Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5), chair of the Housing and Human Services Committee, spoke with a group of Venezuelan refugees after they attended yesterday’s Council meeting.

During that meeting, dozens of immigrants and refugees, many of whom are children, unexpectedly came to Seattle City Hall to ask for help after being evicted from a hotel in Kent. Their requests included the need for immediate shelter, permanent housing, the need for access to attorneys, work permits, stability in order to enroll children in schools, and follow-up from community groups who have offered to help.

While the Seattle City Council does not have any legal authority to directly offer people shelter itself, Councilmember Moore worked with the refugees to ensure their concerns and situation were understood by the government officials who are empowered to immediate action.

After hours of coordination by the Mayor’s Office, Councilmember Moore’s Office, and other stakeholders, the City of Seattle was able to temporarily extend their stay at the hotel.

“I want to thank Mayor Bruce Harrell for his collaboration and quick action to ensure these families had a safe place to live. I also want to thank the families for sharing their stories of their struggles to make a better life for themselves and their families” said Councilmember Moore.

“Moving forward, it’s clear we need a long-term solution from our County, State, and Federal partners for these refugees and others to come. As I pledged at the Council meeting yesterday,  I will work closely with Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to ensure needed support to provide assistance with obtaining work permits so those who can, may find work and a path forward,” concluded Councilmember Moore.