From all of us at We Are In, we wish you a happy and healthy year ahead.

Along with the new year, January has also brought some extremely cold weather, and incredibly difficult conditions for our unsheltered and unhoused neighbors. The longer we wait to take action, the more our neighbors are in the cold, at great personal risk.

That’s why We Are In is ready to act on innovative, regional solutions to homelessness in King County, and to boost the important work happening on the ground every day. Thank you for joining us.

2019 ended with both Seattle City and King County Councils committing to create the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, which will unite our region’s efforts under one roof for the first time ever. This is a critical first step in coordinating our response systems and the successful programs we see working on the ground everyday.

However, there’s more work to do to make sure the voices of experts, nonprofits, service providers and those who have experienced homelessness are at the center of solutions. We Are In’s partners will be working alongside government leaders this year to identify the next steps for our region to prevent and solve homelessness.

Learn more about the Regional Homelessness Authority in this article from the Seattle Times , and read We Are In’s statement on the vote here.

What you can do to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Seattle and King County

We’re thrilled you’re “in” for smart, regional solutions to ending homelessness in King County. If you’re looking for more ways to get involved, here are some things to look out for:

Volunteer your time

Join the annual Point In Time count in the early morning of January 24 to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in King County. Counts like this are crucial for service providers, and help raise awareness in the community to spark action.

As a volunteer, you’ll drive or walk a pre-assigned route with your team, and training will be provided. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to join too!

Spread the word

United Way King County is holding a Resource Exchange in Renton on MLK Day, January 20, and they need help spreading the word. You can help by tweeting or posting on Facebook:

Free resources for families experiencing homelessness at @UnitedWayKC’s Resource Exchange at Lindbergh High School, 10am-2pm on January 20. Housing resources, legal and financial advice, job opportunities, meals, and more. Help spread the word!

Share our video

Watch and share our video on why a regional approach is needed for King County. Share with your networks and encourage them to say ‘We Are In’ by joining us.