Written by
Translated by Ariel Chan
Edited by Vicky Li Hou, Patrick McShane
According to a statistical report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2022, approximately 582,500 people in the U.S. experienced homelessness, with a significant number in Seattle and California. The homeless population in Washington state is increasing, with a 10% rise from 2020 to 2022, adding 2,288 people and over 70% of the growth is from King County.
So, how many homeless individuals are there in King County? According to the 2022 point-in-time statistical report from the Seattle government (seattle.gov), there are 13,368 homeless individuals in this county, marking a 12% increase compared to the 11,751 individuals recorded in 2020.
Tzu Chi USA’s Seattle Branch has been actively addressing the issue of homelessness in Seattle, providing comprehensive care comprising clothing, food, shelter, and medical assistance.
Sawdust Gathers in Piles; Collective Effort Inspires Hope
The sound of drills, hammers, and saws fills the air as volunteers from all directions exert their efforts, turning wooden boards into symbols of hope – building one tiny house after another.
The Hope Factory by Sound Foundations NW, established in 2018, has been tirelessly constructing tiny houses. Collaborating with local charitable organizations, they have created
numerous tiny house villages, providing temporary shelter for homeless individuals and assisting them in reintegrating into society while seeking stable living conditions. The resources of the Sound Foundations NW come from all corners of society, and the increasing number of volunteers demonstrates the power of cooperation and community cohesion.
A year and a half ago, Tzu Chi volunteers Laura Chen and Yee Zu Wu were inspired to participate and deeply understand the process of building tiny houses at the Hope Factory. They actively invited Tzu Chi volunteers from Seattle to join. By May 2023, the accumulated volunteer service reached 176 hours, which resulted in the successful donation of the first tiny house, which they named “Contentment.” With more volunteers responding, Tzu Chi Seattle donated the second and third tiny houses in July and September, respectively.
Volunteers use drills, nail guns, hammers, and other tools to build tiny houses. Photos/Xinqian Zheng
In addition to the participation of local volunteers, a month ago, the Seattle volunteers invited partners from other U.S. cities to visit and join the volunteer service at the Hope Factory. Tzu Chi Collegiate Association members from California, Texas, New York, and other states took this opportunity to learn more about how Seattle helps people experiencing homelessness. Armed with new knowledge, these volunteers returned to their respective cities to share these valuable experiences.
Dedication Grants Wishes; Compassionate Actions Cultivate Good Karma
On November 19, despite the frigid weather in Seattle, a group of volunteers enthusiastically went to the Hope Factory and donated Tzu Chi Seattle’s fourth tiny house, one they named “Inclusive.” With this donation, the Tzu Chi Seattle volunteer team achieved its initial goal: To donate four tiny homes in 2023.
Volunteers collaborate to move the boards for walls. Photo/Xinqian Zheng
Each donated tiny home carried a meaningful and unique name, the four being “Contentment,” “Gratitude,” “Compassion,” and “Inclusive,” each name aiming to infuse Tzu Chi’s love and care into these tiny structures, bringing positive life force to Tzu Chi’s volunteer partners and the future residents of the houses.
Barb Oliver, Director of Operations for Sound Foundations NW, was moved to tears when she saw the four new tiny houses. She said, “Thank you for making me cry with your touching efforts… Four tiny houses times 60 people, that’s 240 lives you’ve impacted so far. I also want to share something: We have a plan, and the goal is to achieve Functional Zero by the end of 2025, which means that every person in need in King County will be able to move into a tiny house. This is entirely thanks to your repeated participation.”
Continued Enthusiasm for Serving the Community Is a Promise of Love
The achievement is not an overnight success. To encourage more volunteer participation, Yee Zu Wu proposed gifting “Helping Hand Gloves.” Volunteers who participate three or more times receive a pair of these specially customized work gloves. “The first time is a trial, the second time generates interest, and participating three times means understanding the mission of the Hope Factory enough and being willing to continue to contribute,” Wu explained.
At the Hope Factory, every job requires wearing work gloves. Wu carefully writes the names of volunteers on each pair of gloves, encouraging them to continue participating and letting their love and enthusiasm for serving the community take firm root in their hearts.
Wu realizes it was a journey to get to the moment of donating a fourth tiny home. To mark the triumphant occasion, amid applause and cheers, Tzu Chi and Hope Factory volunteers hung a banner on the wall of the Factory, identifying the Tzu Chi USA Seattle Branch as an active participant in the mission to address the housing needs of Seattle’s homeless population.
We worked very hard at first to get one or two, even three people to participate. Today, with so many people participating, I’m very touched, and I really look forward to more people joining. That banner represents that we’ve completed four tiny houses. But more importantly, it means that we are here and will continue to participate here.
The achievement was not only an important milestone for the Seattle Branch but also demonstrated the commitment of its volunteers to the Hope Factory and the needs of the Seattle community. They will continue to work hard, carrying selfless love and using their own two hands to create a force for change.
I love watching the moment when the Tzu Chi flag goes up. But what is most moving is watching boards turn into walls and walls stand up to form a house. That is the most joyful thing.
At the same time, by donating tiny houses, Tzu Chi volunteers can further immerse themselves in the community, providing comprehensive care to vulnerable groups. Tzu Chi volunteer Laura Chen has already made plans for next year, saying, “We hope this effort doesn’t stop here. Next year, we will continue. By then, Tzu Chi volunteers can start entering the community of tiny houses to care directly or indirectly for all the community’s residents. So, our current goal is both hardware and software… Everyone, let’s go!”
We invite you to participate in Tzu Chi’s humanitarian activities as a community volunteer. From helping build homes for unhoused neighbors to distributing charity aid for those in need or other efforts to make someone’s tomorrow better, you can discover the joy of volunteering with us!
