YouthCare believes that all young people deserve a safe and stable place to call home—and that no young person should ever have to sleep outside. We recognize that unsanctioned encampments are not suitable for habitation. Yet we also recognize that the City’s policy of sweeping encampments in the absence of adequate shelter beds or affordable… Read More of “YouthCare Statement on Sweeps”
YouthCare’s leadership unanimously voted to support the De-Escalate Washington ballot initiative—and we urge you to support Initiative 940 too. I-940 is a grassroots effort led by people of color and families who have been impacted by police violence. The initiative would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation and mental health training, and it would change… Read More of “YouthCare Endorses De-Escalate Washington”
Over 40 years ago, Congress passed the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act—the first and only federal law targeted at serving unaccompanied youth. For nearly as long, homeless youth providers and organizations like the National Network for Youth have advocated that Congress fund well-researched and accurate data on the prevalence of youth homelessness. For decades, those… Read More of “4.2 million Homeless Young People is Unacceptable: We Must Do More”
YouthCare supports the renewal of the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). Our region faces an affordability crisis. Rents in Seattle have risen 57% in the last six years and studies show that every $100 increase in rent is associated with a 15% increase in homelessness in metropolitan areas. King County is… Read More of “YouthCare Endorses King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy”
This morning, All Home King County released the results of their point-in-time count of homeless people in our community. The count was performed on January 27, 2017. For this year’s count, All Home employed different methodology than previous years and worked with a new research partner. We have long known that previous counts of 800-1,000… Read More of “YouthCare Responds to All Home 2017 Data on Homelessness in King County”
YouthCare’s Board of Directors recently voted to support the Seattle Housing Levy. The levy would renew and expand the existing property tax levy that funds construction and maintenance of affordable housing—including several YouthCare projects over the years. The August 2 primary election is fast-approaching and YouthCare requests your support for affordable housing. At the end of… Read More of “YouthCare Endorses Seattle Housing Levy”
As you no doubt have heard by now, yesterday morning, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine declared states of emergency in Seattle and our region, regarding people experiencing homelessness. Their action highlights the crisis we all see every day in our community. There has been a 21% rise in unsheltered homelessness… Read More of “YouthCare Responds to Seattle’s State Of Emergency”
With more than 40 years of experience serving homeless youth and young adults, we can say with certainty that the best way to end youth homelessness is to prevent youth homelessness from ever occurring. That’s why homelessness prevention has been a growing focus of our work over the last several years, and why our board of… Read More of “Vote Yes on KC Prop 1 – Best Starts for Kids”
