Submitted by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will host an affordable housing panel presentation and public discussion on Monday, March 13. Panelists are Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher, County Housing and Community Services Department Director Mark Tompkins, Community Development Department Director Erika Shook and County Councilmember Rick Hughes.

All San Juan County residents are affected by our lack of affordable housing. Employers, workers, government, public and social services are all stressed by the housing problem. We risk damaging our quality of life and the fabric of our community unless we find solutions.

The league is committed to exploring what steps we can take as a community to make sure safe and affordable housing is available for all the individuals and families who call our islands home.

The program is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. at the San Juan Island Grange No. 966. Everyone is welcome. The program is scheduled to accommodate inter-island ferry travel. The San Juan Island Grange is three blocks from the Friday Harbor ferry landing. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

For further information, go to www.lwvwa.org or visit the local chapter on Facebook.