CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION providing an honorary designation of Eastlake Avenue from Court Place to Denny Way as “Bill Hobson Way.”
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WHEREAS, Bill Hobson began working at the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) in 1984 and served as Executive Director since 1988; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hobson helped pioneer Housing First, a humane and effective approach to ending homelessness that has become a best practice approach promoted in national policy; and
WHEREAS, Bill Hobson was the driving force behind 1811 Eastlake, an award-winning housing project that provides a home for 75 people experiencing homelessness and chronic alcohol addiction, which is now a national model; and
WHEREAS, under Bill Hobson’s leadership, DESC received numerous awards, including the Best Practice Award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Exemplary Program Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and two awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing from MetLife and Enterprise Foundations; and
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2010, Bill Hobson was awarded with the Margaret M. Sevy Affordable Housing Lifetime Achievement Award for his unwavering commitment to the needs of people experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, under Bill Hobson’s leadership, DESC received the 2012 Non-Profit Sector Achievement Award from the National Alliance to End Homelessness for their ongoing efforts to end homelessness for those who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2015, Bill Hobson retired from DESC after 31 years of service; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council recognizes Bill Hobson’s tireless advocacy on behalf of individuals experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2016, Bill Hobson passed away at the age of 76, but will be remembered for his incredible and innovative work toward ending homelessness in Seattle and King County; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The portion of Eastlake Avenue between Court Place and Denny Way shall have an honorary designation as “Bill Hobson Way.”
Section 2. The Council requests that the Seattle Department of Transportation manufacture, install, and maintain honorary signs at the intersections of Court Place and Eastlake Avenue, and Denny Way and Eastlake Avenue, which shall reflect the “Bill Hobson Way” honorary designation.
Section 3. By this resolution, the Council does not intend to affect any existing or future signage that reflects the honorary designation of “Bill Hobson Way,” with the exception of the signs described in Section 2 of this resolution.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)