Introducing WA State Black Trans Task Force's "The House"

by Ebo Barton

Lavender Rights Project has joined the effort of organizations seeking to address the Two-Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender Diverse homelessness crisis in King County in the ways that best support their communities. Washington Black Trans Task Force's The House is a permanent supportive housing facility with wraparound services in partnership with Chief Seattle Club.

The facility will house 20 Black gender diverse individuals by providing private and indoor plumbing, 24-hour access to their home, kitchenette, and wraparound services that complement or intertwine with a community member's own chosen processes. A percentage of these units will be ADA accessible. This housing facility is the outcome of our participation with the Health through Housing Initiative. Health through Housing dedicates one-tenth of a cent of sales tax revenues in King County to purchase hotels, motels, and other multi-unit facilities for use as emergency and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness in King County. With the support and mentorship of our partners, Chief Seattle Club, we can open permanent supportive housing that is culturally relevant and embraces the diversity of our communities.

Periodically, you will hear updates from The House, where we are, and where we are going.

Recently, we officially became a Health through Housing Community Based Organization by King County. What this means is that we qualify for a multi-unit property acquired by King County. It's the first in many steps to this process, but we are very excited about what this could mean.

We have a focus now fulfilling our Target Registry as we wait on bureaucracy to do its thing. The registry contains items and products that would make our residents feel at home and secure. The great thing about this request is that the products' price ranges are broad, from $0.50 plastic dinner plates and bowls to our standard area couches at around $500, so any contribution is beneficial. If you'd like to take a look at our request list, please visit http://tgt.gifts/bttf. You'll be hearing more about how you can drop off items in person at one of the drop-off sites or ship items purchased online in the next couple of weeks, so please stay tuned to our social media channels.  

The central vision of The House is a housed, healthy, healing, and honored Black gender diverse community in King County. And while we have only scratched the surface of this vision, we are so excited to have started.