Let Seattle Council know what you think!
Our Women in Black Call to Action is about the desperate need for more shelter NOW—not next month or next year. Our WHEEL women's shelter is a unique come-as-you-are community of 30 women, and we're doing great and heroic work. BUT, our shelter and most everyone else's is FULL, and there are FEW to NO referral options for women. At least three homeless women died outside in November; one of these deaths was from hypothermia. WHEEL has cried out for help to bureaucratic leaders for months, with no response. We've also made an offer to operate an additional nighttime shelter for women at City Hall, which has unused shelter space available right now. (Our SHARE allies have made a similar offer to operate a co-ed shelter there.)
Please urge City Leaders to open more shelters including hotels right now, to take WHEEL and SHARE up on their offers to operate City Hall Shelters, and to meet with us!
Let Seattle Council know what you think!
You can use this sample message:
"Dear_______________: Most Seattle shelters have permanently downsized and shifted to a higher-barrier mode during the COVID era. This leaves many vulnerable people to sleep outside at the mercy of predators and the elements. Three homeless women died outside last month; one died of hypothermia. Shelters/hospitals/providers/outreach workers are struggling, and unable to find referral options in the absence of sufficient, suitable shelter. Additional low-barrier women's shelter is particularly and desperately needed. WHEEL has the capacity and expertise to run additional nighttime shelter at City Hall; so do other grassroots groups and organizations. Please meet with WHEEL and work with them on creating more shelter NOW. Lives are at stake."
City Council (206) 684-8888; council@seattle.gov Also please weigh with each Councilmember individually, especially in your District!
Mayor Durkan Jenny.durkan@seattle.gov (206) 684-4000
Seattle Human Services Director jason.johnson@seattle.gov AND HSD Homeless Investments Director Diana Salazar diana.salazar@seattle.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheelforwomen/
