Mia Navarro Wells Executive Director Washington State Coalition for the Homeless PO Box 7436

1. Improving State and Local Policy through AdvocacyNAEH Family Homelessness ConferenceFebruary 7-8, 2008Seattle, WA Mia Navarro Wells Executive Director Washington State Coalition for the Homeless PO Box 7436 Tacoma, WA 98417 (253) 761-7446 wsch_mia@comcast.net www.endhomelessnesswa.org

2. Washington State’s Homeless Housing and Homelessness ActBackground • Passed in 2005, the HHAA (locally referred to as 2163) is a State-funded mandate to reduce homelessness by 50% by the year 2015. • It is funded by real estate transaction recording fees. To date, the fund receives a $28 fee per transaction.

3. HHAA Background cont’d • 60% of the revenue stays in the county where the fee was incurred. • 40% goes back to the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to develop and implement the State’s ten year plan to reduce homelessness by 50% by 2015. State 2163 money that is leftover is used for an annual competitive grant process called the Homeless Grant Assistance Program (HGAP).

4. HHAA Background cont’d • 2163 also requires each county to form a Homeless Housing Task Force made of homeless housing and service providers, local government officials, local business leaders, and at least one homeless or formerly homeless person. • Each task force is charged with developing and implementing a ten year plan to reduce homelessness in that county by 50% by 2015. These plans must address the following: • Housing Production • Homelessness Prevention • Employment • Health Care

5. HHAA Background cont’d • Local task forces determine how funds are prioritized, allocated and distributed based on the unique needs of each county. • CTED is responsible for developing and implementing the State’s ten year plan to reduce homelessness by 50% by 2015.

6. HHAA Successes • Many counties are making progress • Engages new, powerful players • Leverage • Bi-partisan support • Catalyst for additional funding increases and policy changes

7. HHAA Challenges • The economy • Data and outcomes • Lack of affordable housing • Lack of emergency shelter

8. How we made it Happen • Advocacy track record • One statewide message • Strong support of leadership • Climate just right

9. Lessons Learned • Partnerships • Patience • Persistence • Politics

10. Making it Happen in your State • Identify and build a coalition of likely and unlikely stakeholders • Develop a comprehensive, long-term agenda that is offensive not defensive • Develop effective, unified, values-based messaging to advance your priorities • Develop and maintain relationships with your legislators and their staff between sessions

11. Identify and build a coalition of likely and unlikely stakeholders • Develop a comprehensive, long-term agenda that is offensive not defensive • Develop effective, unified, values-based messaging to advance your priorities • Develop and maintain relationships with your legislators and their staff between sessions

12. Demonstrate the link between their priorities and yours • Cultivate champions (bi-partisan if possible) in the legislature who can garner the support of their colleagues, and fast track your priorities • Be conscious of timing when introducing funding and policy requests • Thank them and recognize and them for any and all support