Learn at Lunch webinar archives
A Successful 2018 Legislative Session
June 20, 2018, noon-1pm
Advocacy made 2018 a historically successful year for affordable housing and efforts to end homelessness. So, what's next? Join special guest Representative Nicole Macri (LD 43) to hear about this year's legislative wins, and how you can get involved in our Listening Sessions that will shape the Housing Alliance’s 2019 legislative agenda.
Watch the Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
The Washington Housing Opportunities Act and Outlawing Source of Income Discrimination
June 27, 2018, noon-1pm
The game has changed (for the better!) when it comes to protecting tenants and expanding resources for services that prevent and end homelessness in Washington. Join Director of Policy and Advocacy Michele Thomas and Resident Action Project leader Mindy Woods for a deep dive into the new, permanent statewide funding source for homelessness, and the new law banning source of income discrimination.
Watch the Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Follow Up Questions and Answers from Webinar
Sample Move-In Checklist
Advocacy Wins in the 2018 Federal Budget
The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Senior Policy Analyst Elayne Weiss talks about how we went from proposed slashes to increased federal investments in affordable housing, and what to expect in 2019. Also learn more about how to get involved in the “Our Homes Our Voices” week of action!
Download Slides Here and Here
View Webinar Here
Foundational Community Supports Medicaid Benefit Implementation Update
March 28, 2018
An update on the implementation of the Foundational Community Supports Medicaid benefit that is part of Washington's Medicaid Transformation Demonstration (formerly known as the supportive housing services and supported employment services Medicaid benefits). Guest speakers include staff from the Washington State Health Care Authority, the Department of Social and Health Services, and Amerigroup Washington.
The Advocacy Skills You Need for the 2018 Legislative Session
January 4, 2018, Noon-1pm
Advocacy expert Nancy Amidei compares advocacy to your favorite Jazzercise routine; you can never get enough practice and there is always a higher level to make you sweat! Nancy will get us warmed up for the 2018 legislative session with tips on key advocacy tactics like calling the Legislative Hotline, meeting with lawmakers, and delivering testimony on a bill. Bring your own sweatbands and water bottles!
Participants are encouraged to watch a recording of the October 18 webinar titled, “The 2018 Legislative Agenda and Political Landscape,” before joining this webinar. (link will be available Oct 19).
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Effectively Communicating Affordable Housing and Homelessness Policy Priorities
November 29, 12:30pm-1:30pm
The Housing Alliance is working to pass a comprehensive set of policies to expand access to affordable homes and reduce homelessness during the 2018 state legislative session. Join this webinar to learn how to craft a persuasive advocacy message and communicate effectively with lawmakers in order to pass these priorities. Communication is a key part of advocacy, and this training will cover common pitfalls to avoid and communication tips that you can use in your legislative advocacy.
Participants are encouraged to watch a recording of the October 18 webinar titled, “The 2018 Legislative Agenda and Political Landscape,” before joining this webinar. (link will be available Oct 19).
Watch Recording Here
Download Slides Here
2018 Legislative Agenda and Political Landscape
October 18, Noon-1pm
Housing Alliance Policy and Advocacy Director Michele Thomas reviews vital affordable housing and homelessness policy and budget priorities in the 2018 legislative session, and how our strategy to advance these priorities will be shaped by the results of the November 2017 General Election. For a refresher on our policy priorities from last year, check out this webinar.
Watch Recording Here
Download Slides Here
Additional fact sheets:
- Drivers of homelessness fact sheet
- Key talking points on 2018 legislative priorities
- Housing Trust Fund statewide investments
Seattle's Fair Chance Housing Ordinance
August 9 2017 9am-10am
Presenters: Erika Pablo, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, Teresa Clark, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Understanding the history, goals, and details of Seattle's Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, including ammendments and progress as of Aug 9.
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Special Session Advocacy
May 4, 2017 Noon-1pm
Presenters: Dimitri Groce, and Michele Thomas, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Dimitiri and Michele review the awesome advocacy work from the regular legislative sessioin, give an overview where housing and homelessness priorities are in Olympia, and tell you how to be the most effective advocate during special session(s).
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Left, Right, and Center: Advocating Effectively Across the Political Spectrum
March 29, Noon-1pm
Presenters: Kate Baber, Homelessness Policy and Advocacy Specialist
Kate explains strategies for advocating effectively with elected officials at the state level, whether those officials agree or disagree with you on any given issue.
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
After Cutoff
Mar 15, 2017 Noon - 1pm
Presenter: Michele Thomas, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
March 8 is the deadline for bills to be voted out of their house of origin, AKA cutoff. Join Michele after cutoff for a rundown of which housing and homelessness bills are dead, which are still alive, and what to expect for the remainder of the legislative session.
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Federal Policy Update
Feb 22, 2017 Noon – 1pm
Presenters: Sarah Mickelson, Director of Policy, and Joseph Lindstrom, Senior Organizer for Housing Advocacy, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Join us to learn more about threats to federal affordable housing programs and how you can help protect these critical resources. Sarah and Joey from the National Low Income Housing Coalition will give an update on where things stand in Congress and how you can make a difference.
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Raising Revenue in Washington
Feb 8, 2017 Noon-1pm
Presenters: Sumayyah Waheed, Director, All in For WA, and Kelli Smith, Fiscal Policy Associate, Washington State Budget & Policy Center
As lawmakers debate how to adequately invest in schools, what are the options that support not just schools but housing, clean air, and all the foundations of a thriving state? Kelli Smith and Sumayyah Waheed from the Washington State Budget & Policy Center will share proposals to clean up the tax code so that we have more resources to invest in all Washington communities.
View Webinar Here
Slides Coming Soon
Overview of the Legislative Process
Feb 1, 2017 Noon - 1pm
Presenter: Kate Baber, Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Join Kate for an inside look at how our budget and policy priorities advance through the legislative process. Learn why we take action when we do, and how to take advantage of the tools on the state legislature’s website to track bill progress and more.
View Webinar Here
Download Slides Here
Board Advocacy Spotlight: Understanding Local Impact of the Housing Trust Fund and Document Recording Fees
Wed. Dec 21, 2016 Noon - 1pm
The Housing Alliance's top advocacy priorities for 2017 include expanding the Housing Trust Fund, protecting and expanding homelessness funding, and protecting tenants from source of income discrimination. As board members, we have the power and the responsibility to address need, and implement smart solutions in our communities. Join us to understand the impacts of statewide policy and learn how to use the political narrative to strengthen your advocacy and build a movement.
This session is developed with board advocacy in mind, but advocates from all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to participate.
View webinar here
Download slides here
After the Election: An Overview of our 2017 Advocacy Landscape
Wed. Nov 30, 2016 Noon - 1pm
After a few solid weeks to decompress from a high-stakes election season, we will provide an analysis of the 2017 state-level election outcomes and what they mean for the paths forward on our priority policies in the legislature.
View webinar here
Download slides here
Policy Priorities for the 2017 Legislative Session
Wed. Oct 26, 2016 Noon - 1pm
Join us for an overview of our 2017 lead agenda, where we will review policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session - including plenty of useful background info and tips on how you can be an effective advocate for housing and homelessness policies.
View webinar here
Download slides here
Combating the Criminalization of Homelessness
Wed August 24, 2016
Learn how to use our Toolkit, articulate the harm that criminalization policies cause, and educate lawmakers on the alternatives.
Presenters:
- Kirk McClain, Capitol Hill Housing
- Teresa Clark, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Watch the webinar
Explore the Toolkit
Interim Advocacy on Document Recording Fees and the Housing Trust Fund
Thurs June 16, 2016
Many affordable housing and homelessness issues can arise during the legislative session, and the interim period between sessions (right now) is a perfect time to give legislators the background they need to make smart policy decisions next year. On this webinar, we will provide an overview of the Document Recording Fees and the Housing Trust Fund, break down the critical roles they play in ensuring adequate funding for affordable housing and homelessness services, and offer ways for you to educate your lawmakers.
Presenters:
- Michele Thomas, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- Kate Baber, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Resources:
- Watch the video recording
- Download the Powerpoint slides
- 2015 Housing Trust Fund award summary
- Advocacy Checklist: Document Recording Fees and Housing Trust Fund
- Capital Budget overview
- History of Document Recording Fees
- Homeless Funding Cliff: County by County Impact
Removing unfair eviction records from tenant screening reports
Thurs May 26, 2016
One of our hard-fought victories this past legislative session, the passage of Senate Bill 6413 by Senator Mark Mullet, creates groundbreaking new opportunities for tenants to remove unfair eviction records from their tenant screening reports. This opens up housing opportunities for many tenants currently being denied housing due to eviction records, including those who have won in court. Join this webinar to learn more about the accomplishment and how tenants and service providers can utilize the “limited dissemination” option to remove or prevent certain evictions from being included in reports.
Presenters:
- Eric Dunn from Northwest Justice Project
- Michele Thomas from Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Resources:
HB 2263 and Your Community's Efforts to Fund Affordable Housing, Plus 2016 Legislative Agenda Preview
Wednesday, September 23 2015 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Earlier this year, powerful advocacy led to the passage of HB 2263, giving communites a new option to put a local sales tax on the ballot as a wat to fund affordable housing and mental health facilities and services. Find out how it works, and what it means for your community. Plus, get a preview of our 2016 legislative agenda!
Presenters
- Ben Miksch, Affordable Housing Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Housing Alliance
Resources
Engaging in Interim Advocacy in 2015
Thursday, August 20 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm
The legislative session is over, and that means we get to change up the pace and take a little bit more time with legislators. Affordable housing and homelessness issues can be complex, and the interim period between legislative sessions is a perfect time to give legislators the background they need in order to understand how best to help ensure that everyone in our state can have the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, affordable home that is part of a thriving community.
Presenters
- Ben Miksch, Affordable Housing Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Housing Alliance
Resources
Homeless Youth & Young Adult Legislative Outcomes
Wednesday, May 20 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
The 2015 Legislative Session was an exciting time for our state’s efforts to address youth and young adult homelessness. There’s a lot to talk about! These passed: Homeless Youth Act, Extended Foster Care, and the Youth Equality & Reintegration (YEAR) Act. And these are still in play: the Washington Youth & Families Fund and the Homeless Student Stability Act. Join folks from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington Coalition for Homeless Youth Advocacy for a webinar that will bring you up to speed with what happened so far, what’s likely to happen next, and what we can do to build on these victories.
Presenters
- Erin Shea McCann, Public Policy & Communications Manager, Mockingbird Society
- Tedd Kelleher, Managing Director of the Housing Assistance Unit, Washington State Department of Commerce
- Laurie Lippold, Director of Public Policy, Partners For Our Children
- Robin Koskey, Policy Specialist, Building Changes
- Katara Jordan, Staff Attorney in the Children and Youth Project, Columbia Legal Services
Resources
Extended Foster Care One-pager
Homeless Student Stability Act One-pager
Homeless Youth Prevention & Protection Act One-pager
Slideshow Presentation PDF
Youth Equality & Reintegration (YEAR) Act One-pager
2015 Session Wrap-Up!
Wednesday, April 29, from noon to 1:00pm
Wondering what the heck happened during the regular session? Wondering what the scoop is on what still needs to get done? This webinar was a debrief and review of the highlights from the 2015 regular legislative session. Hear what bills made it to become laws, what bills died along the way, and how we can prepare to influence the next steps in legislative process.
Presenters
- Director of Policy & Advocacy Michele Thomas
- Government Affairs Consultant Nick Federici
- Affordable Housing Policy and Advocacy Specialist Ben Miksch
Results of the Washington State Affordable Housing Needs Study
(Presented with our partners at the Department of Commerce and the Governor's Affordable Housing Advisory Board.)
Wednesday, February 4, from noon to 1:00pm
This webinar, presented in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the Governor’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, will explore exactly what is in the report and what the findings mean for our efforts to ensure that everyone in Washington has the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, affordable home.
Presenters
- Faith Li Pettis, Chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Tedd Kelleher, Managing Director of the Housing Assistance Unit, Washington State Department of Commerce
- Lisa Vatske, Division Director, Multifamily Housing and Community Facilities Division, Washington State Housing Finance Commission
Resources
Washington State Housing Needs Assessment - 2015
Slideshow Presentation PDF (Commerce)
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda
Social Media 101 Video Hangout
Tuesday, January 27, 10:30-11:30am
Firesteel and the Seattle University Project on Family Homelessness joined up with us to for this free training session for individuals who want to learn the basics of social media and use these tools to advocate online for affordable housing issues. The session will help you understand and use social media sites and apps like Twitter and Facebook and show you how to join with organizations to be an online housing advocate.
Resources
Slideshow Presentation PDF (Housing Alliance)
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda
Housing & Homelessness Priorities & Talking Points
Tuesday, January 8, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Housing Alliance policy and communications staffers take you through:
- Our 2015 lead policy agenda.
- Latest updates on committee assignments, bill sponsorships, and the budget.
- Talking points for each of our agenda items.
Our community organizing and policy teams got together for this Learn at Lunch webinar about the different ways you can engage in advocacy this session, (Housing and Homelessness Advocacy day, testifying in Olympia, action alerts, and more). Discover all the helpful resources we offer to help you become a super-advocate rockstars, such as issue one-pagers, talking point lists, and policy updates.
Resources
Slideshow Presentation PDF
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda
Housing & Homelessness Priorities & Talking Points
Thursday, January 8, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Housing Alliance policy and communications staffers take you through:
- Our 2015 lead policy agenda.
- Latest updates on committee assignments, bill sponsorships, and the budget.
- Talking points for each of our agenda items.
This is a high-level, deep-dive into our state legislative work for this session.
Resources
Slideshow Presentation PDF
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda
2015 Tenant Issues In-depth
Friday, December 19, 1:00 - 2:00pm
A deep-dive into the three major pieces of tenant legislation on our 2015 advocacy agenda: the Fair Tenant Screening Act, the Truth in Evictions Reporting Act, and Protection from Source of Income Discrimination.
Northwest Justice Project Staff Attorney Eric Dunn will be joining the webinar to walk attendees through what actually happens to tenants in eviction court and how these legislative proposals could improve those outcomes.
Resources
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda
The Housing Trust Fund In-depth
Wednesday, December 10, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Over the past 25 years, Washington State's capital investments in affordable housing (made through the Housing Trust Fund) have played a central role in efforts to ensure that everyone has a safe, healthy, affordable home in a thriving community.
Join Housing Alliance's Michele Thomas and Ben Miksch and special guest Representative June Robinson to hear about how the projected $4.5 billion state budget shortfall might negatively impact investments in affordable homes. We'll also talk about what advocates like you can do to help.
Resources
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda - Housing Trust Fund
2015 Legislative Session Preview
Monday, November 24, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
This webinar features Housing Alliance all-stars Director of Policy & Advocacy Michele Thomas, Lobbyist Nick Federici, and Field Director Brianna Thomas. They will provide a recap of what happened in the recent election, the political and budget landscapes, and an introduction to the Housing Alliance's 2015 Housing & Homelessness Legislative Agenda.
Note: Due to technical difficulties, the first third of the webinar is missing. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Resources
2015 State Legislative Advocacy Agenda