Return to main Community Action News page
MID JULY 2026 NEWS
Our topic line up begins with: Housing and Shelter (both news and events), Restorative Justice, Policy and Politics, Health, Spiritual. Followed by: Asks, Events, For Service Providers, and Funding and Fundraising. There are also attachments including one on employment.
There are red flag alerts today here at the edge of the North Cascades for more info go to https://www.issaquahwa.gov/1642/Fires.
We are still short of severe weather shelters, especially for hot weather events. Do you know of an air-conditioned space that might be interested in providing respite from extreme heat?
Housing and Shelter
News:
The “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act” is now law!
The passage of this historic bipartisan package marks significant progress in addressing the nation’s housing crisis.
Key provisions: "Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” (RDRA) - Authorizes HUD's Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program for three years, which provides flexible grants to help presidentially declared disaster areas rebuild affordable housing and infrastructure, support mitigation and resilience activities, and implement reforms for a more efficient and equitable recovery system.
“Rural Housing Service Reform Act” – Preserves affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for low-income individuals and families in rural areas, reduces administrative barriers, and encourages public-private partnerships to increase investment in rural housing.
“Choice in Affordable Housing Act” - Streamlines inspections for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, making it faster and easier for recipients to access housing in their preferred communities.
More information about these key provisions and others in the final package is available here.
……………..
The Washington 10% rent cap goes into effect on January 1, 2027. As required by Chapter 209, Laws of 2025 (Engrossed House Bill 1217), the Department of Commerce published a maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed for rental units that are subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Law (RCW 59.18) for calendar year 2027 on the Department of Commerce’s website at the Landlord Resource Center.
The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, is 10%. The maximum annual rent increase percentage will be published each year shortly after the mid-July release of June data by the federal U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Please contact Commerce’s Housing Policy team with any questions at HousingPolicy@Commerce.wa.gov.
…………….
HUD Section 811 PRA ProgramWA State Department of Commerce is accepting applications from DSHS clients who qualify for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Section 811 PRA Program. The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program seeks to identify, stimulate, and support successful and innovative state approaches to providing integrated supportive housing for people with disabilities. More information is below, as are links to 2 virtual pre-application conferences (including a Tribal-participants-only session) taking place via Microsoft Teams next week on July 15. Applications are due by August 19, 2026
………………
Shelter "How-To" Session for Congregations -- The Church Council of Greater Seattle’s last Faith Shelter Summit on April 8th had the best attendance so far, and was a fruitful gathering. Much has happened since that gathering, and the Seattle Mayor & Council have passed legislation to support the expansion of shelter.
SHARE/WHEEL and the Church Council have identified several congregations that might be interested in seriously exploring developing or partnering with others on provision of shelter.
Therefore, as mentioned as a next Action Step at our last Summit, SHARE, WHEEL, and the Church Council of Greater Seattle are co-hosting a Shelter “How-To” Session. All congregations interested in exploring shelter partnership are invited! The nuts and bolts and logistics of shelter provision will be our focus! WHEN: 6-8 PM Wednesday, July 22nd
WHERE: RSVP for location
Light refreshments will be provided, and plenty of good folks will be on hand to present on and answer questions about operating ALL KINDS of shelter, from self-managed to staffed to volunteer-run, indoor and outdoor, small or medium or large!
Please join us! RSVP to shelters@sharewheel.org or wheel@yahoo.com. Call (206) 956-0334 for more ………………….
Urgent housing request
“Clean and quiet 62 year old woman on disability needs quiet housing with private entrance/quarters on the ground floor with no steps, slopes or hills. Needs to be in or as close to Issaquah as possible but could do Renton, Fall City or possibly Sammamish. Raine is ambulatory but physically impaired. She is warm and friendly, stable, reliable and conscientious, vegan, does not smoke, drink or do drugs and has no pets. She can pay up to $1,000 for rent and utilities and can furnish however many references you need.” (email eli410maupin@gmail.com) or call Elizabeth to connect with Raine)
……..
Bellevue is offering $25 million for affordable housing projects
As part of an ongoing effort to increase affordable housing in Bellevue, the city’s Office of Housing is requesting project proposals from affordable housing developers and operators for up to $24.95 million in funding. CONTACT: Janelle Wetzstein, Community Development Public Information Officer, 425-229-6599 or jwetzstein@bellevuewa.gov
Details at https://bellevuewa.gov/city-news/affordable-housing-rfp-26?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
……………..
………………
Washington Housing Alliance is holding community forums around the state and online to learn about local needs and priorities for housing justice.
This is a chance for you to share specific challenges, opportunities, or trends in your region, and tell us what policy changes you think are most important to solving the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in your community.
Whether you have experienced housing instability or homelessness, work with people who have, or are an ally, your stories and experiences matter and we want to hear from you!
Tacoma, July 16, 2-4pm
Yakima, July 21, 1-2:30pm
Walla Walla, July 22, 1-3pm
Spokane, July 28, 12-1:30pm
Olympia, July 31, 5-7:30pm
Kent, August 10, 5-7:30pm
Bremerton, August 12, 5-7:30pm
Virtual forums (in addition to the event at the top of this newsletter)
Statewide, Aug. 13, 5:30-7pm
Statewide Rural Focus, Aug. 18, 5:30-7pm
En Español, Aug. 20, 5:30-7pm
Register for a Community Forum!
………….
Next Rights! Action! Power! (formerly Resident Action Project) statewide meeting is on August 19
Register here : AUGSWMeeting
…………….
Also see the attachments: Eastside Renters letter, NCH Organizer Recruitment letter and Eastside Shelter Resources. If you are a service provider, please check out “Introducing the Regional Services Database” under For Service Providers.
…………………………
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Conversations in Communion: Parish Dialogues for Connection and Understanding. This Zoom training prepares you to lead a foundational restorative practice called circle process in your parish or ministry. Tuesdays, August 11, 18, & 25, 12-3 p.m. PT Cost: $200, partial scholarships available. Apply at https://catholicsmobilizing.org/companion-training-conversations-in-communion/?emci=56448d31-d07e-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&emdi=1c053c16-bb7f-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=3696885
Policy and politics
Voter pamphlets are arriving and ballots should come in a few days. Please encourage friends and neighbors to participate. Every voice counts.
King County Comprehensive Plan Equity Advisory Cabinet -- Apply by July 19!
This is an invitation to those most affected by planning and land use inequities to have an impact in decision making, program and policy design and Comprehensive Plan development and implementation in King County. It helps guide decisions about housing, transportation, open space, and the environment across King County, especially in unincorporated King county.
King County is partnering with community-based organizations, trusted leaders, and community members to make long-term planning more equitable and inclusive.
Learn more here.
From Balance our Tax Code: Millionaires Tax: Key Talking Points & Pivots
Budget & Tax Code Presentation
Here are some additional resources based on our conversations and Q&A:
EOI blog: How will the Millionaires Tax impact us? - examines the distribution of wealth throughout the state. Creates case studies on the benefits of MT on working people and small business owners.
BPC's Interactive Map - highlights the concentration of millionaires in the King County region. It also breaks down concentration by LD.
Center on Budget & Policy Priorities: How state millionaire's tax can advance racial justice - report from our national partners on how millionaires taxes can undo the deep racial inequities currently in place within our state tax systems.
The sports measure, IL26-638, sponsored by the conservative political committee Let's Go Washington will appear on the November general election ballot. It prohibits transgender girls, or anyone assigned male at birth, from participating in girls' athletic programs in K-12 schools. It requires girls to confirm their sex assigned at birth to play on female teams via a visual genital exam, a blood test to measure testosterone, or a lab test to determine chromosomes. Supporters argue the measure protects female athletes and ensures fair competition in safe spaces. Opponents, including advocacy groups like No Hate in Washington State, argue the proposal is invasive, discriminatory, and harmful to transgender youth. No Hate in Washington State is looking for volunteers to assist them in raising awareness.
Health
SnoValley Senior Center: The Arthritis Detective: Finding the Culprit of Joint Pain, Thursday, July 16th, 1PM - 2PM. Not all arthritis is the same and finding the true cause of joint pain often requires careful detective work. Join the SnoValley Senior Center as they follow clues behind common and uncommon forms of arthritis and learn how an accurate diagnosis can lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life. Presented by Dr Bryanna Mantilla, Rheumatologist. FREE and open to all in the community. Learn more and register here.
Spiritual
Muslim Association of Puget Sound presents Healing the Heart & Soul, a 5 part lecture series on Islamic psychology and mental wellness. Lecture 2: Arrogance (Kibr) and Imposter Syndrome on Saturday, July 25 • 6:30 PM - 9 PM at MAPS in Redmond [17550 Northeast 67th Court, Redmond, WA 98052]
This lecture examines the relationship between arrogance, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome through the lens of Islamic Psychology. Join our whatsapp community for more info: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRbPsLrcj7443KdIrV74Jp/
Dinner and complimentary childcare will be provided.
The registration fee is $20 and is intended only to help cover event costs. If cost is a barrier, we want this event to remain accessible and you can use the free ticket option.
Most Muslims have heard the words qalb, nafs, and rūḥ their whole lives without ever being told that these are clinical concepts — the foundation of a complete psychological tradition developed by scholars over thirteen centuries. This opening class reintroduces ʿilm al-nafs and suluk not as a spiritual luxury or a self-help trend, but as a sovereign science of the human soul that predates Western psychology by a millennium. Participants leave with a new vocabulary for their inner life and a fundamentally different understanding of what mental health means from within the tradition.
About Nafs Center - Nafs Center is a new MAPS initiative focused on mental wellness, Islamic spiritual well-being, and Islamic Psychology through education, lectures, and spiritually grounded resources. Nafs Center does not provide therapy or clinical mental health services.
More details: https://nafscenter.mapsredmond.org/lecture-series-on-islamic-psychology/
Asks
Urgent housing request
“Clean and quiet 62 year old woman on disability needs quiet housing with private entrance/quarters on the ground floor with no steps, slopes or hills. Needs to be in or as close to Issaquah as possible but could do Renton, Fall City or possibly Sammamish. Raine is ambulatory but physically impaired. She is warm and friendly, stable, reliable and conscientious, vegan, does not smoke, drink or do drugs and has no pets. She can pay up to $1,000 for rent and utilities and can furnish however many references you need.” (email eli410maupin@gmail.com) or call Elizabeth to connect with Raine)
Project Cool for Back-to-School program, will provide school supplies to 1,844 King County students experiencing homelessness (pre-K through 12th grade) for the 2026-2027 school year. They are looking for volunteers to help sort school supplies, fill backpacks, and help with backpack pick-up. Volunteer days are at the Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church in South Seattle from Tuesday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 29.
The link to sign up for volunteer shifts is: https://bit.ly/ProjectCool26
Friends of Youth Back-to-School Drive is officially here! Help us set local youth up for a successful school year by supporting a Friends of Youth client with much-needed school supplies. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. Shop our Amazon Wish List here. Looking to drop off school supplies in person? We will be accepting donations at the Redmond Town Center Management Office (next to Kitanda) Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm, July 6 through August 3. You can also drop off donations at the Kirkland Youth Services Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
For more information, email inkind@friendsofyouth.org.
Project Cool: Helping Homeless Students: Project Cool and Beyond
Seeking volunteers! Volunteer days are at the Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church in South Seattle from Tuesday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 29. Every year through Project Cool, Coalition members and volunteers make sure that more than 1,000 unhoused students start the school year off right with the supplies they need. In addition to school supplies for students, the Coalition also regularly provides training for staff working with youth and unaccompanied minors to help them advocate for and support the educational rights of homeless students. SIGN UP HERE
-Friends of Youth: Our Back-to-School Drive is officially here!
Help us set local youth up for a successful school year by supporting a Friends of Youth client with much-needed school supplies. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. We will be accepting school supply donations at the Redmond Town Center from July 6 through August 3. You can also shop our Amazon Wish List here
- Issaquah Schools Foundation: Tools 4 School
Education is a fundamental right, but not all students have equal access to the tools that make learning possible. To ensure cost is never a barrier to students starting the year with the supplies they need, we are working with the Issaquah School District to distribute new backpack and school supply kits at theIssaquah School District Back to School Resource Fair in August, where families can access many resources beyond just school supplies. In 2024, almost 500 families with 900 students attended the first Resource Fair. With your help, we’ll help level the playing field, allowing students to focus on what truly matters: learning and growing.
Events
Meaningful Movies in Ballard on Thursday, 7/16/2026, 6:00 PM PST at Center for Spiritual Living 2007 NW 61st St., Seattle, WA. Earth’s Greatest Enemy examines the environmental and human costs of U.S. militarism, arguing that the American military-industrial complex is one of the world’s largest and least scrutinized contributors to climate destruction.
A post-discussion to follow the film featuring representatives from 350 Seattle
While the event is free, a suggested $5 donation to support the screening is appreciated.
Meaningful Movies Project Hosts: Sustainable Ballard and the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard.
Good Trouble Lives On weekend of action, July 17-19 will be a nationwide non-partisan weekend of peaceful, nonviolent action and organizing, rooted in the tradition of the civil rights movement and focused on teaching, reaching people, and preaching a message of hope in our communities:
TEACH events include community education about the history and importance of civic engagement, voting, and civil rights
REACH events are about voter outreach that connects people with civic education, voting resources, and opportunities to get involved
And PREACH events will unite interfaith clergy and people of faith across the country to spread a message about the importance of civic engagement and voting rights
Find local events at
https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/?utm_source=PublicCitizen&org_ids=7229
For domestic workers: At the National Domestic Workers Alliance, we know that the work we do as a nanny, housecleaner, or care worker is vital, but we also know how physically and emotionally demanding it can be. That is why we are inviting you to our next zoom session of Caring for Ourselves, Together on Thursday, July 16. (5pm)These sessions are designed as a dedicated space for us to practice collective care and explore body-based tools for resistance and restoration. Taking a moment for yourself isn't just about rest—it’s about honoring the power and energy you bring to this movement every day. Register to join our next Caring for Ourselves, Together session, on Thursday, July 16.
Issaquah Nourishing Network Tuesday, July 21, 2026 3:00 - 4:30pm Round Table information sharing from the group with your updates, programs, events, concerns, asks, questions and introductions. Please join us for a presentation from King County SCOPE Team. A NEW Zoom link will be emailed the day before the meeting. Please visit the INN website for a more complete list of events, programs and resources.
Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry Committee Thursday, July 23, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Click here for meeting details.
Governing Board of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), Friday, July 24,
10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT Click here for meeting details.
Seattle-King County Continuum of Care (CoC) Board on Wednesday, August 5, 2:00 – 4:00 pm PT
Click here for meeting details.
CoC System Performance Committee, Wednesday, August 19, 2026 2:00 – 4:00 pm PT
Click here for meeting details.
Next Rights! Action! Power! (formerly Resident Action Project) statewide meeting is on August 19
Register here : AUGSWMeeting
NAMI EastsideCommunity Appreciation Event, August 18, 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Flatstick Pub | Redmond Town Center
Come together to celebrate the strength, resilience, and support that make our community so meaningful. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, share stories, and express our gratitude for all who help advance mental health awareness and advocacy.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!RSVP Now!
How ABLE Accounts Work with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), webinar, Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts are a tax-advantaged savingsoption that allows individuals whose disability began before age 46 to save up to $100,000 without affecting their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility.
This webinar, will include the basics of ABLE accounts and practical guidance on how they are used. This webinar will be most useful to aging, disability, and legal aid providers and advocates who work with individuals who might be eligible for SSI.
Attendees will learn how to:
Identify individuals who may be eligible to open an ABLE account
Assess common uses of ABLE accounts for individuals who receive SSI
Compare different ABLE plans to help with the selection and opening of an ABLE account
Use ABLE to address common SSI barriers
Presenters:
Jody Ellis, Director of the ABLE National Resource Center, National Disability Institute
Trinh Phan, Director, State Income Security, Justice in Aging
Marlene Ulisky, Subject Matter Expert, ABLE National Resource Center
Laurie Schaller, Subject Matter Expert, ABLE National Resource Center
Background Information for Attendees:
Capacity for this session is limited to 3,000 participants. Please be sure to log onto the webinar a few minutes early in order to secure your place for the live presentation on Zoom.https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4217824831188/WN_VNFWRIgnR7KRFDEp7HRAVQ#/registration
The Welcoming Week webinar series --One more session is coming this summer to help U.S. event hosts plan for September: Centering Lived Experience in Welcoming Week Event Planning Register August 20: Presented by Refugee Council USA, Refugee Advocacy Lab, and Refugee Congress. Missed the earlier sessions? The Building Stronger Communities series with Nonprofit VOTE is available to watch on demand. Watch the recordings If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at communications@welcomingamerica.org.
For Service Providers:
King County Housing Authority: Back-to-School Resource Fair Aug 20, 2026 We are hosting a back-to-school resource fair at the Crossroads Community Center on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00-7:00pm and we would like to invite our partners to host a table. Complete this survey if your organization is interested in attending this event. Please note that completing this survey does not guarantee a table: while we would love to see all of our community partners there, space is limited and we may have to prioritize organizations that most closely align with the needs of our participants. We will make every effort to allow all interested organizations to have a table at the resource fair. You will be contacted to confirm your attendance. We will have free backpacks and school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis. We are also in the process of securing services like flu shots, free haircuts, face painting, and more.
Alteza Commercial Kitchen Equipment: Opportunity for Nonprofits and Faith Based Organizations - PSE 2026 Foodservice Instant Rebate Program We have identified a wide variety of cooking equipment included in PSE's 2026 Foodservice Instant Rebate Program that can impact the production capacity of most commercial kitchens with or without a ventilation hood. Together we are building a community of energy-efficient food production organizations that serve community members in need. Our goal is to connect with more BIPOC organizations as well as smaller organizations such as independent churches, daycares, schools, and food banks. As long as organizations are a PSE natural gas or electric customer in a commercial building, they will be eligible for the items they select from our webapp. If someone needs assistance filling out their orders, please have them reach out to us directly. This year, we have built an amazing tool to expedite orders. The fastest way to get equipment is by going to our webapp and typing in the organization's zip code to see what that location is eligible for. Organizations can select all visible items and update the quantities for each item in the shopping bag. Although this is a first-come, first-served basis.
…………
Introducing the Regional Services Database -- KCRHA is excited to share our updated Regional Services Database to providers and agencies across King County. On Wednesday, August 19, we will be hosting a training from 12:30 - 1:30 pm where we will: Walk through the Regional Services Database, discuss why it was created, and explore how to utilize it in your work; Review how to update agency and service information displayed on the database; Listen to any feedback and suggestions from providers to incorporate into future RSD iterations. If you are interested in attending, please complete this RSVP form here. If you have any questions and would like to connect ahead of the training, please contact KCRHA Planning Manager, Kiki Serantes, at kiki.serantes@kcrha.org.
…………
KCRHA is hosting an in-person Motivational Interviewing (MI) training on Tuesday, August 25 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm for homeless service providers. A subject matter expert in MI will conduct the training with in-person activities. Register to learn about MI or refresh and refine your current MI skills! Register by August 17 to guarantee a spot at Panoramic Center on the 8th floor at Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
…………
Join the Washington state Consolidated Homeless Grant (CSG) team on Wednesday, July 22 at 1:00 pm for a training on Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) 101 Programs. This training is for service providers who assist clients with accessing health care in Washington state to learn about Medicaid programs for adults and children and understand who is eligible and how to access programs.
…………..
KCRHA recently posted a training on Chronic Homelessness. This training explains the definition and documentation needed for Chronic Homelessness. Service providers can use this information to help clients collect proper materials and avoid common mistakes. You can find more trainings from KCRHA and other agencies on our Service Providers page under “Trainings for Service Providers” in the dropdown menus toward the bottom of the page.
Funding and Fundraising
HRSN rental arrears funding discussion
Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) Foundational Community Supports (FCS) invite you to join us in learning about updates to HRSN
July webinars: Monday, July 13 and July 27, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Foundational Community Supports (FCS) team are excited to announce that the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) rental arrears funding launched April 1, 2026!
Join us every other Monday for an informal conversation via Teams where you can ask questions and learn more about this funding and program reach. Please remember, if discussing specific client situations, do not share any PHI.
Resources
Presentation slides from the HRSN training and core relief walk through
Please contact Anessa Williams (anessa.williams@hca.wa.gov) with any additional questions in the interim.
Fundingopportunity: Housing Trust Fund's homeownership funding cycle open now
Applications due by September 3
Applications are open now for affordable homeownership projects seeking funding in the 2026 Housing Trust Fund homeownership cycle.
This funding is available to community-based organizations, housing authorities, federally recognized tribes and local governments for the creation of new first-time homebuyer opportunities through the construction of new housing units, purchase and rehabilitation of existing housing units, affordability subsidies, and down payment assistance for low-income households in Washington.
Download and carefully review the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and dates of significance.
Applications close: 3 p.m. September 3, 2026
View the NOFA Meetings Timeline for in-person sessions and webinar dates. Please register for meetings in advance.
If you have questions about any of the information contained in the NOFA, email HOUApplication@commerce.wa.gov.
Bellwether 2026 Closer to Home Luncheon at The Westin Seattle (1900 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101) on October 8. Save the date.
Peace and Blessings!