During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around funding gaps for local organizations and the repurposing of budget allocations aimed at addressing homelessness.

A council member raised concerns about a $640,000 funding gap for We Deliver Care, a BIPOC-run organization that provides essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness and economic instability. The council member emphasized the importance of fully funding this group, noting their effectiveness and the critical nature of their outreach efforts, particularly within communities of color. The council plans to follow up on the status of this funding gap to ensure operations for 2024 are secure.

In another key discussion, the council reviewed the financial situation of the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), which operates tiny house villages and shelters. LIHI has been facing a $2.5 million operating gap due to rising costs and the need for behavioral health services for residents. The 2024 budget has allocated $1 million in ongoing funding to help address this gap, but the executive proposed reallocating $1 million from a previously designated safe lot initiative to support the tiny house villages instead. This decision comes as the safe lot project has yet to become operational, with ongoing efforts to identify a suitable site.

The council clarified that while the safe lot initiative is delayed, the funds being redirected are not from the Salmon Bay safe lot award, which is set to close in May 2025. Instead, the reallocation aims to provide ongoing support for the tiny house villages, ensuring that the operational needs of these facilities are met.

The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness and the importance of strategic funding to support effective community organizations. The council remains committed to finding solutions that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations while navigating budget constraints.