I'm pleased to announce the recipients of our 2012 advocacy awards! I hope you'll join us on May 31st to celebrate these committed individuals and organizations, and the power of advocacy.

Tickets and more information are available here. And now the awardees...

Legislator of the Year - Hans Dunshee, 44th district
The legislative session started with a tiny Capital Budget that did not include an allocation for the Housing Trust Fund, but because of the skillful and determined work of Representative Hans Dunshee, the session ended with more than $67 million to create or preserve more than 1,800 homes for low-income households. This brings the two year budget total to an incredible $118.9 million! Because of Rep. Dunshee's work, the final budget also included an additional $25 million for weatherizing and energy efficiency, to make home costs more affordable for low-income households.

Leadership in Advocacy - Washington State Labor Council
We present this award when we want to recognize an organization we partner with to improve the housing stability of low-income families and individuals. During the 2012 legislative session, the Washington State Labor Council organized and led the effort to pass the “Jobs Now” bonds package, which included funding for the Housing Trust Fund. In addition to the $67 million that will be invested in low-income housing because of the package, the legislation will create 20,000 new jobs - improving the housing and financial security for workers and their families in every community in the state.

Individual Advocate of the Year - Patricia Ridge
Patricia has taken the injustices she experienced while struggling to find safe, affordable housing and has transformed them into opportunities to improve the rights of tenants across the state. Sharing her story helped elected officials to understand the way that tenant screening issues intersect with the child welfare system, with the struggles of survivors of domestic violence, and more. Patricia's willingness to show the real life need for better legislation has been instrumental in moving the Housing Alliance's policy agenda forward. Patricia is a leader with the Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee - a group of parents who work with Children's Home Society on issues related to child welfare, and with other advocacy groups as well.

Organizational Advocate of the Year – Salvation Army, Spokane Regional Services
The Spokane based Salvation Army was a tremendous and skillful advocate for the Housing and Essential Needs Program. After inviting Senator Majority Leader Lisa Brown to a tour of their program in late 2011, the Senator repeatedly shared throughout the legislative session that the tour illustrated the importance of the program. The Salvation Army also gathered stories directly from those requesting services and from staff who worked on the front lines. The stories showed lawmakers  the raw brutality of homelessness and of the critical role that the Housing and Essential Needs program was playing in preventing and ending homelessness. Those stories were powerful and influential and played a significant role in saving the program from elimination and in keeping it fully funded.

We'll also recognize a talented and committed group of legislative leaders, including: Speaker Frank Chopp, Rep. Jeannie Darneille, Sen. David Frockt, Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, Sen. Steve Hobbs, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Sen. Sharon Nelson, and Sen. Ed Murray.

I hope to see you on May 31st! For more details click here.

Sincerely,
Rachael Myers