central College
  • YouthBuild, a Program of YouthCare
  • Individual donors 
  
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Resident Speakers
  
Moving stories from Herman (L) and Naomi (R) were a highlight of the night
  
Naomi's Story
  
Good evening! My name is Naomi Mittet and I'm here to tell you about my experience with homelessness.
  
For a long time I didn't think my daughter and I were homeless. First we stayed with my mom and later moved into LIHI transitional housing. Now we live in permanent LIHI housing, which is wonderful.
  
My life is one that many can relate to. I grew up in Bellingham, went to college in Olympia, got married, and started a family in Seattle. After my daughter was born, I started my own graphic design business.
  
But life's journey isn't linear; it has lots of ups and downs.
 
My husband and I divorced shortly after my daughter was diagnosed with autism. I didn't get to keep the house, so we stayed with my mom. I homeschooled my daughter until her diagnosis was finalized. Which meant I couldn't work and we lived on credit. I studied to get a Special Ed teaching degree online, but it was too much to juggle and I got deeper into debt.
  
I finally found a school for my daughter that had a great program for kids on the autism spectrum. Using my tax return we moved to a place close to her school, and I found part time work in the area. A year after my divorce I started dating a man who eventually became abusive. I feared for our safety and we had to leave the apartment. Consistency is important for kids, so I kept my daughter in the same school while we stayed with my mom again. We drove 2 hours a day for school, which was very stressful for my child. After the move I lost my job. Struggling with the trauma I experienced, I fell into a deep depression.
  
Today we live in a home we love! I am an activist for causes that are important to me: homelessness, affordable housing, domestic violence and autism.
  
Two years ago I was ashamed to tell people what I'd been through. Today I'm proud of what I've overcome. Being homeless is not something to be ashamed of, it's not something we should hide from or ignore. Housing is a human right; let's keep working together to make that happen! Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. 
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Thank You Sponsors!
  
Our incredible sponsors donated $215,000 to LIHI Programs!
  
Special thanks to Co-Presenting Sponsors
Walsh Construction Co. and GGLO Design
  
  
Thanks for you support!
  
      
  
Sharon Lee
Executive Director
Low Income Housing Institute