Phillips ensures Seattle’s human service priorities funded in 2008 King County Budget

Metropolitan King Council Councilmember Larry Phillips worked to include funding for his Seattle district’s human service priorities in the recently adopted 2008 King County Budget. The budget, which the Council passed unanimously on November 19, includes funding for programs serving low income residents, seniors, at-risk youth, immigrants, and the medically vulnerable.

“I worked to make sure the 2008 budget reflects the needs and priorities of the neighborhoods I represent,” said Phillips. “Many people in communities like Magnolia, Queen Anne, Belltown, Capitol Hill, and Ballard are very fortunate in their ability to make ends meet, but they have not lost sight of the vulnerable among us. My constituents have let me know that King County’s funding for the human services safety net is among their highest concerns.”

The King County budget funds programs for low income residents of Seattle and King County by supporting organizations that advocate for affordable housing and hunger relief. Organizations that received funding in 2008 budget are the Cascade Land Conservancy’s Affordable Housing Dialogues, the Crisis Clinic, Food Lifeline, and Solid Ground (formerly the Fremont Public Association).

Low income seniors in Council District 4 will benefit from 2008 funding of programs at the Ballard Northwest Senior Center, Elder Friends, and the Greenwood Senior Activity Center.

King County’s 2008 budget funds programs to support at-risk youth through contributions to the Casa Maria Montessori School at Ballard High School for non-violent communications training, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, the Pacific Science Center, ROOTS Young Adult Shelter, Crisis Clinic’s Teen Link suicide prevention program, and United Indians of All Tribes.

Immigrants in District 4 will receive services funded by the county’s 2008 budget and administered through Casa Latina, Hate Free Zone, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

King County’s 2008 budget also protects the medically vulnerable in District 4 with funding going to the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, the Hepatitis Education Project, Rosehedge AIDS Housing and Healthcare, and Sound Mental Health.

“The funds going to human services make up only a small fraction of King County’s overall budget, but these service organizations do a remarkable job of leveraging incredible value for those in need and for our larger community,” said Councilmember Phillips. “I was proud to advocate for this funding on behalf of my district, and I look forward to seeing it make a positive difference in citizens’ lives.”