Letters to the editor for Dec. 29

Help Congress help homeless with renters credits

The Olympian’s Christmas Eve edition asks “Is Congress doing enough to help homeless in Thurston County?” emphasizing struggles within the “unsheltered” population even with some community progress. While Thurston County is to be commended for its successes, the 31 percent rise of average rents in the last 10 years might be a huge thorn that needs clipping for those caught in the downside of our housing situation.

The Olympian speaks to providing political pressure at the federal level in response to what we see daily about our community. Let’s consider financial resources by addressing the increased rent burden and how to insulate the most vulnerable from evictions, one of the major paths into homelessness.

A renters’ tax credit could help address the affordable housing crisis by capping the out-of-pocket rent and utilities expenses a low-income household would pay at around 30 percent of their income. The credit would cover any excess above that up to 100 percent of the community’s “Fair Market Rent.” Researchers at Columbia University estimate that a renters’ credit could lift over 9 million Americans above the poverty line. There have been bipartisan proposals to create a renters’ credit and to appropriately address the rights of landlords.

Adequate housing is as complicated as finding solutions. A renters’ tax credit can be part of the solutions. Political pressure comes from our using not only our vote, but expressing hopes and possibilities to our elected representatives. Let’s use our personal power during this dark time of the year.

Be a Santa to a Senior program served 46 in Thurston County

We at Home Instead Senior Care in Olympia would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in and contributed to the Be a Santa to a Senior campaign this holiday season. It means so much to our local seniors and helps make their holiday season special.

Be a Santa to a Senior trees were placed throughout the Olympia/Tumwater/Lacey area and community members donated socks, blankets, books, toiletries, candies and other requested items. Through this overwhelming generosity, 46 gifts were collected for 46 area seniors. We are grateful to all our volunteers and donors who helped brighten each senior’s holiday this year.

We would also like to thank our community partners who were instrumental in the success of this program, including Cutters Point Coffee, Grace Community Covenant Church, Regency Olympia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Puget Sound Healthcare Center.

Be a Santa to a Senior is a nationwide program that provides gifts and companionship to seniors. Home Instead Senior Care partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors for a visit and a gift because they might not receive one otherwise. Be a Santa to a Senior relies on volunteers who collect, wrap and deliver gifts. Since its inception in 2003, more than 60,000 volunteers have helped distribute 2.1 million gifts to more than 700,000 deserving seniors.

Again, thank you to all those who made this year’s Be a Santa to a Senior possible. To volunteer for next year’s program or more information, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 360-570-0049.