When we think about homelessness in Seattle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Since 2010, average rents in the Seattle region have risen by 65 percent. Over that same period unsheltered homelessness in King County has nearly doubled, from a street count of 2,759 people in 2010 to the 2017 unsheltered count of 5,485.
And yet, we see that solutions are possible. For nearly 25 years, Real Change has stood up for homeless people, and by not letting perfect get in the way of good. Yes, the solution to homelessness is housing, but in the meantime, we must adequately support people’s basic survival.
That work begins with letting people know they are valued.
It begins with looking a Real Change vendor in the eye, offering a smile and two bucks for a paper, and having a human moment that says, “I care about you.”
Those hundreds and thousands of exchanges between our readers and vendors that happen every day make much more possible.
Thanks to you, Real Change has fought efforts to criminalize poverty and mostly succeeded.
Thanks to you, Real Change has fought efforts to criminalize poverty and mostly succeeded.
Thanks to you, we have fought homeless sweeps when there is nowhere else to go, and helped force an overhaul of city policy on unauthorized camping.
Thanks to you, we have been a consistent voice for relatively low-cost shelter solutions that keep people safer.
We have seen successes that can be built upon: a new Navigation Center that offers low-barrier shelter and a pathway to services; sanctioned encampments on city property that offer community, peer support and safety; and tiny houses that inexpensively offer stability and privacy that can lead to next steps toward housing.
These all represent a commitment to doing what it takes to relieve the suffering in our streets while we work toward long-term solutions.
This is the simple beauty of Real Change. Economic and racial justice is a long, hard road, the success of which often depends upon prevailing political winds. It takes commitment, united effort and staying power to succeed.
This week, we are again demonstrating the power of our community.
Through the generous support of our allies in the labor movement, our vendors are being outfitted with quality high-visibility construction vests that sport the Real Change logo and those of our labor sponsors: UFCW 21, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), IAM District 751, SEIU 775, UAW 4121 and Unite-HERE Local 8.
The vests communicate that our vendors are working people who have the backs of the labor community.
Our vendors know what it is to struggle. Our vendors know that sometimes you have to fight for people to recognize your value.
Our vendors understand that they are part of a movement for economic and racial justice.
And our vendors know that their success — and the success of our movement — begins with people like you stopping for a moment to show you care.
Our work is always growing, adapting and looking for opportunities to make a real difference.
Our regressive Washington state tax system means that businesses in our area are under taxed. This is why, other than the natural and cultural amenities that Seattle offers, companies like Amazon like it here.
The social costs of our strong economy have often been mostly borne by those who have the least.
Meanwhile, the social costs of our strong economy have often been mostly borne by those who have the least. The link between rising housing costs and homelessness is at the bottom of the regional crisis.
While homeowners have generously voted to tax themselves through a series of housing levy renewals, we have seen no such commitment from the business community.
We believe it’s time for that to change.
Right now, an employer hours tax is being considered that would raise at least $75 million annually from businesses whose revenues exceed $8-10 million. The revenue raised would build housing for those who need it most.
Real Change is in the struggle alongside you every day. We are taking risks, building for power and supporting a whole community of progressive voices through our work.
Thanks to you, more than 700 Real Change vendors every year find the support and community they need. Thank you for making it all possible.
Tim Harris is the Founding Director Real Change and has been active as a poor people’s organizer for more than two decades. Prior to moving to Seattle in 1994, Harris founded street newspaper Spare Change in Boston while working as Executive Director of Boston Jobs with Peace.
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