Any parent of a child in school these days is stressed out beyond measure. The endless Zoom classrooms, tracking lesson plans and navigating remote learning during these uncertain times are monumentally difficult. Even more difficult though, is a parent trying to do all of this while also experiencing homelessness. Families who are homeless do not have the housing stability that is helpful for their children to succeed in school, let alone during a pandemic where internet access, access to technology and constant monitoring is critical. What is the best way to help children and families who are experiencing homelessness? By housing them.
Housing Hope has been working diligently with the neighbors and community members near the Norton playfield to design an affordable housing project that will house families with school children who are experiencing homelessness. The design is respectful of the historic aesthetics of the neighborhood and will fit in seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood.
More importantly, the project will house homeless children so that they can have a warm and stable home that will help establish a trajectory towards success. It’s hard enough for a parent to help their children with school and homework, but can you imagine trying to do so in a tent? Or the front seat of a chilly car? A partial rezone of the Norton playfield to facilitate the development of this project will go a long way to improve the lives of so many families in our area.
Paula Rhyne
Everett
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