GIRMAY ZAHILAY – The New Elected Executive of King County, Washington. NOVEMBER 10, 2025

Contact: King County Executive-elect announces next steps for leadership changes

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King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay

Girmay Zahilay is the new elected executive of King County, Washington. He will be sworn in on November 25, 2025. Zahilay has focused on outcomes in public safety, housing, and transportation throughout his career, and was the King County Councilmember for District 2 before being elected.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Girmay Hadish Zahilay (/ˈɡɜːrmaɪ ˈzɑːhɪlaɪ/ GUR-my ZAH-hil-eye;[1] born May 6, 1987) is an American politician who is a member of the King County Council from District 2 in Seattle, Washington. He was elected in 2019, defeating longtime incumbent Larry Gossett. In 2025, Zahilay was elected King County Executive, succeeding interim appointee Shannon Braddock.[2]

Early life and education
Zahilay and his brother were born in Sudan to Ethiopian refugees from Tigray[3] who had escaped military conflict. He was three years old when his family immigrated to the United States, settling in the Rainier Valley.[4] Zahilay moved between public housing arrangements in several South Seattle neighborhoods, including the International District and Skyway, while his mother Abie worked double shifts as a nursing assistant. The family also stayed at a homeless shelter in Downtown Seattle between moves to public housing in New Holly and Rainier Vista.[5][6]

Zahilay attended Asa Mercer Middle School in Seattle.[7] He graduated from Franklin High School in Seattle and was a research intern at the University of Washington Department of Biology.[8] He majored in biology at Stanford University, where he served as president of the Black Student Union. Zahilay earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania and worked as an intern at the Office of the White House Counsel during the Obama administration.[4]

Career
Zahilay worked for the Congressional Hunger Center and New York City Coalition Against Hunger as a community organizer after graduating from college.[5] He then moved to jobs at law firms Skadden Arps in New York and Perkins Coie in Seattle.[4] Zahilay also founded a non-profit, Rising Leaders, that aims to provide mentors for underserved middle school students.[4]

King County Council
In 2019, Girmay Zahilay was elected to the King County Council, serving District 2, which includes the University District, Laurelhurst, Ravenna, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, the Central District, South Seattle, Allentown, and Skyway.[9] Zahilay was sworn in to represent District 2 on January 8, 2020, and was selected to chair the council’s Law and Justice Committee.[10]

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Veterans Resources in Seattle

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How to get help right now
– VA Puget Sound Homeless Services (triage line: 206-764-5149). Connects veterans to housing programs such as HCHV, HUD-VASH, emergency shelter, health and mental health services, justice-reentry support and prevention resources.
– King County Veterans Program (KCVP): Offers appointments and general help for veterans and their families, including housing assistance, emergency financial aid, employment resources and case management. Appointments: 206-296-7656. Main line: 206-263-8387.
– King County 2-1-1 (Crisis Connections): For housing referrals, shelter information and service navigation (M–F). Dial 2-1-1 or (206) 461-3200.

South King County (Renton, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines)
1. KCVP – Tukwila Office (walk-in & appointments): 645 Andover Park W., Suite 100, Tukwila, WA 98188. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Provides rental and move-in assistance when available, utilities and emergency funds, case management and housing navigation. Phone: 206-263-8387.
2. VA Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC) – South Seattle: 305 S. Lucile St., Seattle, WA 98108. A one-stop access point for homeless or at-risk veterans for housing placement (including HUD-VASH), health and mental health services, benefits, employment and coordinated referrals. Call the triage line 206-764-5149 before visiting.
3. Multi-Service Center (MSC) – Veterans Housing Help: Federal Way (1200 S 336th St.) and Kent (24437 Russell Rd., Suite 200). MSC supports veterans with housing navigation and related basic-needs services; contact the local office for availability and intake.
4. Regional Access Point (RAP) – YWCA Renton: Entry point to King County’s Coordinated Entry for people experiencing homelessness, including veterans. Address: 1010 S 2nd St., Renton. Phone: 425-523-1377. Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (walk-in hours Wednesday 1–4 PM).

North King County (Seattle & North End: Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell)
1. KCVP – Northgate Office (walk-in & appointments): 9725 3rd Ave NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98115. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. County services for veterans and families (housing help, emergency financial aid, benefits navigation). Phone: 206-263-8387.
2. Compass Veterans Center – Shoreline (Permanent Supportive Housing): 1301 N 200th St., Shoreline, WA 98133. Provides supportive housing and case management for veterans; office hours 8:30 AM–5 PM. Veterans who are homeless or at risk should call the VA Homeless Outreach Clinic at 425-203-7200.
3. Compass Housing Alliance – Veterans Programs (countywide access): Veterans programs and housing. If currently homeless or at risk, call the VA Homeless Outreach Clinic at 425-203-7200 to connect with VA outreach for placement.
4. Regional Access Point – North Seattle (Solid Ground): 1501 N. 45th St., Seattle. Phone: 206-694-6833. Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (walk-in hours Wednesday 11 AM–1 PM). Any household in King County can access any RAP site.
5. Seattle HUD-VASH (voucher + case management): Local contact is through the VA CRRC at 305 S. Lucile St., 206-764-5149. Seattle Housing Authority provides special-purpose housing vouchers with case management support.

Additional countywide options for veterans
– Catholic Community Services – Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Provides rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention for eligible veteran households. Contact the King County SSVF team at 206-814-1660 or visit the VA CRRC (305 S. Lucile St.) for intake. Offices are at 1129 W. Smith Street (Kent), the Federal Way Day Center and the Phoenix Center on Rainier Ave in Seattle.
– Compass Housing Alliance – Blaine Veterans Center Enhanced Shelter (Downtown Seattle): Offers a 24-hour enhanced shelter for adult male-identifying veterans with 36 beds. Includes meals, laundry, case management and housing navigation. Participants must be referred by the King County Veterans Program and can call 206-263-8387 for referral.

Tips to move faster
1. Call the VA triage line (206-764-5149) and request connection to homeless outreach or the HUD-VASH program; ask about same-day CRRC access.
2. Contact KCVP (use the office closest to you) to check eligibility for emergency financial aid and housing help; schedule the next available intake.
3. If you can’t reach providers quickly, dial 2-1-1 or 206-461-3200 for backup navigation and current shelter openings.

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August 2025, HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced the administration is ordering nationwide THAT all public housing agencies and public housing residents and housing organizations SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL DOLLARS to prohibit MIXED STATUS FAMILIES – HOUSEHOLDS with both legally eligible and ineligible members—from living in public AND subsidized housing. This will STOP RENT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR ALL mixed-status families receiving any housing assistance, thereby threatening the housing stability of legal residents, including U.S. citizens living with ineligible family members.

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In late August 2025, HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced the administration is ordering ALL Local public housing authorities (PHAs), in 30 days to provide HUD with proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status for ALL their clients.

Impact on legal immigrants

Prohibiting mixed-status families from receiving any housing assistance, thereby threatening the housing stability of legal residents, including U.S. citizens living with ineligible family members.

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TODAY – Wednesday, January 17, 2024 the Seattle Housing Authority OPEN application to families and individuals for a chance to receive a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as a Section 8 voucher), which provides rental assistance for people with low incomes to rent from landlords throughout the Seattle rental market.

Covid 19 Related Resource

Contact: CLICK ON VISIT WEBSITE ABOVE

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Application is free.

CLICK ON WEBSITE.

Application for a chance to receive a Seattle Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher opens January 17
New approach creates an ongoing application opportunity.

Application is available online through SHA’s website at seattlehousing.org.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024 the Seattle Housing Authority will open application to families and individuals for a chance to receive a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as a Section 8 voucher), which provides rental assistance for people with low incomes to rent from landlords throughout the Seattle rental market.

Application will be available online through SHA’s website at seattlehousing.org. Application is free. If any website asks for money to complete an application, it is not the correct site. To avoid misleading websites applicants should type seattlehousing.org into an internet browser. Applicants will be required to establish an SHA Portal user account on SHA’s website to log in and apply to the voucher list

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EMERGENCY OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OUR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES – LIFE SPAN IS GETTING SHORTER AND SHORTER, ‘Live free and die?’ The sad state of U.S. life expectancy (IN SIMPLE WORDS, OUR LIVING SITUATION IN THE UNITED STATES IS KILLING US OFF QUICKER)

Covid 19 Related Resource

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OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES LIFE SPAN IS GETTING SHORTER AND SHORTER,

‘Live free and die?’ The sad state of U.S. life expectancy, March 25, 2023

Quotes;

Dr. EILEEN CRIMMINS, “The countries that are ahead of us?, Cuba, Lebanon, Barbados, Chile. I mean, it goes on and on and on”…, Professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Steven Woolf, “We found higher child poverty rates, the highest levels of income inequality, systemic racism, social isolation. And I could go on. I don’t want to have too long an answer, but you get the point. Professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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PLEASE SHARE! What is your boldest vision for a National Tenants’ Bill of Rights? and What you need to access safe, sustainable, and truly affordable housing?

CLICK HERE TO OPEN RELATED DOCUMENT

Contact: PLEASE TAP ON “VISIT WEBSITE” TO FILL OUT SURVEY

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Women, people of color, and low-income families face the highest risk of being forced out of their homes as the eviction moratorium comes to an end.

The eviction moratorium is expected to end on July 31, 2021.

Once the moratorium expires, about 7.4 million Americans will risk getting evicted in the next coming months, according to Census Pulse Survey Data.

Women, people of color, and low-income households are the most vulnerable groups of renters who will be exposed to the consequences brought on by the end of the eviction moratorium. These three groups are believed to have the likeliest chance of being forced to leave their homes within the next two months, Census household data projects.

About 1.4 million renters are very likely to be kicked out of their homes in the next two months, the data says. According to Insider calculations.

Please fill out the attached form to share what you need to access safe, sustainable, and truly affordable housing.

PLEASE TAP ON “VISIT WEBSITE” TO FILL OUT SURVEY.

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SOC1AL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDoH)-A Public Health framework-TO ADDRESS DISPARITY AND HEALTH INEQUITY DRIVEN BY SYSTEMIC RACISM

CLICK HERE TO OPEN RELATED DOCUMENT

Narration
https://www.sistersincommon.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/The-Social-Determinants-of-Health-AUDIO-slower-2.mp3

Contact: ALL WHO ARE IMMUNE SUPPRESSED, PLEASE CONTINUE TO MASK UP- WASH YOUR HANDS – SANITIZE – SOCIAL DISTANCE -BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE!!

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The Social Determinants of Health represent aspects of people’s social identity, their social environment and their social position…

It’s a broad topic and includes issues like justice, inequality, health inequity, poverty and human rights.

The WHO states that, “The social determinants of health (SDoH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.

These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.

The SDoH provide a comprehensive blueprint for human development and for systematically addressing the Social Determinants of Health.”

The video was made with support from USC.

Global Health with Greg Martin

(To watch the youtube video, cut and paste the link below into your browser)

(To listen to the English Narration, tap on the unloaded audio)

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KING COUNTY EVICTION PREVENTION and RENTAL ASSISTANCE INTEREST FORM – Please OPEN THE WEBSITE and add your contact information ON THE FORM IF YOU WANT TO BE KEPT UPDATED ABOUT HOW TO GET HELP

Covid 19 Related Resource

https://youtu.be/0UpZFl-3YL8

Contact: URGENT! ALWAYS MASK UP (EVEN WHEN OUTSIDE) – WASH YOUR HANDS – SOCIAL DISTANCE -SANITIZE

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PLEASE LET YOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER KNOW IF YOU NEED HELP FILLING OUT THE FORM.

King County received $165 million for rental assistance through the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). This funding has strict requirements and guidelines that King County and all partners must follow.

King County is starting the next round of the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP). The program helps people experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 at risk of housing instability or homelessness.

King County will launch another round of rental assistance through the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program in April. Please add your contact information below to be updated about the EPRAP.

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/COVID/eviction-prevention-rent-assistance.aspx

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WASHINGTON GOVERNOR STOP MOST EVICTIONS THROUGH DECEMBER 31st, 2020

Covid 19 Related Resource

Contact: Washington eviction moratorium extended through Dec. 31st, 2020

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Washington eviction moratorium extended through Dec. 31st, 2020

A Washington eviction moratorium that started in March was scheduled to expire next week. It’s been extended again through the end of the year. The moratorium in place since March, and extended a few times since then, was scheduled to expire next week.

It prohibits, with limited exceptions, residential evictions and late fees on unpaid rent. It also requires landlords to offer residents a repayment plan on unpaid rent.

PLUS 15 MILLION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS!!

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GOVERNOR Inslee STOP EVICTIONS UNTIL OCTOBER 15, 2020

Covid 19 Related Resource

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PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR EXTENDING AND AMENDING PROCLAMATIONS 20-05 AND 20-19, et seq. 20-19.3 Evictions and Related Housing Practices.

WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, I issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a State of
Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington as a result of the corona-virus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and confirmed person-to-person spread
of COVID-19.

WHEREAS, the inability to pay rent by these members of our workforce increases the
likelihood of eviction from their homes, increasing the life, health and safety risks to a
significant percentage of our people from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, tenants, residents, and renters who are not materially affected by COVID-19
should and must continue to pay rent, to avoid unnecessary and avoidable economic hardship to
landlords, property owners, and property managers who are economically impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the
above-noted situation, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency continues to exist in all counties of Washington State, that Proclamation 20-05 and all amendments thereto remain in effect, and that Proclamations 20-05 and 20-19, et seq., are amended to TEMPORARILY PROHIBIT RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS AND TEMPORARILY IMPOSE OTHER RELATED PROHIBITIONS STATEWIDE UNTIL 11:59 pm,ON OCTOBER 15, 2020 AS PROVIDED HEREIN.

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