CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNCIL
Table of Contents June 16, 2021 (noon) – June 23, 2021 (noon)
For full Council Correspondence, please follow this link: https://burienwa.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/45791
DATE NAME TOPIC FOLLOW-UP
06.16.21 Irene Danysh Renter Protections
06.16.21 Lynne Cobb DESC
06.16.21 Marian Gillis DESC
06.16.21 Mary Anne deVry Renter Protections
06.17.21 Natalia Fialkoff DESC
06.17.21 David Gould DESC
06.17.21 Julie Codd DESC
06.18.21 Susie Phillipsen DESC
06.18.21 Joe Fitzgibbon DESC
06.18.21 Hoa Nguyen DESC
06.19.21 Gwendolyn Benedict DESC
06.20.21 Steve Glass DESC
06.20.21 Kathy Hazen DESC
06.20.21 Robin Moore DESC
06.20.21 Samantha Paulin DESC
06.21.21 Ross Smith DESC
06.21.21 Chrissie and Chris Drape DESC
06.21.21 Michael O'Neill DESC
06.21.21 Dr. C.Edgar (1) DESC 06.21.21 Jade Selle DESC
06.21.21 Lori Wright DESC
06.21.21 Brian Hewitt DESC
06.21.21 Terri Hewitt DESC
06.21.21 Sonni and Jevon Simerly DESC
06.21.21 Susan and Tom Lane DESC
06.21.21 Liz Jenkins DESC
06.21.21 Kenneth Jenkins DESC
06.21.21 Rev. Lina Thompson DESC
06.21.21 Debi Wagner DESC
06.21.21 Jeppa Hall Renter Protections
06.21.21 Jeppa Hall DESC
06.21.21 Dr. C.Edgar (2) DESC
06.21.21 Aaron Weholt Seahurst Park
06.21.21 Gretchen Longridge DESC
06.21.21 Cesar Linares DESC
06.21.21 Stephanie Mora DESC
06.21.21 Kevin Swanson DESC
06.22.21 Annie Phillips Indian Trail
06.22.21 Patricia Howitz DESC
Correspondence to the Council 06.16.21 – 06.23.21 Heather Dumlao
From: Irene Danysh
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Dear Council Members, Thank you in advance for passing an emergency policy to protect Burien renters who could face eviction if our landlords fail to work with them to access the $145 million that King County has in Covid‐19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding.
I'm concerned that evictions have been impacting our communities of color more than any other group ‐ these communities are already suffering from job loss and their children are the hardest hit when families must move from the schools their children attend. Up till now 72% of evictions in Burien have been of community of color residents.
The money is there to assist people ‐ landlords need incentive to access this money. The incentive will be the policies you create.
Thank you again for your work to keep our families safe and housed, and our children having the best chance for a bright future. Sincerely, Irene Danysh
1 Heather Dumlao
From: Lynne Cobb
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I heartily support the DESC project for supportive housing and urge you to vote yes next week. We can all talk and argue endlessly about the best way to prevent homelessness, but here is a way that we can make a difference right here in Burien, where we know there are folks losing their housing regularly.
Please vote yes on the project.
Lynne A. Cobb, CPA, CMA Treasurer, Mary's Place 456 SW 121st St, Seattle, WA 98146 Burien Resident
2 Heather Dumlao
From: marian gillis
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I wish to weigh in as a YES. This is an experienced developer who knows how to do this. We should grab this investment opportunity now, rather than have an amateur, next year!
I am a homeowner, who can see their proposed site from my balcony. I look forward to enjoying the 152nd St Burien Business's this summer....before long the people on the street talking to themself will have somewhere to go, DESC will build a caring Home with Services.
Please, vote Yes.
Marian Gillis 15100 6th Ave SW Burien, WA 98166
‐‐
"Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there is a garden. I will meet you there". -The poet, Rumi
"Those that wear the hoods; do not make the policies" -Raoul Peck, filmmaker
3 Heather Dumlao
From: Mary Anne deVry
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Dear Burien City Councilmembers
I’m writing to urge you to enact a local eviction moratorium and other protections to prevent a wave of evictions after June 30. There are many rental assistance programs available to landlords and renters, but it will take months for this money to be distributed, and your action is essential to keep people safe and housed in the meantime. So many renters in Burien and across King County are struggling with rental debt due to the COVID‐19 pandemic and need time to get back on their feet. Burien had an eviction crisis prior to the pandemic and Black renters, who make up 8% of Burien’s population but were represented in 39% of the eviction filings, have been disproportionately impacted. In general, the vast majority of Burien’s total eviction filings were against people of color (72%) and these are the same communities that have been impacted the most by the pandemic. I support the protections proposed by the Stay Housed Stay Healthy coalition and ask you to act with urgency in passing them.
Sincerely, Mary Anne deVry 14234 6 Ave SW, Burien (206-790-3631)
4 Heather Dumlao
From: Natalia Fialkoff
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Please support DESC. As a business owner, I fully support this. Getting our citizens into permanent housing can only help the downtown core. Leaving them on the street creates a health hazard for us all. If we want to bring new growth to our cities and help our business thrive we must do our part to create a safe livable environment for all of our businesses. Natalia Fialkoff Puget Sound Tutoring
Sent from my iPhone
5 Heather Dumlao
From: David Gould
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Hello, City Council.
I am a home owner living in downtown Burien (Burien Town Square), within a few blocks of the proposed DESC location. While sympathetic to the issue, I don’t think downtown Burien is the place for this sort of facility given the fragility of our local business environment. There are already several vacancies and many small businesses are struggling to survive. Downtown Burien is a walkable neighborhood and when homeless or homeless‐like people are sleeping or hanging out on the sidewalks, people stop walking and stop going to restaurants, bars, bakeries, and parks.
My condo complex and nearby apartment buildings have had several break‐ins over the last several months as well as other property damage. A 95‐unit DESC complex is not likely to be a community improvement project. Please locate it elsewhere in an environment that is a better and more suitable fit.
Thanks for your consideration.
‐ Dave
[email protected] http://www.seanet.com/~daveg @drdavidgould https://www.linkedin.com/in/david‐gould‐156a871/
206.409.4021
The world is my campus: Digital, mobile, and agile.
6 Heather Dumlao
From: Julie Codd
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8
June 17, 2021
Dear Mayor Jimmy Matta, Deputy Mayor, Krystal Marx and City Council Members,
I want to thank you, in advance for voting YES in your support of DESC Permanent Supportive Housing in Burien, Washington.
Having lived in Burien for eleven years I've seen an increasing number of people who are living? (barely surviving) on the streets of Burien. Most of us pass them by as if they aren't there and they basically must feel invisible...not even human.
Having worked with Chief Seattle Club for ten years I know how much people who are unhoused struggle without the basic needs we take for granted. One person told me, "Living outside 24/7 one becomes mentally ill, you should try it sometime!"
The wrap-around supportive services that DESC offers are foundational for the next steps in the healing process. Evergreen Treatment Services and the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division work with DESC as well as many other mental health and advocacy groups. These services make a big difference in the lives of people who have had little or no support.
Some Burien businesses and residents expressed fear that crime would go up or residents of DESC would disturb the public. This has NOT been the experience at other DESC sites and taking a disabled person off the street and offering them a home and various kinds of support would tend to bring LESS crime and public disturbances.
Some of the people who find themselves homeless are Veterans. They have served our country giving their lives to protect us. It would seem not to support them, in their time of need, would be betraying what is best in ourselves. There will be 25 units reserved for our Veterans.
Many people who opposed DESC Permanent Supportive Housing in Burien emphasized their fear for the Burien residents and businesses but offered no solution to the plight of these unhoused neighbors.
We need to make our decision based on Love not Fear.
Thank you, Sincerely, Sr. Julie Codd, CSJP
Heather Dumlao
From: Susie Philipsen
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Dear Councilmembers, Thank you for your hard work on this issue and others. This has been a particularly challenging time with so much suffering and inequality laid bare. I can only imagine that in addition to the stress of running out government you all have family and friends who you support as well.
My name is Susie and I live a short walk from downtown burien. My kids play at the skatepark and we use downtown services, especially the library a lot. We are immensely grateful for how inclusive the library is of ALL patrons and I have learned from their policies that the best way to support our community is to offer loving kindness to the folks who face challenges.
You face many hard decisions and I encourage you to consider how our community might benefit in the long term by being the home of the supportive housing that is proposed. I know there will be some pain and discomfort from some residents who are not ready. But, I bet once they see how housing like this works firsthand and if they explore the positive outcomes that will flow from it,they might change their mind and see it’s value.
I have done years of community engagement around affordable housing, inclusionary zoning and homelessness on behalf of our neighbor Seattle and have personally witnessed residents who were adamantly against allowing affordable and supportive housing into their neighborhoods do a 180 once they saw how positive these places are. We can do this! There is room for dissent. And there is room for community to influence facets of the design and program with DESC along the way that may help them feel safer, too. We can come together in a both‐and style effort and offer compassion to our neighbors through authorizing this project. Please consider making a choice that serves the folks who need it most. They need more care and we have the the power to offer them a safe, stable life that was not possible before.
Good luck and deepest gratitude to you, Susie Philipsen ‐‐ YVES Music
9 Heather Dumlao
From: Fitzgibbon, Rep. Joe
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Dear Mayor Matta and Council,
Please see the attached letter from legislators representing the 33rd and 34th legislative districts in the state Legislature. Thanks for your consideration.
Joe Fitzgibbon State Representative 34th District
10
June 18, 2021
Burien City Council 400 Southwest 152nd Street Suite 300 Burien, Washington, 98166
Dear Mayor Matta and Councilmembers,
Thank you for your public service on behalf of the residents of Burien, which we are proud to represent in the Washington State Legislature. We appreciate the thoughtful consideration you have given to meeting the housing needs in the community. Burien is unique among local cities in the establishment of an Affordable Housing Demonstration Program (AHDP), signaling to residents and others the high priority the city places on creating opportunities for stable housing for all people.
We are writing to express our support for DESC's application for the AHDP. We have seen significant need for affordable housing in the city of Burien already, and DESC is committed to finding ways to prioritize people who already live in Burien for this housing.
Burien's adoption of the AHDP shows the city's desire to lead the region as we work toward a coordinated approach to addressing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing. DESC is a recognized leader in addressing homelessness with data-driven solutions to human problems: research shows that permanent supportive housing works, not just in the short run, but in helping our sons and daughters, siblings and friends in crisis stabilize for the long term, experience recovery and live a life that is fulfilling, as they define it.
Since its first permanent supportive housing building in 1994, DESC has grown to own and operate 1,155 permanent supportive housing units across 14 buildings of varying sizes. DESC’s most recent several buildings and the four in active development range in size from 91 to 177 units. Each unit created ensures that disabled and vulnerable people experiencing homelessness are brought into safe, secure, permanent homes from precarious lives in shelters, encampments or on the streets. Many of them are veterans of the US military. They become tenants who also benefit from 24/7 staffing support and an array of services and activities that build community, both within the facility and in the greater community. All services are delivered by a well-trained, professional, unionized workforce, with 18 new employees to be located full- time at the Burien building.
These are well-designed projects, built with innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable features, by respected partners. The buildings and landscaping are attractive additions to communities, in which Burien could take pride, and DESC works to be a responsive and responsible neighbor.
We recognize that many concerns have been raised by Burien community members during the consideration of this project. We are grateful to DESC for their ongoing commitment to the health care services that meet the needs of tenants reluctant to get care from regular clinics. DESC’s primary health care partners are Harborview and Neighborcare, but recognizing the important role that Sea Mar plays in delivery of health care services in Burien, DESC has committed to reaching out to Sea Mar to explore establishing a relationship during the time before this building opens as well as to explore expanding DESC’s own in-house medical services beyond its current focus on psychiatric services.
We also welcome DESC’s offer to form a Community Advisory Committee, which will provide a forum for neighbors to engage with DESC to bring forward questions and concerns and to work together to resolve any problems in both the development phase and operational phase of the project.
As you know, the Legislature has devoted considerable time and resources to addressing the connected challenges posed by behavioral health and the housing shortage. Our state’s success in responding to these crises and in providing secure housing to vulnerable people requires action not just by the state but also by our local partners, including Burien. The Legislature has prioritized resources for permanent supportive housing as the evidence-based solution to the problem of chronic homelessness, with substantial new investments in this model in the recently passed state budget. We believe the Burien community would be enriched by this visible and tangible sign of inclusivity and compassion.
Thank you for your consideration and for our continued work together in support of the Burien community.
Sincerely,
Joe Nguyen Eileen Cody Joe Fitzgibbon State Senator State Representative State Representative 34th District 34th District 34th District
Karen Keiser Mia Gregerson Tina Orwall State Senator State Representative State Representative 33rd District 33rd District 33rd District
Heather Dumlao
From: hoa binh
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe. Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, My name is Hoa Nguyen, My brother Long Nguyen and I owned a building and a business at: 15006 Ambaum Blvd SW Burien, WA 98166 We are located right next to the place that DESC planing to put a new 6 stores building in it. I was at all the meetings so far about the project, and I am very worry about what going to happen with my business if DESC put a building there. I have nothing against the homeless people and DESC. Actually, I let the homeless do their laundry at my laundromat once a week on Friday's morning(from 9 AM to 12 noon). My business close at 10PM every day, and we are always having homeless people hang inside, sometime sleep under the table. We have to ask them to leave, so we can close up. It is very scary to talk to those people because most of the time, they don't do what you tell them, and they get very mad. I won't be at my business to do the closing because I have another full time job at Boeing from 3PM to 11:30PM. My wife and my sister are very afraid of those situations, some time they have to call the police. They also hang out in the back of my business after business hour to sleep and making a mess in the morning. I did call the police a few times to remove those people, but they came back the next day. According to the new building drawing from DESC at the last meeting, the front of the DESC office will be facing the back of my business, it is not going to work because that is where my trash and recycle container are. If you can let someone from DESC come to my business, I will show them what it means. I also wanted a fence between my business and DESC new building and no parking allow on that side because that is my drive thru exit. Thank you for your time and hope you all doing well. Hoa Nguyen DBA: Burien Vibraclean 206‐246‐9010
11 Heather Dumlao
From: Gwen2
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Dear City Council Members,
I want to thank you in advance for voting YES on the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing project. This is the right thing to do for these people this project will serve and it will also help our community buy lifting these people up. We have to remember that our systems have created this situation and that systems will solve them There will be fewer homeless people on the streets They will get the support they need to become healthy. We will be seen as leaders in our greater community.
Thank you for voting YES. I am in support of this project. Gwendolyn Benedict
12 Heather Dumlao
From: Steve Glass
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I am asking you to approve the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean: Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040. 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien."
Steve Glass Burien Resident
Sent from my iPhone
13 Heather Dumlao
From: Kathy Hazen
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe. Dear Burien City Council,
Please support our homeless and disadvantaged folks in Burien. DESC is offering us something that we cannot afford to let slip away. We get a beautiful new building that will have many green features, we will bring jobs to Burien and most importantly, we will be able to help our disabled and mentally ill homeless population. King County has affirmed that new supportive housing should be established to meet the needs of people ALREADY in a given community and DESC's outreach will be to Burien's homeless first.
Please do the right and humane thing: Vote YES for DESC.
Sincerely, Kathy Hazen Burien, WA 98148
14 Heather Dumlao
From: Robin Moore
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I have lived in The Maverick apartments for three years, one of the first residents to move in. I am an elder who moved here after my husband died and after living over 30 years in a rural area. I am very happy with my apartment, its location, and the city of Burien. Like so very many I am concerned with the homeless I see on our streets.
I have read several long articles on the proposed apartments for homeless people which will be right down the street from me. I was glad to see there will not be a needle exchange program and that there will be medical care available for residents.
Please know I support this new building.
Sincerely, The Rev. Robin Moore
15 Heather Dumlao
From: Samantha Paulin <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2021 9:34 PM To: Public - Council Inbox Subject: CTTC - Support DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development
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Dear Burien Councilmembers. I am part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community and I am writing urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families: Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) Organizing to pass tenant protection policies Consistent children/youth development community-based programming Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 - over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill-assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated. The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you. We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean: Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0-30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien. We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members. Sincerely,
Samantha Paulin Lake Burien Presbyterian Church Member
16 Heather Dumlao
From: Ross Smith
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I sent identical letters to each person on the Burien City Council. The content is shown below using the letter I sent to the mayor as an example. Thank you for your consideration.
Mayor Matta ‐ I suggest that DESC’s Supportive Housing project plan for Burien is not a good match for Burien’s Affordable Housing Demonstration Program. Please vote against proceeding with DESC’s plan.
Services provided by Supportive Housing do not apply to most Burien families and individuals in need of affordable housing. DESC’s plan for Burien is not an appropriate option for them. Burien does not have a Supportive Housing Demonstration Program, but it would be far more appropriate to create one than to attempt to shoe‐horn DESC’s plan into Burien’s Affordable Housing Demonstration Program.
Were Burien to develop a Supportive Housing Demonstration Program, it would be possible for the city council to consider the special needs of such housing and their influence on the target location. DESC’s plan requires you to pretend that Supportive Housing’s impact on Burien would be identical to that of Affordable Housing. As that is certainly not the case, I urge you to reject DESC’s plan.
Please vote against proceeding with DESC’s plan.
Sincerely, Ross E. Smith 1913 SW 167th Street Burien, WA 98166
Reference: Affordable Housing Demonstration Program Checklist 03‐23‐20 Final.pdf (burienwa.gov)
17 Heather Dumlao
From: Chris and Chrissie Drape
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe. June 21, 2021
Dear Burien Councilmembers.
We part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community and are writing urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families:
Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) Organizing to pass tenant protection policies Consistent children/youth development community‐based programming Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 ‐ over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill‐assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated.
The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you.
We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC.
Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members.
Sincerely,
Chrissie and Chris Drape
18 Heather Dumlao
From: Michael O'Neill
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This is a great idea and way to help those who cannot help themselves. It’s proposed for a location that will not impact residential areas and costs Burien nothing! It won’t solve all the homeless problems but is definitely a step in the right direction. Do not oppose this project!
Michael O’Neill Burien WA. 98148
Sent from my iPhone
19 Heather Dumlao
From: chestine edgar <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 8:03 AM To: Megan Gregor; Heather Dumlao; Public - Council Inbox; Jimmy Matta; [email protected]; [email protected]; Susan McLain; Sofia Aragon; Pedro Olguin; Nancy Tosta; Kevin Schilling; Cydney Moore; Brian Wilson; David Johanson Cc: Garmon Newsom II Subject: CTTC - comment to be read aloud by the City Clerk at the June 21, 2021 council meeting
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Please have the City Clerk read these comments aloud at the 6‐21‐21 council meeting during the comment time and also place it in Correspondence to the Council
To the Burien City Council and City Manager;
Residents, businesses and citizens were told that their comments would be read out loud by the city Clerk at the Public Hearing of June 14, 2021, if they submitted them in a timely manner. That did not happen. The Mayor, Jimmy Matta, prior to the Public Hearing promised that all comments would be heard aloud by the Council. It appears that a council member overrode that decision during the hearing. This is a disingenuous and dishonest way to deal with the public at a Public Hearing. Not reading all of the submitted comments has further eroded any public trust about this DESC project status vote that is to happen tonight.
This DESC Project should not be allowed to be placed under the Affordable Housing Demonstration project status because;
1. It does not meet the criteria for being under this project status. It is not affordable housing. It is supportive housing. And by definition they are not the same. Supportive housing is not covered in the Comp Plan housing.
2. The DESC Corporation currently owns no land in Burien for this project. DESC should have to follow all of the ordinances, codes, zoning and fees that all other developers have to follow to develop in the city. The DESC Corporation is requesting to be exempt from all of that.
3. Simply because Dow Constantine and the King County have in some way indicated that they are going to fund this DESC project does not give DESC a "for free pass" to not have to follow all of the rules other developers have to follow. Nor does it compel or force this council to give this project a special status under the Comp Plan. Burien residents voted to incorporate in 1993 to escape the heavy handedness of King County on its lands and housing.
4. This project will not improve the safety, economic prosperity, sustainability of the city or quality of life in the city for the residents and businesses in the city. It does not add value to the city for the future in the downtown core.And based on the history of other DESC projects, this project will increase crime, gang activities, illegal drug sales and the greater need for emergency services in the city.
For those reasons, the council should vote NO on this DESC project status application.
Respectfully, Dr. C.Edgar
20 Heather Dumlao
From: Jade Selle
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June 21, 2021
Dear Burien Councilmembers,
I am part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community and I am writing urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families:
Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) Organizing to pass tenant protection policies Consistent children/youth development community-based programming Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 - over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill-assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated.
The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you.
We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean: Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0-30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien. We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members.
Sincerely, Jade Selle, Burien Resident.
21 Heather Dumlao
From: Lori Wright
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Hello Burien Council members,
I attend Lake Burien Presbyterian church and have been aware of the work done by the Highline Ecumenical Leadership Circle (ELC) around issues pertaining to the well‐being of the Burien community. I think the DESC Housing Project is a good plan that will benefit the Burien community in so many ways. I am attaching my letter with the specific details.
We appreciate your support for this very important work.
Thank you,
Lori Wright (206) 763‐3424 (work) http://www.theinquisitivemind.com
22 June 20, 2021
Dear Burien Councilmembers.
I am part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community, and I am writing to urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community-based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families:
• Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) • Organizing to pass tenant protection policies • Consistent children/youth development community-based programming • Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) • Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. • Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 - over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill-assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. • Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated. The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you. We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean:
• Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0-30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 • 25 units will be created for veterans • Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division • Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members. Sincerely,
Lori Wright (member of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church)
Heather Dumlao
From: Brian Hewitt
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June 20, 2021
Dear Burien Councilmembers, I am part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community and I am writing urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families:
Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) Organizing to pass tenant protection policies Consistent children/youth development community‐based programming Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 ‐ over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill‐assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated. The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways has encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you. We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members. Sincerely, Brian Hewitt
23 Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
24 Heather Dumlao
From: Terri Hewitt
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June 21, 2021
Dear Burien Councilmembers, I am part of the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church faith community and I am writing urge your support of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development. Along with many other community based partners, our congregation has been a part of many important efforts in recent years to provide support for Burien families:
Advocacy and resources for residents facing evictions (Fox Cove Apartments) Organizing to pass tenant protection policies Consistent children/youth development community‐based programming Weekly food distributions since March 2020 (over 17,200 boxes of groceries) Partnering with Alimentando Al Pueblo for an additional weekly LatinX food distribution. Stewarding COVID19 emergency community fund since March 2020 ‐ over $200,000 received from the community and disbursed in bill‐assistance to HSD families – including Burien families. Partnering to host a weekend vaccination clinic – over 500 people vaccinated. The City of Burien, in both formal and informal ways has encouraged and supported most, if not all of these efforts. Thank you.
We hope you will continue to support vulnerable people in the community by voting to approve DESC.
Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
We believe Burien has the collective wisdom, resources and creativity across all sectors, to address any challenge without fear or the mindset of scarcity and to do so without demonizing those with whom we disagree. And it can be done with compassion, dignity and respect for some of our community’s most vulnerable members.
Sincerely, Terri N Hewitt
25 Get Outlook for iOS
26 Heather Dumlao
From: Sonni Simerly
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Hello,
My husband and I feel that this will not benefit our local community or the homeless population. The building and real‐ estate does not serve our local community and business owners. We strongly vote against the DESC Affordable Housing Development.
Thank you,
Sonni and Jevon Simerly
27 Heather Dumlao
From: Tom Lane
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We are writing today to ask you to approve development of the proposed DESC permanent supportive housing facility in Burien.
In recent years we have had opportunities to see and learn more about homelessness in Burien:
when we assisted former residents of the Fox Cove apartments in finding other places to live, packing up, and moving out of their homes on very short notice; when we helped host and feed guests in two severe weather emergency shelters at Highline United Methodist Church; when the Council has revised some of Burien's housing policies; as we have met and talked with people who are homeless in Burien's parks and public spaces.
For these and many other reasons, we urge the Council to approve the permanent supportive housing facility. We believe that Burien's continued growth and maturity requires a forward‐looking approach to caring for its citizens, especially those who are on the margins. We believe that our own well‐being is connected to the well‐being of our community, and this thoughtful and strategic project will offer stability and services needed to support people as they get back on their feet. We believe this is an important opportunity at a critical time.
Thank you for your consideration and leadership.
Susan and Tom Lane Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
28 Heather Dumlao
From: Elizabeth Cooledge Jenkins
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Dear Burien City Council,
I'm writing to ask you to vote to approve the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing Development would mean:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040. 25 units will be created for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reducing the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
I support this measure that can help vulnerable people get off the streets and have access to more of the resources they desperately need. I think it will strengthen our whole community. Affordable housing is a huge need, as well as the other resources the DESC would bring.
I'm proud to live in an economically diverse community like Burien that operates with hospitality and care for vulnerable people, and I hope that we can continue and strengthen this important part of who we are.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best, Liz Jenkins Burien resident & member at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
29 Heather Dumlao
From: Kenneth Jenkins
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Dear Burien Councilmembers,
I am writing today to ask that you vote to approve the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development. Approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development would mean:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040. Creation of 25 units for veterans Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Providing housing to vulnerable individuals to reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien.
Homelessness, and the more general shortage of housing in our region, is a serious and growing problem. We should face this problem head on and do everything we can to increase housing stock, and build a more inclusive society.
Sincerely, Kenneth Jenkins (Burien resident)
30 Heather Dumlao
From: Rev. Jenny Partch
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Dear Burien Councilmembers.
We, as the Ecumenical Leadership Circle, write to you to ask that you seriously consider the approval of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development.
Over the last few years, we have gathered from different churches in Burien brought together by a deep concern that we share for the well‐being of all members of our Burien community whether housed or unhoused, status or no status. Through the coalition that we have formed within and across our church communities and the partnerships with other faith, non‐profit, education, and youth sectors we have collectively pushed for tenants’ rights and have provided emergency shelter during the harshest times of the winter season. Despite the chaos the pandemic created, through the networks that we have formed we have helped to provide some of what our community has desperately needed: food, financial/rental assistance, shelter, childcare.
As the ELC we urge you, support the grassroots efforts in the community to acknowledge and honor the dignity of all members in our community, and approve of the DESC Permanent Supportive Housing development.
A yes vote means:
Building 95 out of the 481 units in the 0‐30% AMI range that the city wants to build by 2040
25 units will be created for veterans
Bringing forth desperately needed resources such as, Evergreen Treatment services and King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division
Providing housing to vulnerable individuals and reduce the incidence of chronic homelessness in Burien
On behalf of the Ecumenical Leadership Circle,
Rev. Lina Thompson
Pastor Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
31
Rev. Jenny Partch / Rev. Sofia Estevez
Highline United Methodist Church
Rev. Amy Hitchens ormandy Park UCC
Beatrice Van Tulder / Maria Balsiger
St. Francis of Assisi
ELC members
Brian Hewitt Benjamin Fader
Cesar Linares
Connie Clark
Ken Gollursd Josefina Gonzalez
32 Heather Dumlao
From: Debi Wagner
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Please read the following comments at tonight’s meeting and include in CTTC. Thank you. In the last couple of months, I have spoken to many people about the DESC proposal. Nobody is in favor of it coming to Burien’s downtown. Even proponents admit this is the wrong location. Outside of a very small handful of drug use advocates within Burien and Seattle, this proposal is unwelcome. It would never receive voter approval if put to the vote of the people.
Inviting drug users and their dealers who will follow them, into residency in downtown Burien is a horrible idea. Nothing good can come out of this. Even the best case scenario that some may be helped is no assurance since most won’t be local and 16% still die in these facilities. Worst case, among many, is drug dealers who regularly service this large customer base all in one convenient location, will congregate bringing the crime, gang activity and violence that accompanies this illegal trade.
Wonder why no other cities besides Seattle are doing this? Because they cherish their safety and their city. Debi Wagner
33 Heather Dumlao
From: Jeppa Hall
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June 21, 2020
Dear Burien City Council,
I am voicing my support for you to pass a suite of emergency renter protections that ensure housing stability as we emerge from the pandemic. I support this action because, as Burien emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to make sure that families are not thrown out of their homes. Measures like those being proposed will increase housing stability and help to prevent a wave of evictions and homelessness in Burien this summer and fall. Please act with urgency to protect Burien renters.
We must continue and strengthen equitable housing stability for all. Prior to the pandemic Burien and King County already had an eviction crisis. Black renters, who make up 8% of Burien’s population but were represented in 39% of the eviction filings, have been disproportionately impacted. The vast majority of Burien’s total eviction filings were against people of color (72%) and these are the same communities that have been impacted the most by the pandemic.
Evictions can lead to homelessness. Preventing evictions is essential to making sure the homelessness crisis in our region doesn’t get worse. With large amounts of rental assistance money coming to King County, no one should be evicted over pandemic rental debt. But it will take months for rental assistance to be disbursed. But, unfortunately, many landlords will choose to evict unless Burien and other cities take action to ensure that landlords are using these programs instead.
Thank you for your support!
Jeppa Hall, Burien, 98166
‐‐ Jeppa K Hall www.queenshmooquan.com www.finger‐music.com www.goatgirlmusic.com
34 Heather Dumlao
From: Jeppa Hall
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Dear City Council, Much of the opposition to the DESC housing is rooted in fear and misunderstanding about the people who will live there. I was a child of a parent who suffered from Bipolar Disorder. When I was a kid, our housing was often at risk because of my father's occasional mental health crisis, when he was unable to work. We even experienced homelessness at different times due to his challenges. When supportive housing is made available to folks who need it, despite mental and physical health challenges, families can thrive and have the ability to stay intact. I wish stable housing was available for my Dad, because it would have lessened his worries and the suffering of my brother and I. My Uncle was living on the streets in Seattle due to an eviction due his diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and subsequent inability to pay rent, like my father. He is a senior. We saw a quick decline in his physical and mental health due to his homelessness. Until we were able to carry the burden of taking him into our home recently, we were worried about his survivability. Stable housing, while a financial burden for our family, has greatly improved his mental health. He is now fully integrated into our community and family and contributes to my family's well being. Not all families have the ability to care for a family member with mental health challenges. Without our support, he would have continued his downward spiral of isolation. So many of us either have mental illness ourselves or have family members who have these challenges. Our communities benefit when people have access to stable housing. Supportive Housing is the SOLUTION to homelessness‐‐ both for the individual experiencing it and the community where they live. Thank you for supporting the well being of Burien, Jeppa Hall, 98166 Burien
‐‐ Jeppa K Hall www.queenshmooquan.com www.finger‐music.com www.goatgirlmusic.com
35 Heather Dumlao
From: chestine edgar <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 2:02 PM To: Megan Gregor; Heather Dumlao; Public - Council Inbox; Jimmy Matta; [email protected]; [email protected]; David Johanson; Sofia Aragon; Pedro Olguin; Nancy Tosta; Kevin Schilling; Cydney Moore; Brian Wilson; Susan McLain Cc: Garmon Newsom II Subject: CTTC - The newest research on Housing First/Harm Reduction model and a NO vote on DESC
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Please place this in correspondence to the Council.
To the Burien City Council and City Manager;
The application by the DESC Corporation to be part of the Affordable Housing Demonstrations projects should be turned down‐vote NO on this by the Council. It is not affordable housing by definition but rather a model of supportive housing. The Comp Plan provisions for these projects did not identify supportive housing as being included under the types of housing identified in this project group. Simply because the Planning Commission failed to thoroughly investigate the application by DESC and failed to inquire deeper into the nature and facts of the project before they voted on it, does not make the DESC project eligible for the status DESC is requesting.
Council member Nancy Tosta has written a letter of the B‐town Blog media and has outlined a number of the issues about why the DESC Corporation should not be approved for the Affordable Housing Demonstration project. Many Burien residents, businesses and citizens are in agreement with her on this issue and thank her for clearly explaining the reason that the council should vote NO on this project status.
In addition to the above stated points by Nancy Tosta, the model that DESC promotes in its shelter and supportive housing projects (supportable housing/ harm reduction) are not effective and curative for the population that DESC is targeting. The Tsemberis "Housing First model" when paired with the Harm Reduction Model is not curative nor does it produce the dramatic results that Tsemberis claimed. In light of the recent research and analysis of the Housing First/Harm Reduction, Tsemberis has refused to respond to inquiries about his model. Additionally, the vigor, integrity and accuracy of the research of the the Seattle study on Seattle homeless alcoholics has seriously been questioned. Here are some of the most recent facts and data relating to the DESC Corporation model that should be seriously studied before allowing this DESC supportive housing project to have special development status in Burien. DESC and Dan Malone are aware of recent research about Housing First/Harm Reduction model and still refuse to monitor and adjust the model they are forcing the homeless, mentally ill and disabled into. The Housing First /Harm Reduction appears to not be curative and has a detrimental effect on a significant number of a number of people placed in it.
For the above stated reason, the Burien City Council should vote against giving the DESC project special status to be included in the Allowable Housing Demonstrations project.
Source: RealClearInvestigations, April 21, 2021 excerpts from total article
"...Ever since clinical psychologist Tsemberis pioneered the model in New York City in the 1990s, political leaders, activists, and academics have insisted that Housing First is an “evidence-based” intervention that reduces homelessness, saves taxpayer money, and improves lives. Supporters frequently argue that the program reduced costs in a study of chronic alcoholics in Seattle, consistently demonstrates high retention rates in 36 multiple academic surveys, and eliminated chronic homelessness in Utah. “We're going to stem this crisis by building supportive housing in every neighborhood throughout Los Angeles,” City Council member Herb Wesson recently claimed. These studies, however, are not as persuasive as activists suggest. Although the study of chronic alcoholics in Seattle does show a net reduction in monthly social service costs of $2,449 per person, this figure does not include $11 million in capital and construction costs for the housing units themselves; in other words, Housing First saves money if the cost of housing is not included. Even on its own favorable terms, the study’s purported savings aren’t as dramatic as they appear: While the Housing First participants showed a 63% reduction in service costs over six months, a wait-listed control group that was not provided housing showed a 42% reduction in service costs over the same time period, raising questions about the specific effectiveness of the intervention. Claims that studies show one-year retention rates of roughly 80% for Housing First participants are open to question. In a meta-study of three best-in-class Housing First sites, researchers found that 43% remained in housing for the first 12 months, 41% were “intermittent stayers” who left and returned, and 16% abandoned the program or died within the first year. These findings challenge the argument that Housing First is a long-term solution to homelessness. Finally, advocates and the media have long touted Utah as the gold standard of Housing First. “The Daily Show” called the state’s program “mind-blowing,” the Los Angeles Times reported in 2015 that Utah “is winning the war on chronic homelessness,” and dozens of media outlets announced that the state “reduced chronic homelessness by 91%.” These miraculous results, however, were not the result of Housing First policies, but apparently clerical manipulation by state officials. According to the Deseret News and economist Kevin Corinth, “As much as 85% of Utah's touted reductions in chronic homelessness … may have been due to changes in how the homeless were counted.” It’s not that all of the chronically homeless were housed; they were simply transposed onto a new spreadsheet. Moreover, between 2016 and 2018, the number of unsheltered homeless in Utah nearly doubled – hardly the victory that Housing First activists had declared. The recent debate surrounding Housing First has predominantly been focused on the physical and budgetary metrics of housing retention and cost reductions. But these surface-level concerns obscure a deeper question: What happens to the human beings in these programs? The results, according to the vast majority of studies, point to a grim conclusion: Housing First does not meaningfully improve human lives. Although housing programs are often an effective solution for families experiencing a temporary loss of shelter, Housing First programs do not have a strong track record improving the lives of the unsheltered homeless — the people in tents, cars, and on the streets — who often suffer from more severe challenges. According to research by the California Policy Lab, 75% of the unsheltered homeless have substance abuse condition, 78% have mental health conditions, and 84% have physical health conditions. In theory, Housing First would address these problems. In every program, residents are offered a wide range of services. At the Pathways to Housing program in New York City, a flagship program founded by Sam Tsemberis himself, residents are served by an “interdisciplinary team of professionals that includes social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, and vocational and substance abuse counselors who are available to assist consumers 7 days a week 24 hours a day.” However, despite this massive intervention, the Pathways program shows no reduction in substance abuse or psychiatric symptoms over time – in fact, those conditions often worsened. This basic finding is confirmed by a range of studies showing that residents of Housing First programs show no improvement regarding addiction and mental illness. They are housed but broken, wracked by the cruelest psychoses, compulsions, and torments – all under the guise of medical care. A Housing First experiment in Ottawa, Canada, illustrates this paradoxical outcome in stark terms. Researchers divided the study into two populations: an “intervention” group that was provided Housing First and access to primary care, medically assisted treatment, social workers, and on-demand services; and a non-intervention “control” group that was not provided housing or services – they were simply left on the streets. To the shock of 37 the researchers, after 24 months the non-intervention control group reported better results regarding substance abuse, mental health, quality of life, family relations, and mortality than the Housing First group. In other words, doing nothing resulted in superior human outcomes than providing Housing First with wraparound services.... One explanation may be that Housing First programs are deliberately not oriented toward recovery, rehabilitation, and renewal. They operate on the “harm reduction” model, which allows residents to continue using drugs such as alcohol, heroin, and methamphetamine, and does not require mental health treatment as a condition of residency. In theory, this permissive policy would help “reduce harm” to the individual; in practice, however, it may create a community-level effect that makes it hard for any individual to find recovery. Here is the basic chain of events: Homeless individuals with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders are placed together in a residential facility where they are allowed to continue the way of life they had on the streets. Despite the availability of services, there is no incentive to use those services and no disincentive to the problematic behavior associated with street homelessness. Consequently, widespread addiction often becomes the norm within Housing First programs.... This chain of events is not just a thought experiment. In Birmingham, Ala., researchers inadvertently created this exact problem when they put participants of two different programs – one “recovery” program and one “harm reduction” program – in the same apartment complex. Immediately after beginning the experiment, the recovery group “began abandoning the provided housing, complaining that their proximity to persons not required to remain abstinent (i.e., the other trial group) was detrimental to their recovery. They claimed that they preferred to return to homelessness rather than live near drug users.” The researchers quickly stopped and reorganized the trial, writing that “this unexpected reaction shows one possible risk to housing persons with active addiction." Vote NO on allowing the DESC supportive housing project into the Affordable Housing Demonstrations projects. Respectfully, Dr.C.Edgar
38 Heather Dumlao
From: [email protected]
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I am a resident of the Hurstwood neighborhood. Our house is on SW 140th St, overlooking the grassy area at the entrance to Seahurst Park. The conditions evolving in and around the park entrance are reaching a completely unbearable state. From the 8:00 am park opening till the close at night, it is a nonstop roar of unmuffled or modified exhaust systems from cars and trucks, racing up the hill or down into the park. Rain or shine, day or night, it never stops. Coupled with this is an increasing occurrence, around closing time or after, for loud fights or confrontations to break out near the entrance, or more recently, spilling onto the streets of our neighborhood. It really is only a matter of time before these fights result in gun fire. We already frequently hear guns shots down in the woods below our house. Of course, we as residents are reluctant to investigate or confront these individuals and calling the police seems pointless as they always arrive after the fact. Thus, we are trapped in this unravelling environment of chaos, noise and threat. We bought our house here 3 years ago thinking this was going to be a great place to retire. Not anymore. I see us moving far sooner than we had planned.
I know there are solutions but I feel the city simply doesn’t care to make the investment. At the very least a vehicle noise camera installed at the entrance to the park would put people on notice that violators will be ticketed just like at school zones and such. Seahurst Park is only going to attract more traffic as time goes by. With so many people going in and out, it can’t just be left as a free for all with no accountability for the privilege of using this great site.
1634 SW 140th St., Burien WA, 98166 206-475-9383 www.legal-media.com
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39 Heather Dumlao
From: Gretchen Longridge
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As a 40+ year Burien resident and voter I am emailing you today to ask for a No vote tonight for DESC. I have researched the Affordable Housing Demonstration Program and I don’t believe that the DESC program fits in the guidelines for several reasons. I agree that Burien needs to address the homeless issue and especially the mental health and addiction needs we see on our streets. I would support programs here in Burien that would provide those for Burien homeless and those in need. DESC does not do that! We need affordable housing for the FAMILIES that are in need NOT individuals ONLY that are assigned here by King County. Until we fill the 14 open position within Burien Police Department we cannot come close to handling the issues that DESC will bring to the city. Crime in my neighborhood of Seahurst has gone way up already. Please take care of Burien families and Burien needy first. Vote No for DESC. Please make your legacy in Burien be about solving the issues we have here already and not bringing more issues to our doorstep. I have seen what has happened to Renton Village shopping center because of the residents at the DESC facility there and I’m terrified we are the next victims. A NO vote tonight will decide my support for you in the future.
Thank you for your time and your no vote
Gretchen Longridge 2527 SW 146th Lane Seattle, WA 98166 206-714-9908
Apologies for being brief...Sent from my iPhone
40 Heather Dumlao
From: Cesar Linares
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Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to you as a community member, as a resident of Burien, as a person of faith, as a youth worker, as a person working to stay engaged with community, to ask that you approve of the DESC Permanent Supportive housing demonstration project. There are many perspectives that one can take and that one must weigh in making this decision, and they may all be valid points but at the end of the day it is the well‐being of human lives that are immediately at stake. Yes, it will take some time before DESC begins development and still it will be one of the next best steps in a direction that has the best interests of the most vulnerable members of our community in mind. The city of Burien has demonstrated how it can take bold action to protect its most vulnerable community members when it passed the Just Cause Eviction ordinance. The community raised their voice when students and their families and individuals were being taken out of their homes and the city of Burien listened. We are asking once again that you hear out the community that are asking for this support for those who desperately need it and also to support those groups that are trying to meet the needs of our community.. Together we can provide for our community what they, what we most need fundamentally need, a safe and healthy home to flourish… Please approve of the DESC project
Cesar Linares Burien Resident Youth/community worker Highline UMC
41 Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to you as a community member, as a resident of Burien, as a person of faith, as a youth worker, as a person working to stay engaged with community, to ask that you approve of the DESC Permanent Supportive housing demonstration project. There are many perspectives that one can take and that one must weigh in making this decision, and they may all be valid points but at the end of the day it is the well-being of human lives that are immediately at stake. Yes, it will take some time before DESC begins development and still it will be one of the next best steps in a direction that has the best interests of the most vulnerable members of our community in mind. The city of Burien has demonstrated how it can take bold action to protect its most vulnerable community members when it passed the Just Cause Eviction ordinance. The community raised their voice when students and their families and individuals were being taken out of their homes and the city of Burien listened. We are asking once again that you hear out the community that are asking for this support for those who desperately need it and also to support those groups that are trying to meet the needs of our community.. Together we can provide for our community what they, what we most need fundamentally need, a safe and healthy home to flourish… Please approve of the DESC project
Cesar Linares Burien Resident Youth/community worker Highline UMC Heather Dumlao
From: stephanie mora
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I sending this letter again with some signatures added.
Burien City Council,
We are the businesses in the immediate area of the proposed DESC location in downtown Burien. We do not support the location of this project and we have deep concerns about the impact it will have not only on our businesses but the downtown retail core as a whole. Despite the fact we have expressed those concerns to many of you, it seems very clear there are at least four votes on the city council to allow this project to proceed.
Understanding the reality that we face, we ask that the scope of the project be changed in the following ways so that any negative effects are minimized and the positive ones from this project actually benefit the residents of Burien:
1) Require commercial retail space on the street level of the proposed building and give our fellow small business owners who are being evicted the first right of refusal to occupy that space at market rates. Street level retail space will ensure DESC maintains the proposed building so that they can lease the commercial retail spaces in the future, provides a possible location for the displaced businesses, and builds a facility that fits the character of the neighborhood.
2) Set aside 50% of the proposed units as affordable housing for residents of Burien. As currently proposed, there is no guarantee that a single resident of Burien will be housed at DESC. If our community is going to be significantly impacted then the residents of our community who need help should also benefit from this project.
3) Require adequate parking. The proposed site of DESC is in the downtown retail core. It is both shortsighted and unfair that the parking requirements for DESC do not fit the infrastructure needs of the neighborhood it will be built in. This will place an undue burden on street parking in the area and the parking lots of our businesses. At a minimum, there should be enough parking to accommodate the entire staff of DESC and the same amount of parking the city would require if any other private housing unit were to be built on the same site.
If these suggestions are adopted, we feel DESC can actually benefit the residents of Burien while providing a needed resource for our community.
With Deep Concern,
Stephanie Mora Jenny and Otto Jimenez 42 Jeff Green Beka Atwood Kathryn Perkins Mike Seekins Rudy Zamora Thomas Fox Monica Barret Jeong A Kin Mark Headley Peter Gelinas Mai Trang Maria Arellano Gema Lorio Jose Luis Rangel David Burke Magdalena Castro Lidsay White Aaron Collins
43 Heather Dumlao
From: Kevin Swanson
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe.
This won’t help the issue we are facing.
Kevin Swanson Director of Interior Designer Hawthorn Construction Group Sent from my iPhone
44 Heather Dumlao
From: annie phillips
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe.
If we mean what we say in our land acknowledgement before public meetings, that we honor the stewardship and history of our predecesssors in this area, then we should preserve the Indian Trail. It was an important connection for Duwamish and Salish people between the communities of 3 Tree Point and Redondo and villages in between. Any breeches that have happened over the years are unfortunate, and we should not permit any further ones, now that we understand about our native heritage.
We should also protect all the major trees we have left.
I heard that late last night (6/21) the Council approved a driveway crossing our beloved walking trail and a tram to carry stuff and people up and down the bluff. I beg you to reconsider this disrespectful decision.
Thank you. Annie Phillips 17600 Sylvester Rd SW Burien
45 Heather Dumlao
From: Patricia Howitz
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Burien. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and have verified the contents are safe.
We must not allow this to happen . All the good work put into this community will be for not. I have lived in this community fighting against the encroachment of the airport. Fought for 20 years & the port lied & silenced 2 EPA agents who were against the 3rd runway..The port will out live us all. There was a plan to burn garbage in Burien which was tharted . Now homeless housing development for King County which will attract people outside of this area. We have done our part. We cannot take care of the problems we have! There are gangs, & unsafe streets. Burien citizens should come first ! If not I will no longer use the library, shop in the stores, use common spaces or take a walk in Burien. & will fight to put you out of office
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