collected by Antonio Foster
Paul Allen Providing $35 Million to Homeless Families
On Monday afternoon, Mayor Ed Murray and philanthropist Paul G. Allen announced a partnership to address the region’s homelessness crisis through a permanent supportive housing and onsite services community that will serve as a resource hub for Seattle-area families with children who are experiencing homelessness.
Under the partnership, Allen will provide $30 million in capital toward the development, with the City of Seattle committing $5 million in capital and additional funds to support operation and maintenance of the center.
Murray said the partnership will leverage the city’s affordable housing funds 6-to-1.
Mercy Housing Northwest, one of the nation’s largest non-profit developers of affordable housing operating 48 properties in Washington state, will develop, own, and operate the multi-family complex. The city is anticipating that other nonprofit providers will partner to provide services for children and families in the community.
There are currently 1,684 families awaiting housing in King County and more than 3,498 homeless students enrolled in Seattle Public Schools who experienced homelessness during the 2015-2016 school year. According to the Homeless Needs Assessment, 43 percent of homeless adults experienced homelessness before the age of 25.
Beacon Hill Library Hosting Small Food Business Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs looking to start a small food business in their own kitchen are invited to get start-up advice at a bimonthly discussion group. The next meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711
Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Free parking is available in the lot on the west side of the building.
This month, the group will discuss ideas for summer sales plans at farmers markets and other locations. Attendees are invited to bring samples of their products for group feedback.
Virtual Reality Expo in South Seattle
The Washington Technology Industry Association will be hosting a first of its kind “Virtual Reality Pop-Up” in South Seattle. Tech experts will teach attendees how to “use Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.”Virtual platforms including HoloLens, Vives, Oculus, Google Cardboard, Theta S, and 360Fly will be on on-hand to test out. There will also getting a career in tech too. The event is open to all ages and will take place at the New Holly Gathering Center from 3pm to 6pm on May 7th.