Our online meetings will start at 7:30. You will be able to join the meetings starting at about 7:20. We are using the Zoom online meeting platform. Click this link to join the meeting. Guests are always welcome.
The featured speaker at this week's meeting will be Eve Stern, a Medical Esthetician with Amara Medical Esthetics in Bellevue. She will discuss ways we can take care of our skin especially in the heat of the summer.
The Corks & Kegs Hawaiian Style needs every member to round up a couple of donations. Need ideas? Baskets, gift cards, trips, vacation spots, sets of ??, wine and/or beer tubs, etc. Members were sent the Donation Procurement form and you can get one from our website. Weekly planning meeting following the regular Club Meeting.
Dues Statements have been sent out. Please send in your payments as soon as possible. You can send a check or use the Venmo app on a smart phone. Thank you.
Continue to live by and exemplify the Rotary Four Way Test-
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to All Concerned?
Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it Be Beneficial to all Concerned?
PHOTO CONTEST: You are encouraged to participate in this. Be the first person to correctly identify from where the photo at the top of this bulletin and at the top of our website was taken from by 7:30 am Friday, July 24th. Look carefully! Send your guess to the Editor.
Welcome to the Rotary family, Leah Rose Sladek. Congratulations to the proud parents Hannah and Adam. What a wonderful bundle of joy and a big smile for the camera.
Our guest speaker via Zoom last week spoke about the Housing Authority of Snohomish County. Another great program with lots of information on the organization and their contributions to Snohomish County. Duane, thanks so much for being with us last week on ZOOM.
Duane has extensive experience in public sector finance including working at the Washington State Auditor’s Office and the City of Tacoma. Duane served on the Washington State Treasurer’s Local Government Investment Pool Advisory Committee from 1997 to 2003. During his twenty years at the Housing Authority, Duane has overseen the finances of the agency as it grew from approximately 1,600 vouchers and 830 housing units to over 3,400 vouchers and 2,100 units of housing.
History of the Housing Authorities in the United States
The U.S. Housing Authority Act of 1937 created the United States Housing Authority to provide Federal subsidies to Local Housing Agencies. Washington Stated passed "enabling legislation" allowing for the creation of the Local Housing Agencies in 1939. They are hybrids. Independent Local Government Agencies established to receive Federal resources; with broad powers to carry out their purpose, but no ability to assess local taxes.
Housing Authority in Snohomish County
The Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) was established in 1971 to provide affordable housing, enhance quality of life, and build safer & stronger communities. HASCO has helped a significant number of people in its 40 year history. Today, state and local governments are taking the lead for meeting the housing needs of their communities. In recognition of declining federal funds and an affordable housing stock that is not growing fast enough to meet the needs of Snohomish County citizens, HASCO has moved beyond its original mission of serving very low income households to also assist working families who are being squeezed by stagnant wages and increasing housing costs.
Why were Housing Authorities created. Here are the declarations in the act:
There exists unsafe housing conditions in the state (area of operation).
The conditions cannot be relieved or cleared by the private sector.
Remediation is a public purpose for which public money can be spent.
In the public interest to work on such projects as soon as possible to relieve unemployment now (1939) which constitutes and emergency, the necessity is in the public interest, and declared a matter of legislative determination.
HASCO's focus has been on preservation of existing housing and accessing Tenant Based Assistance subsidies (Housing Choice Vouchers-Section 8). Over 90% of units they own have been purchased on the open market. They are not a Code Enforcement nor Dispute Resolution agency. HASCO is a landlord who own approximately 2,400 multifamily units. They also administer the United States Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Program.
HASCO was a founding member of both the Housing Consortium and the Alliance for Housing Affordability which is an advocacy organization that they are actively involved in both organizations. Sources of income come from the Section 8-Vouchers as a fee for service program and most income is earned by collecting rents from their property. HASCO can issue tax-exempt debt. HASCO owns and manages 2,416 units in 46 locations in the county. 470 units are elderly subsidized units and 143 units are homeowners in three manufactured home parks. The remaining 1,800 units are workforce housing competing in the open market.
Concluding thoughts: Government sponsorship is required but neither the private sector or the Government can solve this problem alone. Citizens must demand action from their elected leaders to support affordable housing. The problem will not get any better by itself. So much more could be added to this article. Anyone wishing to see the full presentation can let us know and we will send it to you.
We are seeking ideas for our weekly programs. If you have a subject, presenter or idea for our weekly programs, please contact Don Iverson with that information. Thank you.
Members- invoices were sent to you for the semi-annual dues and voluntary contribution to The Rotary Fund (EREY). If you have yet to make your dues payment please contact the Treasurer to let him know when you will take care of this. Check your email for the invoice and be part of the Paid group. Thank you for supporting your Club.
We're are still looking for ideas for the name of this weekly bulletin. We've had one submission in the ten plus years that we've been asking. And, that was from someone outside of our Club! Send your ideas to the Editor. Thank you!
Interact is a service club for youth ages 14-18. The name is a combination of the words international and action. We join Clubs in over 120 countries around the world. The global youth network is dedicated to community and international service. Every Interact Club project, great or small, has a lasting impact on society worldwide.
The July 24th Meeting will be online. Our regular Rotary Club Meetings are at the Lake Stevens School District Educational Service Center lower level Community Room located at 12309 22nd St NE. We start at 7:30 am. There is a robust continental breakfast available beforehand. Visitors are always welcome.
Duane Leonard, Executive Director-HASCO
.png){kind=logo}
