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Category: Resource Wire

Jobs and Community Resources – 12/6/23

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Welcome to Resource Wire for December 6 through 13, 2023! This is your source for the latest news and updates about community resources and opportunities for folks living on low incomes in Seattle and King County.

It takes forever to get it, but subsidized housing can be a godsend if and when you eventually qualify. However, with more than 22,000 households on a list stretching back five years, the King County Housing Authority has decided to temporarily freeze the list. If you still want to get on it, you have until December 15 to apply. Read on to learn how, plus find information about upcoming resource fairs, free holiday events, and more!

NEW THIS WEEK | UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES | ONGOING RESOURCES

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~NEW THIS WEEK~

DEADLINE TO GET ON SUBSIDIZED HOUSING WAITLIST 

WHEN: Wait list temporarily closes Friday, December 15, 2023. 

WHAT: The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) says it is temporarily closing its wait list for subsidized housing so it can review its procedures and update its software. There are currently more than 22,000 households on the list, which has an average wait time of more than five years. 

KCHA says it will reopen its waitlist after completing the software upgrade, but it hasn’t said how long that will take. 

MORE INFO: Read Facing ‘community housing crisis,’ King County Housing Authority Temporarily Closes Subsidized Housing Wait List. 

FREE HOLIDAY EVENTS 

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6, through December 31, 2023 

WHAT: A variety of free holiday events over the next few weeks, from ice skating to Christmas ships at the beach. Events are happening across the city. 

MORE INFO: Check out all the holiday events on the Seattle Parks & Recreation calendar. 

SKYWAY RESOURCE FAIR 

WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 12:30-4pm 

WHAT: Join community navigators of Seattle & King County Public Health and get free help with cell phones, health, transportation, employment, utilities, and more. No registration required. 

MORE INFO: Go to Community Resource Fair, call 206.280.9055, or email vicky@promotoresnetwork.org. 

HELP WITH BAD CREDIT 

WHEN: Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 6-8pm

WHERE: Online; register for link.

WHAT: Is your credit preventing you from obtaining a job, making a large purchase, or securing stable housing? This free credit counseling workshop from the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle may be for you! 

TO REGISTER: Go to Credit & Budget Counseling Workshop.

DEADLINE REMINDER: MEDICARE SAVINGS 

WHEN: Open enrollment ends Thursday, December 7, 2023. 

WHAT: If you’re enrolled in Medicare and living on a low income, you may be eligible for a program that could save you more than $1,900 a year. Medicare Savings Programs help eligible people by paying Medicare premiums, deductibles and other Medicare-related costs. You can have either standard Medicare or a Medicare managed care plan.  

TO APPLY: Applying is easy! Contact SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) at 206.753.4806 or shiba@solid-ground.org to find out more. 

~UPCOMING/CURRENT COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES~

FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS 

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 10am-2pm

WHERE: Real Change, 96 S Main St, Seattle 

WHAT: King County’s Mobile Medical Program provides walk-in care for people who are living homeless (or were recently homeless) only. Please try to arrive at least one hour before the scheduled end time for the clinic. On rare occasions the clinic will close earlier than the scheduled time. Call the Mobile Van nursing lines if you would like to confirm the clinic end time for a particular day.

Please note: Sites and available services are subject to change due to Mobile Medical’s involvement in the COVID-19 response. Please check King County’s Mobile Medical Care webpage for the latest information, including upcoming dates in September.

Upcoming Seattle dates:

Upcoming South King County dates:

MORE INFO: Go to King County Mobile Medical Care or call 206.330.6775 for the Seattle Medical Van or 206.549.5562 for the South King County Medical Van.

FREE COLD WEATHER GEAR, HOLIDAY GIFTS 

WHEN: Friday, December 8, 2023, 1-4pm 

WHERE: 919 124th Ave NE, Suite 103, Bellevue, WA 98005 

WHAT: Essentials First will be handing out free blankets, toys and books for children, socks and other cold weather gear. Free and low-cost medical and veterinary services will also be available. 

MORE INFO: Go to Holiday Fair 12/8.  

LEARN YOUR RIGHTS AS A RENTER

WHEN:  Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 3-4:45pm

WHERE: Zoom; register for link.

WHAT: Discuss tenants’ rights and procedures from the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of Washington state. You’ll learn how to… 

  • Make a formal repair request. 
  • Break your lease. 
  • Formally move out of your unit. 
  • Get your deposit back.  

A visiting attorney from the Tenant Law Center will also be on hand to help with answering questions. If you’re currently living in King County and being threatened with eviction, contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 206.267.7069 or hjpstaff@kcba.org. 

TO REGISTER: Go to Rent Smart: General Information on the King County Library System website. Contact Julia Gibson at jgibson@kcls.org for help with registration.

JOB FAIRS & HIRING EVENTS

WHAT: A variety of employers are holding hiring events over the next week, with some making on-the-spot offers with no experience required.  

Solid Ground Transit 

Allied Universal Event Services 

Rainier Avenue Job Fair 

MORE INFO: To find additional job openings and events, go to WorkSource Workshops & Hiring Events or Port Jobs Hiring Events. 

NEW HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS 

WHEN: Open enrollment ends December 15, 2023. 

WHAT: Starting this November, everyone who lives in Washington state will have the opportunity to buy affordable health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, regardless of immigration status. You do  NOT need U.S. citizenship, a green card, or other immigration papers. Your information will not be used for immigration enforcement. 

MORE INFO: Go to Opening Health Insurance to Everyone! or Health Care Options for Immigrants. 

CASH FOR YOUR FAMILY: GET YOUR WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT 

WHEN: Apply by December 31, 2023 

WHAT: Washington state has already paid out more than $62 million to 84,000 individuals and families under the new Working Families Tax Credit. Individuals and families can receive up to $1,200 if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Applications will be accepted through the end of the year. 

Get help filing your application: 

You can also check on the status of your application using the using the “Where’s my Refund?” Tool. 

QUESTIONS? If you need additional help, call 360.763.7300 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, or visit one of 12 field offices.

FREE & LOW-COST VETERINARY CARE

WHEN: Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 11am

WHERE: Real Change News, 96 S Main St, Seattle, WA 98104 

WHAT: Seattle Veterinary Outreach and Washington Health Outreach provide veterinary care for free to people experiencing homelessness and at a reduced cost for people living on low incomes.

Veterinary care is provided on a first-come, first-served service. Pet owners are encouraged to arrive early to secure a place in line.

Services are reserved for those experiencing homelessness or living with a low income, which is verified at clinics. Pet owners should bring their SNAP, EBT, WIC, SSI, or TANF cards. Alternatively, a letter confirming that the pet owner is living in subsidized housing or receiving housing vouchers is also acceptable.

MORE INFO: Visit the Seattle Veterinary Outreach Clinic Calendar and Washington Health Outreach Schedule and Services.

FREE COLLEGE TUITION FOR SEATTLE STUDENTS 

WHEN: Applications are available now and due by Friday, February 16, 2024. 

WHAT: Seattle Promise is a college tuition and success program available to all graduating Seattle public high school students regardless of grade point average (GPA), income, ability, or country of birth.   

Under the Seattle Promise program, you may be eligible for: 

  • Free tuition at any of the Seattle Colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College or South Seattle College for up to two years, 90 college credits or a student’s first degree, whichever comes first. 
  • Equity scholarships, which provide flexible funding to students, for books, transportation, housing, etc. for those with financial need. 
  • Student support and advising beginning in the junior year of high school and lasting through completion of a degree, certificate, credential or transfer to a four-year institution. 

High school seniors planning to attend college in the fall of 2024 must apply to Seattle Promise and the college of their choice by February 16, 2024 

TO APPLY: Go to Fall 2024 Applications. 

MORE INFO: Download the Class of 2024 poster or the Get Started Bookmark. 

RENT SMART/¡INQUILINOS INTELIGENTES!

WHEN: English sessions are held twice monthly (once in November and December) on Wednesday afternoons. Spanish sessions are held monthly on Thursdays, 5:30-6:45pm.

WHERE: Zoom

WHAT: Virtual Renters’ Rights Webinar Series 

Rent Smart Webinars in English

¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! Talleres Virtuales en Español

NEED MORE HELP?

  • King County residents being threatened with eviction can contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 253.234.4204 or hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Washington State residents can visit Solid Ground’s For Tenants website for self-help information, or call Solid Ground’s Tenant Services Voice Message Line, 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1, currently open for messages Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30am – 1:30pm (hours and days are subject to change).

¿NECESITA MÁS AYUDA?

  • Si actualmente vive en el Condado de King y está siendo amenazado con el desalojo, comuníquese con el Proyecto de Justicia de Vivienda para obtener asistencia legal 253.234.4204 o hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Los Residentes del Estado de Washington pueden visitar el sitio web Para Inquilinos de Solid Ground para obtener información de autoayuda, o llamar a la línea mensajes de voz de servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground, 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1, cual es abierta los lunes o jueves de 10:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m. (las horas y los días están sujetos a cambios).

Rent Smart is offered in partnership with Solid Ground’s Tenant Services and the King County Library System (KCLS). / ¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! se ofrece en asociación con los Servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground y La Sistema Biblioteca del Condado de King (KCLS).

~JOBS WITH SOLID GROUND~

NEW WAGES FOR SOLID GROUND DRIVERS!

WHEN: Job fair every other Wednesday, 10am-3pm — Call ahead to confirm

WHERE: Solid Ground Transportation, 8100 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 

WHAT: Be a part of making life easier for those living with disabilities in our communities. Join our team of drivers who provide ACCESS bus services to people who can’t use Metro’s fixed-route system, helping people get to critically needed health and human services resources, and connecting people with their communities.  

Solid Ground Transportation offers: 

  • $22.87/hr (new rate!) with $2,000 Hiring Bonus
  • Flexible schedule
  • Part-time & full-time options
  • No CDL requirement
  • Paid training
  • Opportunities for long-term career growth beyond driving!
  • Full benefits (Paid Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401k Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, and Life Insurance)

TO APPLY NOW: Go to the Solid Ground Bus Operator job description and scroll down to How to Apply for application materials.

QUESTIONS? Call 206.694.6817 or email jobs@solid-ground.org. 

SOLID GROUND JOB BOARD

WHAT: Join the Solid Ground team and help us fight poverty and dismantle systems of oppression! We’re currently seeking candidates for these positions:

QUESTIONS? Learn more about Solid Ground and see other open positions on the Solid Ground Careers page.

~ONGOING COMMUNITY RESOURCES~

When you need help, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we put together lists of Ongoing Community Resources in King County for help with things like housing, food, childcare, transportation, employment, and more. Click on the topics below to jump to these ongoing resources posted on our Resource Wire webpage.

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