The Washington state Capitol building, Feb. 19, 2024. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Homelessness is a crisis we can solve — but only if we move beyond temporary fixes and commit to long-term, equitable investments in proven solutions. With the election now behind us, Washington’s legislators have a chance to act for families this January when the 2025 session gets underway.
Homelessness requires sustained effort and a commitment to equitable, trauma-informed support systems. At the organization I lead, Building Changes, we see both the cost of inaction and the hope brought by well-funded, community programs. In the upcoming session, Washington’s lawmakers have a vital chance to strengthen two key investments that have made a lasting difference for youth and families.
For 20 years, the Washington Youth & Families Fund has been our state’s most important resource for driving innovative and equitable solutions to meet the needs of youth and families experiencing homelessness. Last year, 67% of families and youth in programs the fund supports successfully found permanent housing — up from 47% in 2020. This progress was made possible by the Legislature’s $1 million increase for the fund in 2023. To sustain success for Washington families, we are asking legislators to maintain this increase.