Letter to the Editor: Forum will address affordable housing for special needs community

On Aug. 6, Marion McBride, the regional director for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will be at Vashon Community Care to discuss funds available for housing our special needs community. (Watch for an article announcing the details of that meeting.)

For Islanders interested in this, I have reserved the meeting room at the Vashon Library for 7 p.m. July 29, to get organized before the HUD meeting. We can meet and discuss what it is we want and need here on Vashon. If we can show enough need, and enough support (caregivers, volunteers, grant writers, ?) the greater the chance we’ll get some help. I have a personal vision for a wonderful adult family home. Included in that vision would be nutrition and cooking classes, organic gardens, money management and art classes, etc. Please come and share your needs, stories, dreams or ideas, so we have a better idea of what it is we want and should ask of HUD. HUD will be more encouraged to work with us, if we can show them there is a need and support available. Currently, there are no adult family homes or group homes for young, disabled adults. This would provide housing for them, while maintaining a high quality of life as well as the relative security of the Island. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 463-2540.

I hope as many folks as possible can attend. Please call me if you’re interested but can’t attend the meetings — I’ll do my best to represent you.

— Sally Ammon