As we enter the winter and holiday months, the Everett Housing Authority Resident Services team has coordinated onsite Flu and COVID Booster Vaccination clinics across multiple properties that house vulnerable populations. The hope is that with the opportunity to have these vaccine clinics on the properties, more residents will be inclined to receive these free vaccination and booster shots at the comfort of their own home, without having to visit their local pharmacy, grocery store, or doctor’s office.

“By bringing the booster and flu shots to our residents, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to stay healthy and safe as we enter this upcoming flu season,” said John Forsyth, Deputy Executive Director of EHA.

The Washington State Department of Health COVID dashboard is reporting 62* cases per 100,000 in Snohomish County, with 7% of hospital beds currently occupied by COVID patients. The CDC reports that between 3%-11% of the US population gets infected and develops flu symptoms each year, with estimates that the flu causes between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations annually. Combined with new COVID variants and people returning to normal activities, it is no surprise that health experts are predicting a more severe flu season over the next few months.

If you are interested in receiving a COVID booster and/or a flu shot, visit Vaccines.gov to find a clinic near you:

• COVID boosters and vaccines – https://www.vaccines.gov/search/
• Flu Shot, Flu Nasal Spray, and Flu Shot (Egg Free) – https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/

Free COVID tests are still available from the State through the end of December. It might be good to have them on hand in case you are exposed or feel sick and need to check. Here is the link: https://sayyescovidhometest.org/

*62 cases per 100,000 as of 11/28/22

As we kick off our 80th year, we reflect on our humble beginnings back in 1942. With a starting portfolio of military housing and senior and elderly housing, to now providing assistance for approximately 3,200 very low-income households and a portfolio of 1,867 units of residential housing...we are so proud to be a part of this community.

The future of housing is brighter with Communities of Opportunity. Imagine a development where individuals, families, and children have access to safe, affordable housing, in addition to:

• Parks
• Shopping
• Social services
• Medical care
• Rapid transit
• Jobs
• Good schools

Our future mixed-income developments will bring market-rate and affordable housing units together with intention to foster a true sense of community, equity and opportunity for all residents.

The EHA offices are closed to the public and staff can meet in person by appointment only. Please call if you would like to schedule an appointment.

You can continue to call your property office directly if you live at an EHA property. The EHA main line phone tree can help you connect with a staff member if you are not at an EHA property or unsure who to contact to help with your needs.

The Washington State Department of Health and Amazon have teamed up to provide Washingtonians with more money to buy fruits and vegetables. People who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic EBT benefits in Washington can now use SNAP Produce Match for Amazon Fresh purchases. When SNAP/EBT shoppers buy at least $10 of fruits and vegetables with their SNAP/EBT card, they get a $5 SNAP Produce Match promotion that can be used toward future eligible purchases.

SNAP Produce Match is available at 184 grocery stores across 30 counties in Washington as well as participating online retailers. Learn more on the SNAP Produce Match page here.

Starting January 2023, residents who qualify for the rent study with a recertification date in May will be contacted by EHA and the enrollment process will begin for our Tiered Rent Study. If you qualify and have a recertification date after April, you will be contacted in the following months.

Who qualifies?

Only non-elderly, non-disabled households (what we call “employment focused” households) will be eligible for the rent study. In addition, certain other households, including households who are currently participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, are also excluded. Eligible households will be randomly selected to either pay the new tiered rent or the current rent. Half of eligible households will be part of the new rent policy and half will pay based on their current policy.

If either the head or co-head of household is elderly and/or disabled, the participants will not be selected for the study.

NOTE: You do not need to do anything now regarding this rent study. EHA will contact you if you are eligible for the study.

Why is EHA doing this?

EHA is implementing the study to see if the new rent policy helps households increase their income and creates less paperwork for households and EHA. Half of eligible households will pay rent under the new Tiered Rent policy and half will pay rent under the existing rent policy so we can compare the results for both groups.

How will my rent be different?

Half of eligible households will pay rent under the new Tiered Rent policy and half will pay rent under the existing rent policy so we can compare the outcomes for both groups. Here are some examples of how the Tiered Rent policy might help EHA participants and residents:

Most households will see no change in their rent, or a small rent decrease. A handful of households may experience a modest rent increase. Households facing larger rent increases will be able to request a hardship to lessen the impact of the new rent policy on their rent.

The rent table continues for additional increments of $2,500. We will begin the process of enrolling families starting January 2023, with their first month of annuals falling in May 2023.

Triennial Recertifications

One major change you will see if you are part of this study is that you recertify your income every 3 years, instead of every year. If you have an increase, you do not have to report it and it will not impact your rent. If you have a decrease in income, you can report it if you would like to apply for a temporary hardship reduction in your rent.

REMINDER: EHA will contact you if you qualify for this study.

View the tiered rent payments and more here.

From YourDictionary.com

Formal Email: Writing to a business Contact

In the sample below, someone is thanking a potential employer or business associate for their time. You might also use a formal email to follow up on a job interview. Notice that no contractions are used and the language is quite proper. No presumptions are made, but gentle reminders of how to get in touch are established.

Subject line: Portfolio Submission - J. Abilene

Dear Mr. Green:

Thank you for taking the time to review my portfolio. I would be delighted to speak with you further about the future of your graphic design department. It sounds like you have some very exciting changes coming down the pipeline.

Please feel free to call me on my cell phone anytime at (212) 871-3498. Of course, you can also reach me via email as well. I look forward to getting to know you better.

With gratitude,

Jack Abilene

jabilene@abilene.com

Informal Email: Writing to a Friend

In an informal email, (almost) anything goes. If the recipient is a friend or personal acquaintance, generally speaking, you can loosen your language a bit. That said, remember that whenever you hit "send" on an email or text, it becomes a permanent fixture that can resurface in the future. So, no matter the context, choose your words wisely.

Hi Jessie,

Thanks so much for helping me update my portfolio. Because of what you did for me, I was able to land an interview with AdExact's Marketing Department!

I definitely owe you some coffee. Are you interested in meeting up at Greenwich Village this Thursday? I'd love to treat you to one of those Mocha Frappuccinos you love!

Talk soon,

Jack

Social Security's Ticket to Work Program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are ages 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program.

Interested in getting started? Meet Ben! Ben will guide you through the Social Security's Ticket to Work Program and give you more information about their free employment support services.

In need of a laptop or a Wi-Fi Hotspot device? All you need is a valid library card!

Everett Public Library: Chromebooks and Wi-Fi Hotspots are available for 3-week checkouts! Chromebooks are pre-loaded with many apps to help students, job seekers, and the general public navigate online resources. Hotspots provide data service to connect Chromebooks, smart phones, tablets and other devices to the Internet. Chromebooks and Hotspots can be checked out together or separately. Call (425) 257-8000 to reserve a device.

Sno-Isle Libraries: Laptops and Wi-Fi Hotspots can be checked out for up to 1 week! Customers can place a hold on a laptop or Wi-Fi Hotspot with a library card. Customers will then receive notification when they are ready to pickup. Contact-Free Pickup Phone Numbers:

• Edmonds - 425-771-1933
• Lynnwood - 360-651-7187
• Snohomish - 360-651-7196
• Sultan - 360-651-7198

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to help connect families and household struggling to afford internet service. HUD-assisted families automatically qualify for ACP and the subsidy is not considered income for the purpose of determining program eligibility or household rent.

The benefit provides:

• Up to $30/month discount for internet service
• Up to $75/month discount for household on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount o f up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider

HOW TO ENROLL:

• Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print a mail-in application
• Contact your preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.

Eligible household must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

Learn more:

• By phone - 877-384-2575
• By web - fcc.gov/acp

The following resources are through local organizations that can assist with the upcoming holiday season.

Christmas House

Print a copy of the 2022 Shopper Qualifications; fill in and print a copy of the Family Information Form and bring it with your required documentation.

Marine Toys for Tots

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Request toys here – must be completed on a laptop or desktop (can not be completed on a phone).

Lynnwood Food Bank | Wednesdays: 11AM-5PM, Fridays: 10AM-1PM

Lynnwood Food Bank distributes groceries to the public. Customers should remain in their vehicles and do not show up early. All vehicles will be directed to park in the lot as if they were waiting to get on a ferry. Before you come to the food bank, please make sure you have room in your car's trunk for volunteers to add your groceries. Learn more here.

Free Food Pickup | Modest Family Solutions | 18122 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA

Four days of pick up at the Modest Produce Stand Thursday to Sunday. Schedule to redeem a coupon for a free fresh produce box here.

Everett Food Bank | Open Daily M/W/F: 10AM-2PM, 2nd and 4th Tuesday: 3-6PM | 1230 Broadway, Everett, WA | 425-259-3191

There are no eligibility or documentation requirements to receive food at any VOAWW food banks or pantries. Note: In the event of inclement weather, we observe the same emergency school closures and snow days as Everett Public Schools.

Wintertide Celebration at the Gipson Center

December 3: 10AM-5PM | December 4: 10AM-3PM | Carl Gipson Center
Head over to Wintertide at Gipson Center for a ho-ho-whole bunch of free family fun including, Santa photos, holiday makers gift market, live entertainment, bingo (Saturday only) and yummy goodies. The event is free and open to the public. Event hosted by the Volunteers of America.

Port of Everett's Holiday on the Bay

December 3 | 11AM-7PM
Kids and adults alike will gather in and around the Port of Everett’s expansive outdoor Pacific Rim Plaza for the day’s activities, located adjacent to Hotel Indigo's Jetty Bar & Grille.

Everett Farmers Market Holiday Festival

December 4 | 11AM-5PM | Angel of the Winds Arena
The beloved Everett Farmers Market crew will be hosting an indoor Holiday Festival on Sunday, Dec. 4at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Load up on holiday treats, handmade gifts and enjoy other festive fun. While you're there, take some time to admire the Pilchuck glass collection on display in the foyer - there are some amazing works from renowned artists like Dale Chihuly. Learn more here.

Wintertide Celebration at the Village on Casino Road

December 9 | 5PM-8PM
Families will gather to enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, hats and gloves for kids, a raffle, storytelling, music, activities for kids, and resources. Registration will be available for the Christmas House gift program for income-eligible families in Snohomish County.

Wintertide Makers Market and Holiday Festival

December 10 | 12PM-8PM | Wetmore Plaza
Presented by Everett Makers Market
Head to Wetmore Plaza for a day of family fun and incredible handmade holiday gifts from over 50 local artisans. This year's market is bigger than ever with added food trucks, Santa photos, and live holiday performances inside Cope Gillette Theatre.

The Dance School Presents: The Nutcracker

December 10 | 6PM | Everett Civic Auditorium | Ages 7+: $15. Under 6: Free
This production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker features young students from Everett's prestigious dance school. Support this amazing non-profit and fill up on holiday cheer. Tickets are just $15; children 6 and under are free. More info here.

Jingle & Mingle Holiday Market

December 11 | 10AM-6PM | Tulalip Resort Casino
With more than 100 vendors and an appearance from Santa, this is an event you won’t want to miss! FREE Admission, All ages welcome. Learn more here.

Everett Art Walk

December 15 | 5PM-9PM | Downtown Everett
Everett’s monthly showcase for artists, in the downtown core in the City of Everett, WA. on the 3rd Thursday of the month. ArtWalk is a Free Event!

Polar City Party at Imagine Children's Museum

December 17 | 10AM-2PM
Holiday-loving kiddos don’t want to miss this year’s most anticipated holiday kid’s party. The Polar City Party at Imagine Children’s Museum features penguin racing, penguin art projects, DIY crafts, polar bingo, a Yeti hunt (the giant snow beast – not the cooler) and selfies with Santa. Learn more here.