HomesNOW! Not Later is a group of volunteers working together to provide homes and shelter for the homeless in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Click here to check out our Events.
A Call to Action
HomesNOW! has a plan that is very simple. The plan is just to go from Point A to Point B. Build tiny homes and start putting people in them right away. What we need is to raise money for the first 2 homes. We need about $5000, not much when you consider that this is going to take two people off the streets and reduce the number of homeless in Whatcom County.
IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A REALITY, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO HELP. We are a 501c3 so your donations are tax deductible. GoFundMe Link To Donate: |
Latest Videos
HomesNOW! – News Feed
If anyone wants to help do donation collections; this is the list of what we could use for the next monthly Summit (end of July).
I have thought of a few ways to collect donations that may be easier or more fun Unifor some interested:
* Pick a size and find a few people around that size and see if you can get a few items in that size (ie: shorts, shirts, pants, etc).
* Ask a store that gets a lot of foot traffic to put a donation bin in their establishment and ask for 1 or 2 items specifically (ie: T-shirts and shorts). I can get you signs for a bin.
* Collect anything you can that is on the list.
* Have a clothing or supply drive at your place of work
Items needed (by order of what is needed most)
Sleeping bags
Backpacks
Tents
Unisex Jeans: Sizes 28, 29, 30, 32 and 34 (waist size)
Womens Jeans: Sizes 7 and up
Summer socks: Both sexes. Ankle high and regular
Womens Shorts: All sizes
Mens Shorts: All sizes
T-shirts: All sizes unisex including xxl and xxxl (Charla, )
Womens Leggins: All sizes
Sun Hats: Ballcaps or floppy hats
Mens Sleeveless shirts: All sizes
Womens Sleeveless shirts: All sizes
New Underwear and socks: Both sexes all sizes (for those taking showers in our new Mobile Shower Truck)
Unisex Jeans: Sizes 36-46 (waist size)
Summer dresses: All sizes
Summer skirts: All sizes
Wide Tooth Combs
If you can help, please PM me (Amy Glasser) and if you can't, thanks for your support in all the other ways you help. As I get volunteers I will post their first name next to the item so you know if something already is being gotten. More than 1 person can do each item. THANKS again.
Whatcom County Passes Emergency Ordinance (With HomesNOW Tweaks)
HomesNOW goes to Whatcom County Council to speak out on a new ordinance involving temporary encampments and tiny homes. Over the course of a few months HomesNOW negotiated changes or tweaks to the ordinance to make it a better ordinance.
Some notable changes:
1. Unlike the City of Bellingham's ordinance, this ordinance took out the provision requiring a "Sight Obscuring" fence, the requirement for a fence is still in there, but doesn't have to be sight obscuring.
2. When it comes to collecting information of residents and those who visit and encampment, instead of having to call the police and report all the names, the police can request the list of names to do checks for Warrants or Sex offender registry.
3. When it comes to the provision about somebody needing to be on staff 24 hours a day for the encampment, it's been changed so that there needs to be a phone contact 24 hours a day. Meaning that somebody is always ON CALL, but not necessarily ON DUTY if not necessary.
4. The current version of the ordinance allows for a 90 day temporary encampment, with a hard cap on ONE 90 day extension. HomesNOW requested that instead of one extension, they could have the ability to perpetually extend. We have reassurances that this will make it into the final ordinance. They want to have separate language for specifically adding tiny homes to the ordinance and make that area able to be perpetually extended, while leaving it for 90 days on tents. We'll see what happens and if this pans out when the interim ordinance is passed (the next vote to make this ordinance more permanent).
General Planning document, similar to business plan:
homesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HomesNOW-General-Plan.pdf
Bellingham Municipal Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/Bellingham/
Whatcom County Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/
Website:
HomesNOW.Org
Facebook:
facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater
YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsy8m39etRS5lrQLQ17rpQ
Twitter:
twitter.com/homesnowbham
GoFundMe (One Time Donations):
gofundme.com/2n7ur74f
PayPal (alternate method of One Time and Monthly Donations):
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BHU7QFJPDBDMW
Patreon (Monthly Donations):
www.patreon.com/homesnow/
Hashtags:
#HomesNOWNotLater
Having lived in tents and coming from a tradition that not so many generations ago was mainly nomadic - I totally understand, from a health perspective, why you wouldn't want a =tent= encampment to be permanent year-round. Varmints (rats, etc) will settle in. Certain diseases can infect the soil. (Tiny homes are different) So here is an idea: have a dry season tent camp and a wet season tent camp. Get the language in the bill changed to "months" not days. Six months for each camp. If tent people know that "Summer Camp" runs May 1 -Oct 31 at one location and "Winter Camp" runs Nov 1 - April 30 at another location... it would put some certainty in their lives. It would allow for a thorough clean up of a campsite during the off season. It would be healthier for the land the camp is on. Just a thought.
2 days ago · 4HomesNOW goes to Bellingham City Council - 06-19-2018
Homes now and community supporters speak out at Bellingham City Council.
HomesNow. Not Later.Damn. The Mayor is just not listening. She says there would still be as many calls to police if the homeless we're not all in 1 place. She is just wrong. Small programs are the only way to go.
15 hours agoHomesNow. Not Later.Sorry. Fuck the Mayor. The Mission does not have a Shower Van. That is us, HomesNOW that built a shower truck in less than 6 weeks. Not the Mission.
15 hours ago
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a HOMES NOW! BELLINGHAM.
If you are not a member of this group please join now
HOMES NOW! BELLINGHAM
HomesNow. Not Later. shared their Showers Now Not Later!.
HomesNow. Not Later.
This video goes over the construction of the HomesNOW shower truck! General Planning document, similar to business plan: homesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HomesNOW-General-Plan.pdf Bellingham Municipal Code: www.codepublishing.com/WA/Bellingham/ Whatcom County Code: www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/ Website: HomesNOW.Org Facebook: facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsy8m39etRS5lrQLQ17rpQ Twitter: twitter.com/homesnowbham GoFundMe (One Time Donations): gofundme.com/2n7ur74f PayPal (alternate method of One Time and Monthly Donations): www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BHU7QFJPDBDMW Patreon (Monthly Donations): www.patreon.com/homesnow/ Hashtags: #HomesNOWNotLater
Homelessness in Bellingham WA
Individuals who previously experienced homelessness and people experiencing homelessness share their opinions about the services available to them and difficulties associated with the state of homelessness in Whatcom County.
Authorities on the topic explain how it will take a community to solve this complex issue and correct the public’s perception. Western Washington University students Dan Thomas and Nic Ulmer interviewed numerous individuals from all walks of life to frame the topic of homelessness in a new and meaningful way.
General Planning document, similar to business plan:
homesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HomesNOW-General-Plan.pdf
Bellingham Municipal Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/Bellingham/
Whatcom County Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/
Website:
HomesNOW.Org
Facebook:
facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater
YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsy8m39etRS5lrQLQ17rpQ
Twitter:
twitter.com/homesnowbham
GoFundMe (One Time Donations):
gofundme.com/2n7ur74f
PayPal (alternate method of One Time and Monthly Donations):
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BHU7QFJPDBDMW
Patreon (Monthly Donations):
www.patreon.com/homesnow/
Hashtags:
#HomesNOWNotLater
This sounds good/reasonable, but it leaves out an important component that can make a HUGE difference in people's perception of the homeless challenge...The problem of folks who have experienced homelessness are not educated/informed about what it takes to be a 'good' renter...When they go into someone's home/investment and treat it carelessly/disrespectfully and create a toxic environment due to thinking it is/should be acceptable to do/live whatever way they want, regardless of the cost to the owner. If those who want to receive shelter would have to take a short informative class(?) in how to be a respectful renter, and receive a certificate to show a homeowner that they have made an effort to enter into a responsible relationship, I'd think this could affect the challenge in a positive way! Would the Opportunity Council, or The Lighthouse Mission, or Interfaith Coalition, (any group of agencies) work together on this? As a homeowner with space to share, I have taken in a homeless 'family', a woman from the HEN program in the past, and have compassion for those needing shelter, but they ended up costing me more than they paid, in damages and mental aggravation, so I am NOT willing/able to jeopardize my own home/property by sharing with anyone who isn't prepared/willing to realize they need to be part of supporting the shelter we share and rely on!!! For me, this is the 'elephant-in-the-room' that NO ONE seems aware of OR willing to address, but I don't foresee much changing in this situation UNTIL it is dealt with!!! Thanks for listening/considering a homeowner's viewpoint/experience~
4 days ago · 2Showers Now Not Later!
This video goes over the construction of the HomesNOW shower truck!
General Planning document, similar to business plan:
homesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HomesNOW-General-Plan.pdf
Bellingham Municipal Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/Bellingham/
Whatcom County Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/
Website:
HomesNOW.Org
Facebook:
facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater
YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsy8m39etRS5lrQLQ17rpQ
Twitter:
twitter.com/homesnowbham
GoFundMe (One Time Donations):
gofundme.com/2n7ur74f
PayPal (alternate method of One Time and Monthly Donations):
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BHU7QFJPDBDMW
Patreon (Monthly Donations):
www.patreon.com/homesnow/
Hashtags:
#HomesNOWNotLater
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a post.
#showerNOW ! Update ! Thank you Mount Baker Care Center for being an integral part of caring for our neighbors! <3 Means so much to us at Homes NOW!
PLEASE take a moment to "shower" gratitude 🙂 to Mount Baker Care Center for helping us by providing towel services! Thanks Mount Baker Care Center! xoxo www.facebook.com/mtbakercarecenter/
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a #ShowersNow !.
Keep up with shower truck news and events by joining our #showersNOW group page too! We will shower you with LOVE! 🙂 <3 <3 <3 www.facebook.com/groups/1976589315747699/
HRAP looked into laws in 64 Washington cities and found 121 ordinances that prohibit or restrict begging. Violating many of these ordinances can saddle a person with a misdemeanor, forcing poor and disadvantaged people into the criminal justice system.
Students requested public records from 11 cities to see how the laws were being enforced.
Only Marysville and Lakewood provided evidence showing that they had cited people for violating begging laws in the past five years. In Lakewood, all people found guilty received 90-day jail sentences. Sixty percent of people found guilty for begging in restricted areas also received a fine ranging from $300 to $500.
Anti-begging ordinances come in various styles that HRAP says may violate the First Amendment because they restrict content-based speech. Others outlaw “aggressive” begging, but fail to define “aggressive,” leaving that to the subjective interpretation of the complainant.
Rankin and her team recognize that there is still more work to do, and that in many cases the DIY guides are jumping off points that raise more questions that need to be answered.
realchangenews.org/2018/05/09/homeless-rights-advocacy-project-releases-six-studies-solutions-hom...
Homeless Rights Advocacy Project releases six studies on solutions to homelessness | Real Change
realchangenews.org
Seattle University’s Homeless Rights Advocacy Project (HRAP) dropped a series of reports that aim to provide advocates, homeless people and policymakers with a suite of tools and legal thinking around solutions to the region’s homelessness crisis.
HomesNow. Not Later. shared Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project's photo.
Older article from 2016 worth repeating!
COVER STORY: "We have a very specific, deep-rooted fear and disgust that we’ve reserved for poverty and that I believe is frequently codified in our laws and policies." - Sara Rankin, an associate professor at Seattle University. She founded the Homeless Rights Advocacy Project (HRAP), a group that looks into the myriad ways in which society violates the rights of homeless and low-income people. Read her Q&A in this week's issue. Seattle University
Not to be a downer, but we have got to do better... Seattle... 🙁
Homeless man probably crushed to death after sleeping in recycling container
seattletimes.com
Jay F. Parker, 54, a carpenter from New Hampshire, was found among refuse in Cascade Recycling Center, in the area where incoming material is sorted.
HomesNow. Not Later. shared Upworthy Presents's The Tiny (Toilet) Home Project.
Upworthy Presents
Homelessness is a huge problem in the U.S., even among college students. This man may have invented a really good solution to the problem.
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a link.
Laziness Does Not Exist – E Price – Medium
medium.com
Psychological research is clear: when people procrastinate, there's usually a good reason
HomesNOW would like to thank Whatcom County Council member Barbara Brenner, as well as Whatcom County planning director Mark Personius for taking the time to come out and look at the tiny homes that HomesNOW has built on Lummi.
We have been discussing changes to the county's draft ordinance around temporary encampments.
For those who would like to read the ordinance, please let us know if you can think of something that needs to be improved or added to the ordinance. We need as many people as possible to be at the Whatcom County Council meeting on Tuesday June 19th. Here's a copy of the ordinance for your own reading:
www.dropbox.com/s/bt1i71elfq8uwtb/Whatcom%20County%20Draft%20Ordinance%20with%20proposed%20change...
It was also good to meet the new manager at Stepping Stones, Chris. Thanks for taking the time!
HomesNow. Not Later.Awesome!!
1 week agoHomesNow. Not Later.Dena Louise
1 week ago · 1HomesNow. Not Later.Ok guys this is an important one. The county is voting on an ordinance relating to temporary encampments. This includes tents as well as tiny homes. www.facebook.com/events/611825029190228/ HomesNOW has been working with the county on the ordinance to make it as effective as possible within the framework of the restrictions of Washington State law. Here is a link to the ordinance. If you have any suggestions for the ordinance, please let us know: www.dropbox.com/s/bt1i71elfq8uwtb/Whatcom%20County%20Draft%20Ordinance%20with%20proposed%20change... The date of the Whatcom County Council meeting for this is Tuesday the 19th at 6:30PM. Here is the link to the event. Please share it and make sure to be there, we need your support! Thank you! www.facebook.com/events/611825029190228/
1 week ago · 4
HomesNow. Not Later.When the Tiny Home Pilot Project begins, I would love to see these on the top of some roofs.
1 week agoLooking for Shower Truck Volunteers beginning this weekend! jc@homesnow.org
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a post.
Homes NOW! Volunteer Opportunities
WE NEED YOU!
Please SHARE this post!
Thank you!
July 20th from 9AM - 4PM Please mark your calendars in advance for this day so that you may have the opportunity to help with an awesome community effort here in Bellingham, WA this summer! Homes NOW will be there with the Shower Truck! Please consider volunteering! WE NEED YOU! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Volunteer homesnow.org/volunteer/ www.unitedwaywhatcom.org/project-homeless-connect
host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/one-year-in-madison-s-village-of-tiny-houses-wins/article_6d1a54c...
One year in, Madison's village of tiny houses wins over many neighborhood critics
host.madison.com
A review of housing assessments, home sales and police calls find no evidence so far of the dire consequences some opponents predicted.
i did the numbers to figure out how much water we would be asking people to donate to keep the Shower Truck full. 300 gallons fills the whole tank. A days worth of showers is about 150 gallons (22 people). An average household uses about 1800 gallons per person per month. I checked my water bill and Sonny and I use about 2250 gallons per month which equals 1125 per person. Well under the 1800 average.
We can clearly donate a tank of water a month with electricity without noticing it.
Please join me in being part of a rotation to keep the truck happy. This is if the city or county refuses to offer it to us for free.
Having a few people available (in Bellingham) would really take some pressure off.
HomesNow. Not Later.I am asking owners of stand alone stores (pot stores for now) to be in the rotation. If you know of any store owners, please ask. Just in Bellingham.
2 weeks ago · 2HomesNow. Not Later.I think I have another pot store to be part of the rotation.
2 weeks agoIs anybody in the area of Brotha Dude's today? We have donation bin that needs to be picked up sometime. THANKS!
-Doug
HomesNow. Not Later.I will do this. Thanks. It was empty the last time I looked.
2 weeks agoWhatcom County Council on Homelessness and HomesNOW - 06-05-2018
Whatcom County Council discusses HomesNOW and Homelessness and prospects for finding land for Tiny Homes.
General Planning document, similar to business plan:
homesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HomesNOW-General-Plan.pdf
Bellingham Municipal Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/Bellingham/
Whatcom County Code:
www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/
Website:
HomesNOW.Org
Facebook:
facebook.com/HomesNowNotLater
YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsy8m39etRS5lrQLQ17rpQ
Twitter:
twitter.com/homesnowbham
GoFundMe (One Time Donations):
gofundme.com/2n7ur74f
PayPal (alternate method of One Time and Monthly Donations):
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BHU7QFJPDBDMW
Patreon (Monthly Donations):
www.patreon.com/homesnow/
Hashtags:
#HomesNOWNotLater
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3LEqP08w0k
Whatcom County Council on Homelessness and HomesNOW - 06-05-2018
Whatcom County Council discusses HomesNOW and Homelessness and prospects for finding land for Tiny Homes. General Planning document, similar to business plan...
www.kgw.com/article/news/local/marion-county/aclu-video-of-oregon-deputy-punching-homeless-man-di...
ACLU: Video of Oregon deputy punching homeless man 'disturbing', 'violent'
kgw.com
A Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy can be seen repeatedly punching a local transient during an arrest Monday in Detroit, Oregon.
I promised a woman with 3 adults, a tall teen, another child and a dog a tent. I am having a brain fart. Anyone know of the person I am talking about?
A few shout-outs to some wonderful stores that have helped HomesNOW
Value Village: There is no way we could have provided clothes and gear to hundreds of people who are experiencing homelessness with your thousands of dollars in donations. Thanks Danielle for making this happen.
Goodwill for a at least 65 pairs of new underwear for our new Shower Truck.
Salvation Army to Ellis for saving us a number of times when we were out of sleeping bags.
And to all the stores with donation bins: Herbal Legends, Brotha Dudes, 112 Ohio Street Workstudios, Velvet Rope Hair Salon and Northwest Behavioral.
And to all the other individual and groups who have provided those without homes the needed supplies to live; we thanks you so much.
Stay safe and laugh as much as you can every day.
With your help, I think we only lost 1 man, TJ to exposure. Still 1 too many but maybe next winter nobody will die.
Amy and everyone at HomesNOW.
Richard May shared a The Beautiful Way One City Is Helping the Homeless to HomesNow. Not Later.'s timeline.
BEST Austin
www.facebook.com/BESTAustinBestProducts/videos/2137967459772397/
This tiny home village in Austin is giving homeless people a purpose. bit.ly/2FBxNcp
HomesNow. Not Later.I think most other cities are looking to all options vs. our city that wants to have a 200 bed shelter with a group that doesn't go by the Housing First model to apartments. Nothing for in between.
3 weeks agoOr these.
countyoffice.org
Find Whatcom County Washington RV parks. RV parks provide information about trailer parks and rentals, campgrounds, rving, camping sites, beach campgrounds, Coachmen and Gulfstream RV resorts, and shows.
I wish we could take over one of these.
42 Manufactured and Mobile Home Communities near Whatcom, WA
mhvillage.com
Mobile and Manufactured Home Communities in Whatcom with Details, Photos, and Homes For Sale. Page 1
After seeing a bit of News I was working in the yard. I kept thinking of the homeless. The woman Channel 5 interviewed affected me and I think the reporter as well. I could cry. This is a huge matter and I care about it. For one thing I want to carry more snacks etc in our care to give to people and I do stop and
shake hands or hug.
This may be the hardest ask I have had in a long time. Today is the last day to go online to sign up and pay to be a Whatcom Democrat. I ask only because the old Dems want Richey as the new prosecutor and will plan to bring a lot of people vto to the endorsement meeting on the 11th of June. He is 2nd in command to our current prosecutor, the horrible McEachran.
On the other side is Erb who really wants to change the system for the homeless, poor and disabled.
Please consider going to whatcomdems site, hold your breath and do it. He is the only hope for changing the legal system in Whatcom county.
If you are a paid member, then come to the meeting. I am pretty sure it is on the 11th of June but I will update.
Please share privately with friends who care about the homeless. We don't want the other side to know we are rallying for Erb.
here's the link to pay dues and become a member: secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/whatcomdemsmembership
3 weeks ago · 1democrat? how about not ask anyone to join any politcal side.. and to just to support and vote the way u want. i disagree with this post 100%.. don't ever ask me to join a political side because that is the reason we cant get anything fixed.. we need people to unite under a reason not a politcal side.. if all we can see is we all republican or democrat then i wouldent really help imo.. this is about homeless.. what do u need us to do.. and no that does not require me to be a democrat.. that requires me to vote X or do X that u need.. u ask i shall deliver what i can.. but dont ask me to pick a side.
3 weeks ago · 2HomesNow. Not Later. shared We Need This's Plastic Waste Homes.
We Need This
Our plastic waste can be turned into homes that cost just $280.
"Despite his outrage he still ended up giving her a custodial sentence because he wanted to deter her from begging in Worcester after she contravened an existing anti-social behavior civil injunction against her. She had tried to argue CCTV would prove it was a case of mistaken identity and she had only been prosecuted because a police officer had a grudge against her."
Read more: metro.co.uk/2018/05/25/woman-jailed-six-months-caught-begging-50p-7577918/
Woman jailed for six months after being caught begging for 50p
metro.co.uk
The woman defended herself in court despite not being able to read or write.
When I left Seattle, in early 1980, the rooming house was still a thing in the Denny Regrade and even the Queen Anne Hill areas. The speculators had just started to move in and most people laughed at the horridly expensive shoe boxes they were offering. The cities dropped the ball in the 1980s. The vibrancy and stability of the city lay in having sufficient affordable housing in =every= price point, not just the super high end, high tax market. It truly is a case of TANSTAAFL - if you do away with affordable housing, you commit to having to pay for homelessness (either to affirmatively solve the problem or, negatively, to move it on to somewhere else).
4 weeks ago · 1A huge hero.
startinghuman.org
Check out the MYTHPLA PROJECT. We are building Tiny Houses as a first step and a dignified bridge between the gutter and permanent housing. It's simply the right thing to do.
HomesNow. Not Later. shared a post.
Jim will be speaking on this WWU panel shortly. There should be a live stream recording on this event page
Today at 5pm!
View previous comments
I'll do as many T Shirts as possible....
8 hours ago · 12 Replies
I'll definitely gather items, but cannot say what I'll get my hands on. So far have some t-shirts, leggings, and lightweight jackets.
7 hours ago1 Reply
I have a bag full of men's shorts size 42-44. Where can I take them?
7 hours ago1 Reply
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