Affordable housing helps our community thrive

Copy of letter sent to the City of Olympia on June 16, 2016 written on behalf of YWCA Olympia

YWCA Olympia is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women in our community. Increasing access to safe and affordable housing is critical to our organization's ability to effectively accomplish these incredibly important goals. Every day our staff and volunteers work with partners and participants in Olympia who absolutely rely upon affordable housing in order to thrive and live healthy lives in this community, and we believe that they all deserve to return to an affordable home at the end of the day. For many of the women and girls we serve, access to a safe and affordable home can, and often does, mean economic success, educational accomplishment, emotional health, and physical safety. The difference that a home can make in the lives of our program participants cannot be overstated.

We are asking you to help us to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen our community. These are the values at the center of our work and we believe that they are the values that should be centered by our city as well.

Please join us in our call for affordable housing in our community.

This story was originally published June 20, 2016 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Affordable housing helps our community thrive."