05-20-21 Senior Advisory Packet
Jeri-Lynn Clark, Executive Assistant to Council, 253-835-2401
Council President Susan Honda, 253-835-2401
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
Remote Meeting
May 19, 2021 – 2:00 PM
Notice: Pursuant to Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, all in-person meetings are prohibited until further notice.
Please select one of the two following options to virtually attend the meeting:
Click Here to submit written comments to the Senior Advisory Commission
Listen to the live meeting: (888) 788-0099 or 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 967 3314 8653
Watch from the Zoom mobile app with meeting: 967 3314 8653 and password: 640094
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. CITIZEN COMMENT
a. (Comment limit – 3 minutes)
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
5. STAFF REPORT
None.
6. NEXT MEETING
July 21, 2021 @ 2:00PM
7. ADJOURN
Topic Action or
Info
Est.
Time
Presenter
A. Approval of 3/17/2021 meeting minutes Action 5 Min Chair Harvey
B. Utility Tax Rebate – FEDRAC Follow Up Action 20 Min Chair Harvey
C. Lobbyist Direction Action 20 Min Chair Harvey
D. Subcommittee Updates Info 40 Min Chair Harvey
a) Brochure Distribution
b) Taxes and discounts for seniors
c) Rent Control
Page 1 of 8
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
SUMMARY
March 17, 2021 @ 2:00PM
Hylebos Conference Room
Commissioners Present: Chair Debbie Harvey, Vice Chair Lana Bostic, Sue Ellebrecht, Lynette
Karasuda, Kevin King, Catherine North, Cheryl Volheim, Frank Fields,
Ken Pratt & Dora “Pal” Leonard (Alternate)
Absent: Commissioner Hope Elder
Staff Present: Council President Susan Honda & Jeri-Lynn Clark, Executive Assistant
Citizens Present: Rev. Colleen Chinen (Assoc. Pastor from Steel Lake Presbyterian
Church)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.
MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD PRESENTATION BY TIM JOHNSON BY CHAIR
HARVEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PRATT. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Terri Cleveland from Meridian Court Senior Apartments shared that there are many affordable
apartments available for low income seniors 65+ and people with disabilities 55+ years old. She
thanked the Commission for all of their help and contributions to Seniors in Federal Way.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Vice Chair Bostic shared that she was able to contact Olivia from the Federal Way Mirror to
have a meeting to discuss the Senior Advisory Commission. Chair Harvey, Vice Chair Bostic,
Council President Honda and Ms. Clark will attend the meeting. Ms. Clark will set up the Zoom
meeting.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
Presentation by Tim Johnson, Economic Development Director on the American Rescue
Plan Act.
Mr. Johnson shared his PowerPoint on the American Rescue Plan Act (see attached).
Page 2 of 8
The ARPA is $1.9 Trillion, 628-page act. The following are the breakdowns for where the
funds will be allocated: Stimulus Checks, Housing Assistance $27 billion, Aging and Disability
Services $1.4 billion, Utilities Assistance $4.5 billion and Food Assistance $2.4 billion.
Aging and Disability Services:
Supportive Services $1.4 billion
• Vaccinations $Unknown
• Social Isolation $460 million
• Family Caregiving $145 million
• Elder Abuse $Unknown
• Support for Transportation $350 billion
Chair Harvey inquired if there was the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program in
the ARPA plan? Mr. Johnson said it is located in the Housing Assistance section. Chair
Harvey would like to know if there will be communication to seniors on how to access these
funds? Mr. Johnson shared that it could take anywhere to sixty to ninety days before we
know how we can distribute the funds. It could take longer to get the information and
funds out to the public.
Mr. Johnson is still looking into the act to see how the funding can help seniors and he will
update the Council and the Commission as details come forward.
B. THE PETE ANDERSON HOUSE
Rod Nuss, Volunteer Coordinator for FUSION shared information on how to be involved in
volunteering with FUSION at The Pete Anderson House and FUSION Boutique.
To address homelessness in our community, FUSION purchased an Econo Lodge hotel in
Federal Way and converted it to an emergency shelter providing 29 safe and secure private
rooms with full baths. This FUSION Family Center, opened in December 2020, houses
individual families experiencing homelessness for up to 90 day stays. Referrals to the facility
are from the coordinated entry list managed by Mary’s Place and community partner
agencies. There are currently 20 rooms full (29 Adults & 46 children) due to COVID-19
things are different not operating as designed with multiple families in each room. They are
making things work and it is going really well.
FUSION Volunteer opportunities:
The Pete Anderson House
Play with the kids, spend time with them painting, playing games, singing with them, etc.
This really helps staff focus on the parents and helping them find the help that they need.
There will also be a need in the commercial kitchen when it opens up, volunteers can help
with cooking, serving meals, cleaning, etc.
Fusion Boutique
Moving furniture, picking up donations; working in the boutique, etc.
Page 3 of 8
Annual Auction
The annual auction is located at the Dumas Bay Centre every August. They are hoping for
an in-person event (socially distanced) and could use help with the event planning and day
of set up and take down.
Housing Team
There are 20 single family homes (all are currently occupied) and each family can stay there
for a year and half. The homes are fully furnished, when the families move on to the next
phase of their lives, they can take all of the items/furnishing in the home with them to help
them with their new start. The housing team comes in to clean, repair and refurnish the
homes.
For more information and to sign up to volunteer please go to fusionfederalway.org,
Email: volunteers@fusionfederalway.org or Phone: 253-874-1257
C. COVID-19 UPDATE
Ray Gross, Emergency Manager shared a brief update on COVID-19. St. Francis has moved
over to the Federal Way Community Center and this has allowed them to double their
vaccines distribution as long as the supply is there. They are averaging to 500-600 people
each day that they are open. There is plan to move over to the PAEC which will allow them
to distribute 2000 vaccines a day if the supply of the vaccines are available.
Mobile Vaccines have addressed almost half of all the larger adult family homes in Federal
Way. Now they are making plans to address the home bound elderly and disabled
residents. They will utilize Meals on Wheels and similar programs to help contact residents.
King County Covid vaccine page has several ways to locate how many vaccines have been
delivered. There is now a map with several filters to access information on Federal Way by
zip code, age, first dose and second does. The website shows age groups 75+, 65+, 16+ and
if they have had their first dose, second dose, etc. Currently it shows resident in the 98023-
zip code age 75+ with their first does is at 91%.
How are they communicating that they have extra vaccines available? There are a variety
of different ways. They contact SEA-Mar, Federal Way Municipal Court, Federal Way Police
Department, etc. who have lists of people signed up to be notified if there are any extra
vaccines available.
St. Francis is distributing every other day. The mobile units are going out to the adult family
homes six days a week.
The King County Covid website: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/data.aspx
COVID vaccination among King County residents:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/data/vaccination.aspx
Page 4 of 8
D. HOUSING ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Community Development Associate Planner Chaney Skadsen presented the Housing Action
Plan to the Diversity Commission (presentation attached).
The goal of the Housing Action Plan (HAP) is to lay out a comprehensive housing policy
direction from which regulatory changes can be implemented. The intent of this plan is
that regulatory changes occurring after adoption be towards the goal of increasing
residential building capacity in the city.
What is in a Housing Action Plan? It will include: Housing needs assessment; community
and stakeholder engagement; housing policy, code, and permitting review; housing
objectives and strategies; and schedule of next steps towards implementation.
Proposed housing objectives: Encourage new development to expand housing choices;
support equity in homeownership; enhance the character and livability of existing
neighborhoods; promote complete communities by tying housing production to improved
infrastructure, resources, and amenities; help residents to stay in their homes.
City of Federal Way joined the SoKiCo Subregional Framework to help understand South
King County demographics; discover broad trends in the South King County housing market;
gather and compile data at the subregional level for policy development at the City level;
provide basis for evaluating city level strategies to encourage future housing production
and meet population growth.
There are over a dozen comprehensive plan designations classified by lot size minimal lot
sizes, density and uses devoted to single family residential, multi-family residential and
mixed use respectfully. Single family residential 70%, duplexes, triplexes, town houses
1.1%, multi-family 11% of city zone areas.
In the last ten, years home sale prices have gone up two times more than the Federal Way
median household income of $66,653. Median sale price in 2010 was $211,600 with an
income needed of $49,062. In 2020 average median sale price was two times higher at
$414,700 with an income needed of $96,153. The same is true for rent and income. An
average two-bedroom apartment in 2010 was $894 with an income needed of $35,760. In
2020, the rates went up 1.7 times to an average of $1,510 per month with an income
needed of $60,400. This increase is making homeownership further out of reach.
The supply of homes is not keeping up with demand. Over the past 10 years, Federal Way
has added 1 home for every 2 new households. This imbalance is from lagging residential
production. Without an increase in residential production, there is a shortage for new
homeowners and seniors looking to downsize.
Federal Way Community Profile Age and Race:
Race: White 52%, Black 14%, Asian 14%, Other 8%, Multiracial 8%, Native Hawaiian/Pacific
Islander 3%, American Indian/Alaska Native <1%.
Age: 19 and under 27%, 20 to 39 28%, 40 to 64 32% and 65 and older 13%.
Page 5 of 8
The Housing Needs Assessment showed BIPOC experience distortional rates for cost burden
homeownership and displacements risks. (see attachment for more details)
Community Engagement is three groups:
• Advisory Group
• Planning Commission, LUTC, City Council
• Stakeholders Engagement, Public Participation
Purpose and Role
Provide guidance on the draft plan’s process and analysis
Identify community strengths and challenges not evident in the data.
Advise on changing conditions that are not evident in the data due to data lags.
Ensure the plan reflects the needs of the community of Federal Way.
Committee Member Composition
• Single and multi-family housing builders and producers
• Organizations involved in providing below market rate housing
• The business community
• Neighborhood organizations
• Social service providers
• Representatives that reflect community demographics
Stakeholder Engagement & Public Participation
Visual Preference Survey – 226 responses
Interviews – MAKERS interviewed 6 groups (conversations typically included 2
interviewees) during October and November 2020.
Key Themes Identified
• Maintain Rental Affordability
• Improve Development Feasibility
• Improvement Ownership Opportunities
• Curb/Address Displacement
• Address Housing Needs
Proposed Housing Objectives, from these the City will design strategies to help address the
needs in the Housing Action Plan.
• Encourage new development to expand housing choices
• Support equity in homeownership opportunities
• Enhance the character and livability of existing neighborhoods
• Promote complete communities by tying housing production to improved
infrastructure, resources, and amenities
• Help residents to stay in their homes
Housing Action Plan Link: City of Federal Way Housing Action Plan | City of Federal Way
Page 6 of 8
Chair Harvey inquired what other cities that were included in this study? Burien, Tukwila,
Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn. Chair Harvey inquired how did Federal Way compare
with the population and land area? Ms. Skadsen shared that the land area was not a part
of the study. For the population comparison Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn we in one
group and Burien/Tukwila were in their own group. Chair Harvey if you compare Federal
Way to Tukwila, the cities with more land available would be in a better position to put
multiplexes in residential areas Federal Way and what will that look like? Ms. Skadsen
shared that each city has their own zoning areas and regulations on what housing can go
where. The visual preference survey looked at the how does this housing unit look in this
area? Do you like it? What do you want to see? How can we make it compatible to existing
single family homes areas?
Chair Harvey asked about mini houses/mother in law units, do we have those in Federal
Way? Ms. Skadsen said that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are allowed in Federal Way,
they are also reviewing ADU options as a part of the preliminary Housing Action Plan. They
will review the code as part of the study to make sure that the code is meeting the needs
and review to see if it needs to be modified?
How does having more homes, what kind of impact will it have on the services (doctors,
pharmacies, schools, churches, etc.) on the City of Federal Way? Ms. Skadsen shared that
any future development projects would have to pay impact fees and we evaluate if we can
accommodate that growth. We have adopted King County Growth Management Act. We
have certain targets we have to meet now to make sure we are meeting. Targets paired
with ensuring proper services and infrastructures are available.
How does this Housing Action Plan help seniors stay in their homes? It helps by making
sure there is affordable housing if someone needs to downsize or is safer living conditions
like no stairs, stores within walking distance, etc. We have provisions for Cottage Housing
on shared lots. You can possibly add a cottage home on the back of the property and rent
out the main home. Housing near shopping areas, townhomes, etc. to help with the needs
to help.
Commissioner Volheim asked how much space do you need on the property to put an
ADU on the site? Ms. Skadsen said there are many factors and you can call and speak
with the planner on duty for further information pertaining to a specific property.
Planner on Duty, Land Use and Zoning Questions 253-835-2655 (M-F 8AM-5PM), Email
Planning@cityoffederalway.com
E. UTILITY TAX REBATE – FEDRAC FOLLOW UP
Council President Honda shared that Ade’ Ariwoola, Finance Director has been looking at
what other cities are doing and I they are doing anything different than we are. Can we
have a flat rate and not requiring customers to turn in 12 months of bills and to streamline
the process to make it easier on the Seniors.
Page 7 of 8
Chair Harvey had the subcommittee members give their updates on what they found out
about discounts with utility companies. Commissioner Ellebrecht called Waste
Management told her that the City of Federal Way would have to make any changes on
their side before Waste Management could do any changes. Lakehaven has a program, but
they are out of funds and suggested for her to call Multi-Service Center (MSC) to see if they
have any programs available to help seniors. MSC said they do have a program, but they
are out of funds. St. Vincent de Paul and St. Luke’s both said they are out of funds to help
with utility bills at this time.
Commissioner King called Comcast and PSE and shared that you need to be careful when
researching online can end up with a third party and not connected to the real companies,
the best way is to call them. Both companies do not have discounts for seniors per se, but
there is a program for low income with energy assistance during the winter months.
Councilmember Ellebrecht asked if this was a onetime deal or several months?
Commissioner King believes it gets divided per month throughout winter bills, but will check
in to it. Comcast no senior discount, but for low income customers. There are a few deals
out there $10 a month for internet and $10 a month for cable.
Council President Honda needs to the Commission to provide input on should we do a flat
rate or have the citizens keep track of all of their bills for the year? You only receive a refund
on the bills they have turned in. *Utility tax rebate is refunding the city portion of the tax
on each bill.
Chair Harvey asked if we contact everyone who has participated in the past? Ms. Clark
shared that we mail out applications to all prior participants (Low Income Seniors & Low
Income Disabled). In the past we post flyers in the libraries and at the Multi-Service Center,
but due to COVID-19 and the businesses closed, we have not been able to post there.
Council President Honda asked the Commission if they suggest that we go to a flat rate or
pay the amounts on the bills? The Commission agree that a flat rate program would be
better to have.
Due to time constraints, the Commission has decided to continue the discussion at the May
19, 2021 meeting.
F. SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES
*Due to time constraints, Subcommittee Updates will occur at the May 19, 2021
meeting.
Page 8 of 8
• Subcommittee members Property Tax and Senior discounts: Chair Harvey,
Commissioner Ellebrecht, Commissioner King.
• Subcommittee members brochure distribution & survey: Commissioner North,
Commissioner Fields, and Commissioner Volheim.
• Subcommittee Rent Control: Vice Chair Bostic, Commissioner Fields and
Commissioner Pratt.
G. APPROVAL OF 1/20/2021 MEETING MINUTES
MOTION TO APPROVE 1/20/2021 MEETING MINUTES BY COMMISSIONER VOLHEIM,
SECOND BY VICE CHAIR BOSTIC. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. STAFF REPORT
Ms. Clark reminded Commissioners that we need to honor the presenter’s times and try to stick
to the schedule times.
6. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 @2:00 PM.
7. ADJOURN – The meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.
Attest:
_____________________________________________
Jeri-Lynn Clark, Exec. Assistant to Council
Approved by Senior Advisory Commission: _________
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
Tim Johnson
Director,
Economic Development &
Redevelopment
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
$1.9 Trillion
628 Page Act
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
History of Measures
Totals Over $5 Trillion in spending
in response to COVID-19 in about 1 Year
•Families First
•CARES Act
•Health Care Enhancement Act
•Response & Relief Act
•American Rescue Plan Act
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
For Seniors
(More Experienced Personnel)
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
•Stimulus Checks
•Housing Assistance $27 billion
•Aging & Disability Services $1.4 billion
•Utilities Assistance $4.5 billion
•Food Assistance $2.4 billion
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
Aging and Disability Services
Supportive Services $1.4 billion
Vaccinations $UNK
Social Isolation $460 million
Family Caregiving $145 million
Elder Abuse $UNK
Support for Transportation $350 billion
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
QUESTIONS
Housing Action Plan
Senior Commission March 17, 2021
By Chaney Skadsen, Associate Planner
Housing Action Plan (HAP) Goal
The goal of the city’s HAP document is to lay out
comprehensive housing policy direction from which
regulatory changes can be implemented.
The intent of this plan is that regulatory changes occurring
after adoption be towards the goal of increasing residential
building capacity in the city.
Housing Action Plan
Council Special Session 3/02/2021
HAP Major Efforts So Far
Housing Needs Assessment -Complete
Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis
Community Engagement –In Progress
Advisory Group
Stakeholders Interview
Commission Presentations
Visual Preference Survey
Policy Environment Review –Nearly Complete
Code Audit
Stakeholder Engagement
Housing Objectives & Strategies –In Progress
Federal Way Incorporation
Scale of Housing Built by Decade, 1960 -2020
Housing Action Plan
Council Special Session 3/02/2021
Incorporation
Incorporation
1984 Federal Way Community Plan Zoning Map
Housing Action Plan
Council Special Session 3/02/2021
SoKiCo Subregional
Framework
•Discover broad trends in the South King
County housing market
•Understand South King County
demographics
•Gather and compile data at the subregional
level for policy development at the city level
•Provide basis for evaluating city level
strategies to encourage future housing
production and meet population forecasts
through 2040
•Lay the groundwork for more consistent,
unified messaging for South King County
Housing Action Plan
Council Special Session 3/02/2021
Subregional Key Findings
Population Projections by 2040
South King County (SoKiCo)–expected 632,000
•63,090 new housing units needed
Federal Way –expected 106,500
•6,786 new housing units needed
Displacement is Occurring
Average Residential Unit Production
South King County:
Only 7.5 new housing units per every 10 new
households
Federal Way:
Only 5.3 new housing units per every 10 new
households
Number of Units Built Per Year, 2011-2019
Housing Needs Assessment
Findings
Federal Way Community Profile
Age and Race
9
Federal Way Population by Age and Race, 2018
Sources: ACS 5-year Estimates, 2014-2018; BERK, 2020.
White
52%
Black
14%
Asian
14%
Other
8%
Multiracial
8%
Native
Hawaiian/
Pacific
Islander
3%
American
Indian/
Alaska
Native
<1%19 and
under
27%
20 to 39
28%
40 to 64
32%
65 and
older
13%
-40%
-20%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
YTD
All Homes, Federal Way City Median Household Income
2 x more
Incomes
Sources: ACS 1-year Estimates, 2019; Zillow, 2020; BERK, 2020.
$1,510/month
Need income of
$60,400
$894/month
Need income of
$35,760
MEDIAN SALE PRICE: $414,700 2x
Sources: Zillow, 2020; EcoNorthwest, 2020
2010 2020
$211,600
AVERAGE
2-BEDROOM APARTMENT
RENT:
1.7x
Need income of
$96,153
Need income of
$49,062
Federal Way median household
income: $66,653
Homeownership is getting further out of reach.
Over the past 10 years, Federal Way
has added just
1 home
Existing homes in Federal Way
Sources: OFM, 2019; EcoNorthwest, 2020
for every
2 new
households
Supply is not keeping up with demand.
Disparities by
Race and Ethnicity
13Sources: ACS 5-year Estimates, 2014-2018; HUD CHAS (based on ACS 5-year Estimates, 2012-2016); BERK, 2020.
Distribution of Households by Income Level and Race, 2016
Homeownership by
Race and Ethnicity
of Householder
Community and
Stakeholder Engagement
Community Engagement
Advisory
Group
Planning
Commission/
LUTC / City
Council
Stakeholder
Engagement,
Public
Participation
Advisory Group
Purpose and Role
Provide guidance on the draft plan’s process and analysis
•Identify community strengths and challenges not evident in the data.
•Advise on changing conditions that are not evident in the data due to data lags.
•Ensure the plan reflects the needs of the community of Federal Way.
Committee Member Composition
•Single and multi-family housing builders and producers
•Organizations involved in providing below market rate housing
•The business community
•Neighborhood organizations
•Social service providers
•Representatives that reflect community demographics
Stakeholder Engagement & Public
Participation
Visual Preference Survey –226 responses
Interviews –MAKERS interviewed 6 groups (conversations typically included 2
interviewees) during October and November 2020.
Key Themes Identified
•Maintain Rental Affordability
•Improve Development Feasibility
•Improvement Ownership Opportunities
•Curb/Address Displacement
•Address Housing Needs
Proposed Housing Objectives
1.Encourage new development to expand housing
choices
2.Support equity in homeownership opportunities
3.Enhance the character and livability of existing
neighborhoods
4.Promote complete communities by tying housing
production to improved infrastructure, resources,
and amenities
5.Help residents to stay in their homes