COVID-19 Update + Progress
Like many of you, The BLOCK Project and Facing Homelessness have been impacted these past months by COVID-19. Our team has been working from home except for the activities that we consider essential for the community we serve including, placing new residents into BLOCK Homes, supporting the well being of our current residents and distributing essential supplies to our neighbors living outside through our Window of Kindness. We are moving forward with BLOCK Home construction as well - see project updates below! We continue to monitor and adapt Covid-19 recommendations to keep our staff and community safe, while doing our best to continue to provide housing and basic services.
As an organization of housed people working in service to those living unsheltered, it's particularly important that we name our good fortune during this time, and lean into the gratitude of working from a HOME. As the world changes, some things remain the same, and we are once again reminded that when a crisis of any kind arrives, the most vulnerable are hit hardest. We’ve seen coronavirus disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous, racialized, and poor communities. We both fear for the safety and well-being of those most vulnerable, AND we trust in their resiliency, survival, and perseverance despite all odds.
We said it before; we support Black Lives Matter, and we are inspired by the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. Alicia Garza, who was instrumental in founding the Black Lives Matter Global Network said last Friday, “Movements eb and flow, but when we hold them close in our hearts they never go away.” At Facing Homelessness, we have been talking about a paradigm shift for some time. We are listening. We are learning. We are growing. We are committing to the pursuit of justice, even if we don’t fully understand what it will take to get us there. And while doing all of that, we are continuing to work towards our mission, and progressing the building of homes and communities for people experiencing homelessness.
AEC FUNDRAISER:
We made a “What is The BLOCK Project” brief video to spread our mission, in the absence of an in-person gathering for our annual fundraiser.
Together with the AEC community led by our Team Leaders, we raised $94,942 (and our goal was $50,000) to support all of our programs at Facing Homelessness in 2020!
HOSTS:
We are prioritizing the selection, matching, and move-in of residents into our completed homes
We have residents in 6 of the 8 completed BLOCK Homes right now and hope to have residents in 10 homes by the end of 2020
We are recruiting hosts for 2021! If you or someone you know could be interested in hosting a BLOCK Home in their backyard, let us know or fill out this form
RESIDENTS:
All our residents are hanging in there, like many of us, with a balance of highs and lows that we can call “normal” given the times. We have launched a Resident Companionship Program in which a few key volunteers reach out and connect with our residents regularly to provide companionship during these isolating times. We hope to expand this program in the future and bring more community connection to those we are serving.
Jenny, our BH-0003 resident, moved to BH-0004 in May, along with her beautiful daughter Ezri (pictured below). The South Seattle location works better for her transportation access to childcare, and her ability to attend welding school.
We have a new resident for BH-0007! Peter is amazing (photo coming soon) and has started moving in. He had this to share: "I'm originally from Wyoming but have spent most of my adult life in the Pacific Northwest. I love to hear about other people's stories and experiences, I'm always learning something new, and I enjoy playing games with friends, especially board games."
Don and Diane, hosts at BH-0007, shared photos that the landscaping is flourishing (thank you, Watershed Co.!)
The resident for BH-0008, Deborah, moved-in recently! One of the community-members crocheted a blanket for her as a welcome home gift (see photo below!) More than ever, we are grateful for these beautiful gestures.
CONSTRUCTION:
Field-work continues and we have opened up volunteer activities with strict precautions
Landscape work at BH-0009 is underway (designed by our friends at Berger Partnership) and will be the first LBC-certified BLOCK Home
We are making progress in our workshop, formally dubbed the BLOCK Shop! Team members Berns, Tomasz, and Barron have been working hard constructing jigs for panelizing the homes efficiently, in preparation of larger volunteer events.
Pending many variables outside our control, we are hoping to start construction on site in July/August for both BH-0010 and BH-0011
PARTNERSHIPS:
We have a new partner agency on board: Real Escape from Sex Trade (REST). We are excited to work with them and match eligible residents with BLOCK Homes! Other agencies we currently work with: Sound Health, Mary’s Place and Chief Seattle Club.
Domenico DiGregorio, President of Plumbers Without Borders, visited the BLOCK Shop to offer feedback on the newly stream-lined design, which he and others were instrumental in designing.
We have partnered with the Home Owners Club to ensure high quality and timely maintenance of the BLOCK Homes. HOC has also extended complimentary membership to our Hosts!
All of our sustainability partners are advancing Living Building Challenge documentation (FSi, Berger Partnership, Miller Hull, Nexus and Herrera.)
Deborah (BH-0008) received a hand-crocheted blanket from a caring community member.
Jenny (BH-0004 Resident) shared this photo of her beautiful daughter, Ezri!
BH-0009 (built by Nexus) is our first LBC BLOCK Home! Landscape construction continues.
BH-0007 in spring! Landscape design by Watershed Co.
Curved stair access at BH-0007; constructed by Lavrans Mathiesen
Construction at BH-0009
Pathway nearing completion at BH-0009
Tony (BH-0006 resident) and Doh (host) embrace at the move-in celebration
