HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM OF SEATTLE-KING COUNTY

The Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County (HDC) aims to realize our member-adopted vision that “all people throughout King County live with dignity in safe, healthy, and affordable homes." In practical terms, this means the continued creation, preservation, and operation of affordable housing that addresses the unique conditions residents face, and provides the supportive services and empowerment necessary for residents to thrive. It also means encouraging and preserving sound public policies that enable the most vulnerable to achieve financial and housing stability.

HDC exists to serve our 190 member organizations. To promote our shared vision, we:

- Use our collective voice to advocate for policies at the municipal, county, and state levels that foster inclusive, affordable communities and marshal ample sector-wide resources;

- Capitalize on our unique position to broker relationships among both our members and the broader community to promote business development and create the connections necessary for a robust sector; and

- Convene our members around topics and issues designed to increase member capacity and support the work of creating a more sustainable and comprehensive affordable housing movement.

We believe that large-scale social change comes from effective sector-wide coordination rather than from the isolated intervention of individual organizations. By bringing together organizations, government agencies, and businesses around shared values, we are better positioned to support the sector's ability to make a positive, community-wide impact.

Besides drawing upon the experience, talent and resources of our 190 members, HDC is fortunate to have a strong and experienced staff and committed board from which to launch our efforts on various fronts.

Our policy team is comprised of a Government Relations and Policy Manager and a Policy and Advocacy Manager, supported consultants and a portion of the Executive Director's time.

We have growing philanthropic support and a strong membership base to keep our financial footing solid.

Finally, we have the credibility that is necessary to tackle this challenging work, and continue to be the “go-to" representative of the affordable housing community in King County.

In 2021 HDC has worked at the state, regional, and local levels to implement our advocacy agenda and member services, engaging with our partners on our vision where all people live with dignity in safe, healthy, and affordable homes. Below are some highlights of our accomplishments:

Policy & Advocacy
• In partnership with the WA Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA), secured $350M of investments in affordable housing and homelessness in the capital budget.
• As part of the Sound Communities Committee, obtained an additional $500K for ETOD proviso for Sound Communities Pilot program from the State operating budget.
• Working with Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County and others, obtained an additional $350K for Black Homeownership Working Group from the State operating budget.
• Working with WLIHA and other allies, successfully advocated for inclusion in the State Operating Budget: $658M for rental assistance, $187M for foreclosure prevention, $72M for shelter and housing for people experiencing homelessness, and a $27M increase to the Housing and Essential Needs rental assistance program.
• Passed HB1189, working with the Washington Association of Cites, to allow property tax within financing areas to be collected for existing purposes-Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
• With WLIHA and Habitat for Humanity of Seattle-King County, secured the passage of SB5287, expanding MFTE to all cities and urban growth areas within any county with a population of at least 2 million.
• In partnership with the Coalition for More Housing Choices, HomeSight, the Washington Homeownership Resource Center, and others, initiated and launched the 7-point plan to advance Black Homeownership in the Puget Sound region.
• Obtained the provision of 10 vacant Sound Transit sites in the Rainier Valley area to be available at no-cost to the Seattle Office of Housing for the development of affordable homeownership.
• In partnership with WLIHA and SKCCH, successfully passed HB1236, creating Just Cause eviction protections statewide.
• Advocated alongside advocates from the Stay Healthy Stay Housed Coalition to pass Ordinance 2021-0131, creating countywide tenant protections.

Member Services
• Hosted our 12th year of the signature Leadership Development Survey Course (LDSC) program to 15 participants.
• Hosted our 6th Annual Affordable Housing Week with a week of virtual and timely programming.
• We launched year 3 of the Housing Development Internship Program (HDIP), placing 7 interns at 7 host agencies.
• HDC’s Exemplary Buildings Program delivered deep-dive trainings on the two most challenging new code requirements for multifamily buildings.
• HDC partnered with the City of Seattle to convene a task force to ensure that the City’s Building Performance Standards (BPS) policy process is informed by recommendations that deliver options to lower costs while addressing the climate crisis.