This election season provides voters an opportunity to vote on important national and state candidates races as well as statewide initiatives.

Bellingham voters also have another new and important opportunity this year, to vote on Proposition 1, Low Income Housing Levy that will create the Bellingham Home Fund. The Home Fund provides multiple benefits for all Bellingham citizens.

A yes vote for the Home Fund will help support development of affordable housing in Bellingham by both private developers and nonprofits, create construction jobs and investments in the local economy. The Home Fund includes a home repair program that will help seniors with limited incomes remain in their homes and in their neighborhoods.

Another important outcome of a yes vote is the Home Fund will create affordable housing close to where the jobs are. Families with limited incomes benefit from living close to where they work, reducing their daily transportation and childcare costs and gives parents more time with their children. Reducing transportation and childcare costs also gives families more income to meet other family needs.

Families living close to where they work reduces the societal costs of overcrowded roads, reduces air pollution and carbon emissions. As a property owner/landlord in Bellingham and executive director of Opportunity Council I support Proposition 1 Bellingham Home Fund.

David W. Finet

Everson