Olympia to Declare Homelessness a Public Health Emergency

Above: An encampment on the corner of State and Washington Streets, across from Intercity Transit, on a recent Saturday morning in downtown Olympia. On any given night in Olympia, approximately 130 people can be found sleeping in doorways and on the street within an 81 block area of downtown.

The main causes of homelessness are related to economic and family stability

By Janine Gates

Little Hollywood

https://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The homelessness situation in Olympia has reached crisis proportions.

At its July 17 meeting, the Olympia City Council is expected to present on first and final reading an ordinance declaring homelessness as a public health emergency. 

Doing so will allow the city to move forward on financing and other efforts to tackle the issue.

The ordinance outlines how the experience of being unsheltered is traumatic and endangers public health. Individuals living out of doors are exposed to harmful weather conditions, communicable diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, respiratory illnesses, malnutrition, and violence.

Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma are exacerbated because there is no safe place to properly store medications or syringes.

When a person’s health is continually compromised by unstable conditions, health care services are rarely effective. Inpatient hospitalization or residential drug treatment and mental health care rarely have lasting impacts when the person is returned to a homeless environment.

The cities of Seattle and Tacoma, Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles have already passed similar resolutions in order to provide expedited emergency services and shelters for unsheltered individuals, families and unaccompanied youth.

Above:  From a parking lot near Intercity Transit on Saturday morning, volunteers with Joyful Hands Ministries make pancakes and other breakfast items to serve street dependent individuals and others in need in downtown Olympia.

Street feed coordinator Dee Hampton said that close to 300 people were fed. “For this time of the month, that is about average. We have seen over the last year or so such an increase in our homeless population,” she said.

“My heart is always overwhelmed by how many of our families love to give donations to help us continue feeding them even though they give a dollar or 50 cents. They give what they have because they are so thankful we are there for them each week. That is a story that I want to share…the thankfulness and love we receive back from our homeless community,” said Hampton.

Olympia, Thurston County Statistics

Anna Schlect, City of Olympia housing program manager, discussed the most recent Thurston County Point in Time homeless census data with Little Hollywood. 

Each January, Thurston County conducts a “point-in-time” count to capture the number and characteristics of people living without a home. The census began in 2006.

The 2018 Thurston County Point in Time census conducted in January identified 835 homeless persons. 

The definition of homelessness includes people living in emergency shelters, transitional housing and substandard housing.

Of that number, 320 were unsheltered individuals, living out of doors, in cars, under bridges and highway overpasses and other places not meant for human habitation. This number marks a 56 percent increase from 2017.

According to a Point in Time homelessness related survey, the top four reasons for homelessness are job loss and unemployment, eviction and loss of housing, family rejection, and domestic violence.

Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed said they lived in Thurston County before becoming homeless.

Rent Increases

Not all people experiencing homelessness sleep outside. 

“Oftentimes, people blame homeless individuals as though it’s their personal failing that causes their homelessness,” said Schlect. 

“Looking at the data, homelessness rises and falls with the economy. It shows that homelessness rose to a high point in 2010, which was also the high point of the recession in Washington State, and that it started dropping with the recovery. But in the last couple of years, it started spiking up sharply again, in sync with rent increases.

“In a parallel study called the Assessment of Fair Housing, we did a survey of nearly 1,200 people. Of those who are renters, half said they experienced a rent increase of an average of $100 a month in the past year. So that’s a very significant pressure on low income households,” Schlect said.

Little Hollywood recently met an employed Olympia woman who is paying $925 a month for a poorly insulated, two bedroom apartment on Olympia’s westside. A stable and responsible tenant, she and her pets have enjoyed living there for five years.

Unexpectedly, her landlord recently raised the rent $575, for a total monthly rent of $1,500, starting August 1. She is unable to make that financial leap.

Reflective of the data, her story is not unique.

Next Steps

On July 18, the council’s Finance Committee will present an oral report on estimated costs and funding for the ordinance. That meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. and be held at Olympia City Hall, 601 4th Avenue East.

The ordinance would stay in effect until June 2021, at which time the city council would determine if conditions warrant keeping the public health emergency measures in place.

Little Hollywood often writes about homelessness issues, past Point in Time census events, and unsheltered, street dependent, houseless individuals. For more information, go to Little Hollywood and use the search button to type in key words.

South Sound GLBT Activists Celebrate Supreme Court Rulings

Above: Local GLBT activist Anna Schlect, dressed as a Supreme Court justice, celebrated today's United States Supreme Court rulings at the Urban Onion in downtown Olympia tonight.

 

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

South Sound gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community members and their allies gathered tonight at the Urban Onion in downtown Olympia to celebrate the United States Supreme Court’s historic day of decision on two marriage equality cases.

 

The court's striking down of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies benefits to same sex couples, now means federal benefits, over 1,000 statutes and regulations involving tax, survivors and veterans benefits, bankruptcy, housing, visitation rights at hospitals and more, will be extended to all married couples, including gays and lesbians. 

 

The court also sent Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriages after it had been legalized by the California Supreme Court, back to California. It was rejected by the Supreme Court today on a technicality, with the court saying it lacked jurisdiction in the case. Activists expect same sex marriages to resume in California in about a month. Both decisions are seen as a victory for the GLBT community and their supporters, making it just a matter of time that marriage equality may be extended to all 50 states.

 

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia currently have marriage equality legislation in place. Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation legalizing same sex marriages in Washington on February 13, 2013.

 

South Sound Activists Celebrate....And Remember

 

Moderated by local GLBT activist Anna Schlect, who was humorously dressed as a black robed Supreme Court justice with numerous strands of colorful Pride beads, tonight's celebration welcomed GLBT activists and allies to speak, including several members of the local faith community. It was standing room only as some recalled past campaigns and those who are not here today to witness the victory.

Schlect said she received an early morning telephone call from the Governor's office asking her to bring a Rainbow flag to hoist at the Capitol Building. She did so, although the flag has yet to be flown, given the urgent budget battle, the outcome of which is still to be determined.

"For those of you who haven't lived through a historic occasion, this day is for the books! This is a sea-change, a watershed moment that will make a difference in the United States...but there's lots more work to do...and more conversations with friends and neighbors about this....There has been, and will be, more backlashes by fearful, ignorant people, so we all have to keep the fight going!" said Schlect.

The Reverend Amy Walters of First Christian Church said, "Faith communities know that each person is created in the image of God - the death of DOMA is a tremendous step toward justice and equality....but the fight is not over...." The Reverend Carol McKinley of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church and Rabbi Seth Goldstein of Temple Beth Hatfiloh also spoke.

 

Gib and Beth Rossing are parents of two gay sons and two straight daughters. Active with PFLAG, a support group for parents and families with GLBT children, they said they are very excited about the decisions, and said that one of their sons, who lives in Indiana, a state that does not yet allow same sex marriages, was married to his partner this past weekend at Priest Point Park.

Above: Flirticia Fondue performs at the Red Ribbon Gayla event at the Olympia Ballroom on Saturday night.

 

Hearing this morning's Supreme Court news, drag queen Flirticia Fondue, 50, of Olympia, who was not dressed in drag tonight, said, "For me, I was elated, but I also felt a loneliness for all the heroes who could not be here tonight. We know Harvey Milk and Matthew Shepard, but there are many other nameless heroes who are not with us today....We have them to thank for where we are today." After asking the crowd for a moment of silence to remember those heroes, Fondue added, quietly, "I'm glad I got to experience this while I'm still alive."

 

In an interview later, Fondue said that he was one of five young gay children adopted by a gay man. "I'm the only one of the five who is left...the others died of AIDS. Now I'm an only child...."

 

Above: Partners Lisa Brodoff, left, and Lynn Grotsky spoke tonight at the Urban Onion. Brodoff and Grotsky were litigants in the first "out" second-parent adoption case in Washington State in the 1980's. Brodoff said, "This is a day to show our children that the arc of justice does bend toward justice...."

 

Asked before the party what this day means to her and her partner Lisa Brodoff, Lacey resident Lynn Grotsky gushed with emotion, “We were already excited for our wedding at our Temple on July 28, but the joy to know that we are granted the same 1,000 or so rights that heterosexual couples have….that we are truly full-fledged equal citizens of the United States of America and that we, nor our children, will ever again have to feel as "other" simply because of love, is astounding! I have been floating above the ground all day! And our wedding will truly be a full acceptance of our 32 year relationship, both under the eyes of God and the laws of our country. And now we'll work towards equal rights for all the other states in our nation and the world.”

 

For more articles about marriage equality in Washington State, GLBTQ issues, Capital City Pride, and other related issues, go to www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type in key words, using the search button.

 

Above: The Urban Onion on Legion Way is a great place to have a party....

 

Homeless Census More Than Just Numbers

Above: Anna Schlect, city of Olympia's housing program manager, and lead coordinator for Thurston County's 2013 "Point In Time" homeless census count, reviews interview forms submitted by volunteer Marci Price this afternoon.

 by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

By late afternoon today, an estimated 200 - 300 homeless people arrived to take advantage of social services offered by regional partners, said Anna Schlect, city of Olympia's housing program manager.

The city and Thurston County entered into an agreement to conduct Thurston County's annual "point in time" homeless census. The city will provide preliminary result information to the county by March 1. The definition of homelessness includes people living in emergency shelters, transitional and substandard housing, those who are unsheltered, such as cars, tents, parks and sidewalks, and those living in the homes of family members or friends.

The census numbers are used by federal, state and local governments to help them qualify for tax funding and guides the allocation of tax dollars toward shelter and services. Eighty percent of the actual homeless count comes from agencies, said Schlect, so the results are not based solely on the census numbers gathered today.

In past years, volunteers have gone out to find and interview homeless people. This year was different. To reach the homeless who are not receiving shelter or services from any agencies, the event today involved a coordination of providers offering resources and needed on-site services in one location, proving that the census involved more than just numbers.

"This is the first time we've done this...it's mostly been fantastic. As with any first attempt, there's been a few bumps, but this has been an amazing experience to see what it takes to put together a full service community center with food, social services, haircuts, and medical services...we even have even valet parking for people's bicycles and backpacks!" said Schlect. Schlect said the people who have come to take advantage of the services have been very appreciative, especially for the haircuts.

"Our partners have been wowed by the opportunity to get out of their normal flight path to spend time understanding all the needs of the homeless," she said. "We've also partnered with police, fire and medical services. In fact, this is a great trial run for how we need to respond to a natural disaster. Last year was Snowmaggedon. We needed to learn how to accommodate the homeless. So here we are, with four active faith communities within two blocks. This is where we can serve three distinct populations: families and children, unaccompanied youth, and single adults. After a natural disaster, people with homes get to go home, but homeless people get pushed out. It's heartbreaking...." Schlect has been involved with efforts to learn from the missteps of last year's cold weather response.

Sitting with Schlect throughout our outdoor interview, Schlect fielded a constant stream of volunteers returning from the field to discuss their interview forms, and answer questions from community members. Over a 24 hour period, about 175 volunteers will have fanned out to cover Thurston County and collect data in rural communities, the urban hub, and other areas where the homeless are known to gather.

Marci Price, who is employed by the city of Lacey, was one of those who returned her forms to Schlect. She said it was her first time volunteering for the homeless census and told Schlect she wants to do it again next year.

"It was very rewarding. Everyone I greeted was very receptive, welcoming, wanting to tell their story," said Price. Price told Schlect that she had contact with eight homeless people, but only returned three completed forms because the others had already been contacted by volunteers.

"Sometimes that feels like you didn't sell as many Girl Scout cookies but it's important to check," Schlect joked with Price. Asked by this reporter how long she spent speaking with each person, Price said it depended on how much they wanted to talk, saying she spent between five to 15 minutes or longer speaking with each person.

"You're the best!" responded Schlect. Schlect, however, genuinely praised everyone with that phrase many times over, thanking volunteers for their time.

The Homeless Connect event staged tents in the 800 block of Franklin Street today and used the First Christian Church as its base, providing the homeless biscuits and gravy for breakfast, spaghetti and meatballs for lunch, and chili and tomato soup for dinner. The warm space and musical entertainment was also provided throughout the day.

Local service agency volunteers were also available, ready to offer referrals for a wide range of mental health and chemical dependency programs, veteran's programs, and victim's advocacy assistance. Temple Beth Hatfiloh, across the street on 8th Avenue, offered a medical clinic, offering flu vaccinations, blood pressure checks, vision and dental screening, and more.

Preston Anderson, a housing case manager for the Veteran's Administration, said he helped five people today and feels he would not have reached them had it not been for the event today. "The older vets, Vietnam vets especially, were often given misinformation, became discouraged and stopped searching for housing - they gave up. So now, there's more of a presence and outreach to reach homeless veterans. Anderson said he attends the once a month meeting of the Homeless Coalition Taskforce coordinated by the county.

"This point in time homeless count allows us a better chance to help a part of the population we might not ordinarily get to - an opportunity to provide services to those we might not otherwise see," said Mark Freeman, Thurston County Public Health's social service director, as he hurried around the First Christian Church kitchen, whipping up a mean batch of chili for dinner.

Mark, a volunteer who preferred that I not use his last name, arrived to help in the kitchen. Asked why he volunteered today, he said, "I'm here because I feel happier with myself when I serve the community." Mark says he is a phone volunteer for the Crisis Clinic of Thurston/Mason County.

Nicole Hill, Tumwater city councilmember, also arrived for the dinner time shift, ready to help. Asked why she offered to volunteer, Hill said, "I feel well versed in many issues, but the social service arena is my weakness, so I came to learn, help, and get an understanding for what underserved citizens are experiencing."

Hill said she also helped do some in-take interviews with the homeless this morning. Clearly moved by the experience and the stories obviously still fresh in her mind, Hill immediately choked up and took off her glasses to wipe away tears. "Hearing some of the stories was humbling...the women's stories are difficult....the domestic violence...the kids...it's heartbreaking...." That was all she could say at the moment.

Ky, the Chicken Guy

Ky, 24, said he's known as Ky the Chicken Guy because he likes chickens. So much so, he rescues roosters and tries to find them new homes. He's pretty successful at it. Ky has been homeless since April.

I found him in the tent hosted by Covenant Creatures, a local nonprofit that provides pet food and assistance to street pets and their owners, the working poor, the disabled, and senior communities. Ky was accompanied today by Squeaker, one of his chickens.

Ky grew up in Edmonds and in 2007, received a Washington Association of Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship. It was his work as a certified veterinarian assistant that got him the scholarship. He moved to Olympia with the intention of going to The Evergreen State College, but in the meantime, federal laws changed that barred his attendance. So, he enrolled at South Puget Sound Community College. A year and a half into his studies, Ky says the government said they couldn't pay for the scholarship.

"Before I moved down here, I had several veterinary clinic job opportunities lined up, but then the economy tanked, and those doors closed. Then I wasn't able to pay my rent. There was tension with roommates, so I moved out, and ended up on a farm in Lacey. But then they decided to grow marijuana on the property and I wanted no part of that, so...." Ky proceeded to give me more details about his current living location and situation.

Asked if he has accessed some of the services available today, he said he got a flu vaccine. I expressed concern for his safety and comfort on cold days like this, but Ky said his chickens are like "little heaters" and he is plenty warm in his tent.

I asked Ky if he felt safe where he was now. Expressing personality, humor, and confidence, Ky assured me of all my concerns, saying he successfully intervened when he saw a man beating a woman and rescued one of his chickens from getting its head bitten off by a opossum, so yes, he felt safe, and added, "I'm in control of my happiness whether I'm homeless or not...."

"You know, I want to break down stereotypes. When I tell people I'm homeless, they've actually said to me, 'You look too well dressed to be homeless,' or 'What drugs are you on?' I'm clean and sober. I don't do drugs. I have the most boring homeless story ever."  He said his goal is to get a degree in veterinary medicine, and own several acres to convert it into a cock-fighting rehabilitation center.

Asked what he needs, he said he needs chicken feed, since people tend to give dog and cat food to agencies like Covenant Creatures. Leanne Johnson, Covenant Creatures' program director, who was nearby throughout the interview, agreed. "I also need wood shavings for them, but not cedar."

Anyone wishing to donate chicken feed or wood shavings for Ky's chickens may do so through Covenant Creatures. They can be reached at (360) 357-6301, CovenantCreatures@vircom.net or go to www.CovenantCreatures.com.  

Above: Ky, the Chicken Guy, and his friend Squeaker.

In light of the ordinances recently passed by the Olympia city council that target the homeless community, a community conversation about homelessness will be hosted by Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (POWER) on Monday, February 4, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Darby's Cafe, 211 5th Avenue, in downtown Olympia.

A potluck will start at 5:30 p.m. From 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., homeless people are invited to speak about their experiences, then from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., the discussion will focus on finding solutions.

In last Tuesday's city council meeting, Mayor Stephen Buxbaum expressed his disappointment that the Salvation Army had decided to pull out of recent discussions regarding their involvement in providing a low barrier shelter. "I was very surprised and a little discouraged," he told councilmembers. Councilmember Nathaniel Jones also expressed his disappointment. "The city is interested in being part of the solution but we need partners."

The Olympia city council will host a study session on homelessness with Thurston County homeless taskforce coordinator Theresa Slusher on Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers.

Celebrate Community - Defend Equality: Pride 2012

Above: Susan Haas and her partner Khristine today in Sylvester Park.

Celebrate Community - Defend Equality: Pride 2012

by Janine Unsoeld

A downtown parade, thousands of people, live music and entertainment in Sylvester Park, facepainting, flags and food, kids of all ages dancing, politicians, petition signing, community nonprofit booths and vendors, smiles, sunshine, and rainbows galore - it must be Capital City Pride 2012!

Thurston County Commissioner Cathy Wolfe enjoyed the day with her daughter Susan Haas and Haas' partner, Khristine. "Since she came out last year, I can't tell you the difference in my daughter - I support her 1000%....She is now the person God intended her to be," said Wolfe.

Wolfe says she is so proud of her daughter and thanked her for being who she is.

"For 40 years, I suspected she was gay," said Wolfe. "Then, she grew up, got married, and I thought, hmm...well, maybe I was wrong. But then, she called me one Sunday night last year, crying, and poured her heart out..."

Haas agreed, and picked up the story. "I'm 48. I was married for 23 years. I did everything right, had two kids...I didn't know I was gay, I just knew something wasn't right. Then, I met the love of my life," said Haas, referring to her partner Khristine, sitting nearby. Asked how her children, who are 17 and 19 years ago, took the news, Haas said, "They're coming around...they want me to be happy."

Above: The Capital City Pride parade goes past the colorful Governor Hotel.

Above: Female impersonator "Kimberly", 23, a student at the University of Washington, performed today in Sylvester Park. Her advice to queer youth: "Be you - don't conform to other people's expectations. Live for you, not other people."

Above: Female impersonator "Terronce", 19, a hairdresser at a salon in Lacey, wowed the crowd with Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)."

Above, from left: Alec Clayton, Gabi Clayton, and Capital City Pride co-chair Anna Schlect hold down the information booth for a shift today. Pride 2012 inaugurated a new annual award by honoring Gabi and Alec Clayton for their community work with the 2012 Gabi and Alec Clayton Activist Award.

Many more GLBT related events and activities are coming up:

"How Much Does Marriage Equality Matter?" June 19, 6:00 - 8:00pm, 317 4th Avenue, downtown Olympia. This free event will feature a diverse panel and opportunities for audience members to share their own thoughts. For more information, go to www.StonewallYouth.org.

Want To Start A Queer Band? Queer Rock Camp is July 23rd - July 28 in Olympia. No musical experience necessary - learn drums, bass, keys, guitar, vocals, or turntables. Perform in front of a public audience at the Capitol Theater. Apply online at www.queerrockcamp.org.

The Pizza Klatch is a positive, lunchtime support group in six local public high schools (Timberline, North Thurston, Tumwater, Avanti, Olympia, and River Ridge) for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth and their straight allies. Pizza is served at each school one day a week. About 15 - 25 people attend per group at each school! Since pizza costs money, funds are raised through benefits such as auctions, dances, concerts, and private donations and grants. An auction is coming up on Sunday, September 9th. For more information, go to www.pizzaklatch.org.