Health Through Housing Advisory Committee

The HTH Advisory Committee is a 12-to-16-member group that advises the King County Executive and King County Council on current and future implementation of the HTH initiative. In addition to providing guidance, the committee is responsible for: 

• Reviewing the initiative’s performance data 
• Providing annual certification of the HTH Dashboard 
• Reporting annually to the King County Council and the community at large on the expenditures, accomplishments, and effectiveness of the HTH Initiative

In alignment with our commitment to center the voices of those most impacted by chronic homelessness, at least 50% of the HTH Advisory Committee is comprised of individuals who self-identify as having lived experience of homelessness. All committee members reside in King County and demonstrate a track record of allyship and advocacy for equitable, affordable, and supportive housing in our region. 

Recruitment 

In 2022, King County conducted a robust recruitment process to ensure sufficient diversity of representation of individuals residing in all regions of King County. Outreach included public-facing posts in King County’s and Boards and Commissions’ websites, communication to over 50 community-based agencies, coalitions, boards, and committees with a focus on human services or housing. Solicitation of nominations and feedback on recruitment methods from City Councils, City Managers and Mayors serving our region was also extended.

All appointments to the HTH Advisory Committee are made by the King County Executive and confirmed by the King County Council. Committee members will be announced in May 2023.

Advisory Committee Members

Elizabeth Archambault found permanent housing stability at the Jensen Block Apartments in Seattle. Since moving there in 2017, Elizabeth planted a community garden that is now a gathering place for neighbors to not only harvest seasonal vegetables, but to also engage in issues impacting their neighborhood and the larger Seattle community.

Lena Bernal is a biracial single mother of five children. Drug free for nine years, Lena is building a housing support program for people experiencing housing instability, and volunteers as a certified support group facilitator for women in transitional housing.

Brook Buettner is the inaugural Executive Director of the Regional Crisis Response Agency, which deploys services to people experiencing behavioral health crisis in the north King County community.  An experienced human services professional, Brook is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters in Public Administration and Social Work from the University of Washington.

Avon Curtis is a single mother and founder of Arms Around You (AAY) - a reentry resource program. A Certified Manager of Housing through the National Center for Housing Management, Avon has over 20 years of experience in the field of Residential Management and Case Management.

Tulika Dugar lives in Bellevue and supports South Asian communities helping to heal survivors of domestic violence and housing instability. Tulika also volunteered at The Sophia Way, a nonprofit providing holistic resources for women experiencing homelessness.

Isadora Eads is an officer with the Washington Student Council on Reentry (WA SCoR), a community-based grassroots effort of currently and formerly incarcerated higher-ed students who are breaking down barriers and building access to reentry and resources. Isadora also serve as an Advocacy Program Coordinator with a nonprofit in King County for young people experiencing housing insecurity.

Febben Fekadu resides in Seattle and spent the last six years addressing the vulnerabilities that her community is facing, including immigration issues, education, domestic violence, and lack of institutional investment.

Marissa Fitzgerald was born and raised in Skyway. Marissa began her anti-poverty and anti-racist work nearly 10 years ago as a student at Washington State University. Marissa has a background in community and social services, program management, and policy analysis.

Sean Healy is a father to four kids. As a previous member of the White Center Community Development Association and Chairman for the White Center South Delridge Safety Coalition, Sean enjoys working side-by-side with those in his community to make it a safe and thriving environment for everyone.

Krystal Marx is a lifelong Washingtonian, out bisexual woman, and proud mother of four children. Krystal served on the Burien City Council from 2018 – 2021, where she was also Deputy Mayor for two years (2019 - 2022). Krystal is currently the Vice President of Business Operations for the Seattle Seawolves major league rugby team.

Sarah Stewart lives in Shoreline and worked closely with the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) to implement more equitable changes to their policies and procedures. Sarah was also a member of the King County Eviction Prevention Rent Assistance Program (EPRAP) Committee.

Da’mont Vann is a Case Manager for PDA Co-Lead and works with individuals that are chronically homeless. Previously, Da’mont worked for the Thunderbird Treatment Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, and King County’s Healthcare for the Homeless Network.

Barbara Walker is a Kent resident and graduate of Seattle Central Colleges Social and Human Services program.