Guest Blogger: Doug McKeehen, Program Manager at Michael’s Place

As a social service provider who used to be homeless myself, I’m really worried about what the state budget for this biennium could look like. I can’t believe that if the Senate gets its way, homelessness programs will be hobbled by losing more than half their current funding. Several years ago, the very programs that are at risk of being drastically cut or eliminated this year saved my own life. After years of employment in the construction field, I became unable to work due to increasing health issues and pain. I fell into a deep depression, and my attempts to self-medicate led me into severe drug and alcohol addiction. I ended up homeless and spent several months living on the streets or in the shelters.

Back then, as now, there was a social safety net in place. The safety net programs were absolutely essential to my ability to turn my life around. That assistance allowed me to get help for my physical disabilities and get medication and treatment for my depression. I was able to get counseling for my addiction issues. I eventually got accepted into a transitional housing facility where I could continue to work on my sobriety and become more stable. Eventually, I moved into subsidized permanent housing, where I became stable enough to once again become fully employed. Until I became employed, there was a small money grant that allowed me to take care of my most basic needs.

The cuts that have been proposed by the Senate this year will completely eliminate or drastically cut every single program that saved my life at every single step of my journey back to independence and health. Had these cuts happened ten years ago, I would probably not be alive today.

I’m profoundly grateful that these programs funded by the State of Washington were there to help me. That’s why I’ve told my legislators (and I’m going to tell them again) that I’m counting on them to make sure that the final budget adequately funds the Housing Trust Fund, Housing and Essential Needs program, Aged Blind and Disabled program, and other programs that meet people’s most basic needs. I let them know that these programs have saved lives, including mine, and that it is important to me that they continue to do so.

I hope you’ll join me in working to keep these priorities front and center in the state budget negotiations.

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Editor's Note:
You can join Doug in sending an essential message to your legislators before the clock runs out on this session. Click here to go to our TAKE ACTION page, and tell the legislature to invest in homes for low-income families and individuals and also to protect services that help people meet their most basic needs. Then send the link on to five of your friends, family, or co-workers. We must end this legislative session with an advocacy bang!