Late October 2026 News
We start with a recap of the Housing Summit in Sammamish, followed by Housing and Homelessness, Social events and resources, Trainings, Immigration, Climate, Opportunities to serve and Employment opportunities, and Articles. Plus, some attachments.
On October 18, Faith United Methodist Church in Sammamish hosted a Housing Summit for faith communities in Issaquah and Sammamish. The presenter was Judy Naegeli who works with the Seattle King County Realtors. She provided a really good YouTube video of Greg Colburn speaking about his research on the root causes of homelessness (https://www.google.com/search?q=greg+Colburn+video+on+the+cause+of+homelessness&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS1126US1126&oq=greg+Colburn+video+on+the+cause+of+homelessness&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRigAdIBCTI1MzA5ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8743dc06,vid:0APR7dt-uZ8,st:0)
While many factors ( including poverty, mental illness, and drug use) are associated with an increased risk of homelessness, as he looks at these factors in many communities across the US he found that the only factor that consistently correlated with high rates of homelessness in an area was a lack of sufficient housing that people could afford. It is in places with high rents and low vacancy rates that one finds the highest percentage of homelessness. Our area has a vulnerability due to the proximity of mountains and water which limit the space available to expand housing. Housing policy, including zoning policies also play a role in our local rate of homelessness. And, yes, NIMBYism also curtails efforts to build housing that is affordable to lower income individuals and families.
Judy also pointed out that the preponderance of single family zoning in Sammamish and Issaquah, especially zoning with large lot sizes has hindered the expansion of housing opportunities. She touched on the need for middle housing (duplexes, town homes, cottages, etc.) to bridge the gap between high rise apartments and traditional home ownership for this generation and those to come. Middle housing allows people to buy sooner and build equity. Middle housing does not drive down the value of traditional single family homes.
She shared some statistics of the anticipated housing needs at various levels in the percentages of Area Median Income (AMI) for both Issaquah and Sammamish. There are some significant differences that could shape our advocacy in these 2 communities.
Faith United Methodist Church is inviting other local faith communities to join them in a coalition. Their current vision is to ask each faith community to contribute $1,000.00 to be used for “hearts and minds” campaigns, town hall events, the creation of a grant program, assist non-profit developers, and to explore building affordable housing on faith community property.
Are you interested? Contact Judy Naegeli at jnaegeli@gmail.com or allie@faithunited.org or Greg Dietzel at gregdietzel@gmail.com
Housing and Homelessness
October 27: Lunch & Learn - De-Mystifying Social Housing Acquisitions
The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) has completed one acquisition this year and is working on several more. We will cover the process of acquiring a building, what SSHD is prioritizing in selecting acquisition sites, what trade-offs need consideration, and how they think about cost in this market. We are excited to welcome our guest speaker James Mayton, Deputy Director of Real Estate Development at SSHD! Register for the zoom link.
Bellevue Housing & Planning
Bellevue has launched development of a new pre-approved plans program for detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) and cottage housing, and we want to hear from you. Your input will help ensure the program reflects community values and supports designs people will want to use. A short survey is now open for community members to share which design features matter most, from layout and number of bedrooms to exterior style and green building options. The results will help shape community‑based scoring criteria that designers will use when submitting plans. To complete the survey, visit Bellevuewa.gov/pre-approved-plans-survey.
The Bellevue Planning Commission will hold a study session on Oct. 28 to review the first draft of the Downtown Livability 2.0 code amendments. This will be the first meeting following release of the draft and community participation is encouraged. Submit written comments before the meeting or provide verbal comments during the study session. Have questions or feedback for staff? Contact information is available on the project webpage. Your input is an important part of shaping the future of downtown and we appreciate your engagement.
King County VIRTUAL Breaking the Cycle Listening Session has been rescheduled to Friday, October 30th from 11:30am-1pm.
RSVP: LISTENING SESSION REGISTRATION LINK
Save the Date: CoC Membership Convening – November 18, 2026 from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm at South Seattle College – 6000 16th Ave SW Seattle WA 98106. “From Data to Action: Strengthening Our Coordinated Response to Homelessness.” We’ll explore Coordinated Entry and the current state of homelessness in King County. We’ll also dive into what the latest Point-in-Time (PIT) Count data can tell us about our community, hear perspectives from across the region, and reflect on where we are today, and where we need to go next. Please confirm your attendance by November 6, 2026 to ensure we have adequate arrangements for all participants. This convening is intended for Seattle-King County CoC members, but any person or organization working to address homelessness can register as a member of the Continuum of Care. RSVP link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a117a95821790db9b5b2f284f1e6f9
Social events and resources
Issaquah
BOO at the Barn, Pickering Barn, 2-8 p.m. October 24
Rick Rizzs Road Celebration, Dodd Field, 4:30-5:30 p.m. October 27
Winter Clothing Fest, Pickering Barn, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. October 28
Issaquah Police Town Hall, King County Library Service Center, 6-8 p.m. October 29
Hard to Recycle Collection Event, Eastside Catholic School, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. October 31
Keep Issaquah Beautiful Day, Historic Shell Station, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. October 31
Sammamish
The Sammamish Symphony plays on Sunday, October 25 at 2 PM at Sammamish Hills Lutheran across from Sammamish City Hall. A variety on the theme of dance with works by La Falla, Mozart, Beethoven, and Darius Mihaud- The Bull on the Roof i.e. Le Boeuf sur le Toit a montage of a Paris Cafe club jazz session. Crazy stuff and lots of fun.
Kirkland
Kirkland Civic Orchestra will perform on Saturday Nov. 7 at Lake Washington HS in Kirkland, the under our new director Dr. James Welsch, will perform a tribute to Spain with works by La Falla, from 3 Cornered Hat; Turina, Procession; Bizet, Carmen excerpts: and Ravel's Bolero.1:00 pm. Admission is free, but you need a ticket from Orchestra site or come a bit early to lobby. Cookies will be for sale.
Trunk or Treat at Snoqualmie Valley YMCA (10/24, 1:30-3PM) Grab your costumes, bring your treat bags and start your Trunk or Treat journey at the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA. Families are invited to make their way through our lineup of creatively decorated trunks, collecting treats and enjoying plenty of festive fun along the way. Co-Sponsored by City of Snoqualmie and Sno Falls Credit Union. ALL AGES WELCOME, FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
Trainings
Americans For Financial Reform Education Fund is offering October trainings to give participants a clearer understanding of:
The role of tax policy in creating and extending economic inequity
The role of racism and wealth in shaping our tax policy
Reforms that would help make federal and state tax policy fair for all
Register for one of these remaining dates:
Thursday, October 29th, 3pm ET / 12pm PT (Train the Trainer session)
Friday, November 6th, 12pm ET/ 9am PT (Train the Trainer session)
Operationalizing Peer Support (OPS) supervisor and administrator webinar series: The next training is Wednesday, October 28. October's webinar will be Module 7: Behavioral Health Recovery. Resource material from previous webinars are available on the website (https://www.hca.wa.gov/billers-providers-partners/program-information-providers/organizations-peer-support-programs), including:
January 28 Module 4: Ethics and boundaries in peer support and Slides
May 27 Module 5: Creating Cross-Cultural Partnerships and Slides
June 25 Module 6.1: Generational recovery - youth voice and choice and Slides
July 22 Module 6.2 Generational recovery - family peer support and Slides
August 26 Module 6.3: Generational recovery - peer support and older adults and Slides
Resources from webinar: How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (book title) Sound Generations (Seattle senior care services) Mental Health Program (Homage website)
From Braver Angels ( a citizens' organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America): UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS
A House United National Screenings
Wednesday, October 28th at 4 PM PT, Saturday, November 7th at 11 AM PT and Sunday, November 15th at 3 PM PT Click Here to Register (https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/findascreening?link_id=5&can_id=543a3065412beabcbd741a405016f8f3&source=email-braver-angels-10-year-celebrations-announcement&email_referrer=email_3424480&email_subject=all-hands-follow-up&&)
Immigration
Columbia Legal Services: Wednesday, October 28, from noon to 1 p.m. Webinar: Communities Standing Up to ICE. Where is our neighbor? Who is holding them? How do we bring them home? When ICE detains someone, families can be left scrambling to locate their loved ones and prevent their transfer to detention centers hundreds or thousands of miles away. Habeas petitions can be a critical tool to challenge unlawful detention and help communities fight for their neighbors' freedom. In 2024, approximately 40 habeas petitions challenged immigration detention in Washington. In 2026, that number has surged to more than 1,250 — an increase of over 3,000%. In response, CLS advocates are preparing to release an updated Habeas Toolkit in English and Spanish, helping more people challenge unlawful detention. They're also developing a report documenting this extraordinary surge and recommending more equitable practices for judges and magistrate judges handling these cases. Join us on to hear how communities across Washington are challenging ICE detention, documenting local law enforcement cooperation, and standing together to protect their neighbors. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kLk5fAm1QIW9ZUrcCePFyQ#/registration
Climate
Bellevue youth can now apply for up to $5,000 to bring their ideas for local climate action to life. In partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the city’s Youth Climate Action Fund will provide $50,000 in grants for youth-led projects that help address climate change and build sustainability in Bellevue. Join the city and the Bellevue School District at City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Sustainability Symposium for a chance to workshop applications, ask questions and receive support developing project ideas. Details and registration at the school district's EcoLearn Project. To learn more about eligibility, project requirements and how to apply, visit Youth Climate Action Fund. For more information, contact Jake Sykes at jsykes@bellevuewa.gov.
Opportunities to serve and Employment opportunities
King County Council invites your input on the budget. Public input is vital to this process and there are a variety of ways you can provide your feedback. You can review the budget proposal and briefing materials to see what we are considering. You can contact your King County Councilmember directly to share your ideas and priorities—if you don’t know who your councilmember is, you can find out here.
The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, October 28 at 9:00 AM to discuss the budget and you can attend either in person at the King County Courthouse (516 Third Ave, 10th Floor, Seattle) or virtually by Zoom or phone to provide public comment.
Camp United We Stand will be moving to Kirkland next week and won’t have access to kitchen. Volunteers needed for food support and to help with relocation. Go to the online Meal Sign-Up page. Donations are needed for the truck rentals and other supplies for moving.
From Reclaim in Snoqualmie:
As the weather gets colder, practical items make a big difference for our neighbors. We’re currently looking for seasonal essentials to help keep people warm, comfortable, and supported.
Shop our Amazon Wishlist
Help us stock up on items our programs need most.
Threads of Kindness is accepting donations!
Our free clothing boutique is accepting clothing donations by appointment. If you have new or gently used clothing, shoes, or other essential items to donate,
Call to schedule your donation: (425)389-7114
The Seattle/King County Coordinated Entry Committee (CEC) is seeking new members!
There are currently five openings on the CEC, and we encourage interested CoC members to apply.
The CEC oversees policies and procedures related to the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and is responsible for identifying and approving policies to guide the CES toward continuous improvement.
Interested in joining the CEC?
To apply, please complete the CoC Workgroup and Committee Application and indicate your interest in serving on the Coordinated Entry Committee.
Please note: You must be registered as a member of the CoC before you are eligible to join a CoC workgroup or committee. If you have not yet registered, please complete the CoC Membership Registration Form before submitting your application.
If you have any questions about the CEC please contact Tom Regan, Coordinated Entry Systems Manager - thomas.regan@kcrha.org
If you need an accommodation or assistance with the application process, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help.
Thank you, Tom Regan & Catherine Todd catherine.todd@kcrha.org Mobile: 206-795-3846
King County is looking for a Digital Communication Specialist. We’re looking for a visual storyteller: someone with a photographer’s eye, a knack for capturing compelling stories, and the digital skills to help those stories connect with people. And they’d get to work with a pretty awesome team. Know someone who might be a great fit? Please share this post with them! Closes 11/1/2026 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/5512723/digital-communication-specialist/apply
The Bellevue City Council is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. If you live in Bellevue, apply online by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. Interviews will be held Friday, Nov. 6 in the afternoon. The Planning Commission advises the council on updates to the Comprehensive Plan and reviews land use regulations, ordinances and related policy matters and typically meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. For more information, contact Kate Nesse at knesse@bellevuewa.gov.
Hopelink is recruiting for Program Community Transportation Navigators Coordinator
Work schedule: Hybrid schedule, Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Approximately 75% remote and 25% in person at work sites or Hopelink Redmond Market and Service Center.
Posting closes: Friday, November 6th. $25/hr. Please find more information at this link: Career
DART Walk-in Interview Event (11/3, flyer attached)
Build a stable career with dependable pay, develop lifelong skills, make a difference in your community, and be a part of a workplace passionate about supporting others. From paid Commercial Driver License (CDL) training to excellent pay and benefits, applying to become a driver with Hopelink is a direct route to a career you can count on for years to come – and have fun along the way. Benefits and pay: $27/hr, Paid training at $25/hr. $4,500 new hire bonus. Career advancement opportunities. Full medical, dental, and vision insurance
November 3rd 10:00am-2:00pm at Willows DART Base 9045 Willows Rd NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Articles
Seattle homelessness: https://publicola.com/2026/10/22/mayors-homelessness-proposal-would-bring-hundreds-out-of-tents-and-into-shelter-that-works-for-them/
And https://actionnetwork.org/letters/expand-shelter-protect-housing/
Immigration & DMV data; https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2026/10/13/dmv-to-dhs-pipeline/
Climate: https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate_change
Housing in Bellevue: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-news/pre-approved-designs-input?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery