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Brookings Fellow Andre Perry explains how there is nothing wrong with Black people that ending racism can’t solve, and why we must work to overcome inequalities by countering the policy-based devaluation of the Black community. Catch Andre's session at this year's Housing Washington virtual conference, Finding Value in Lives & Property Amid a National Pandemic.

Courtesy of Housing Washington 2020 Platinum Sponsor: Hilltop Securities Few would have guessed that the housing sector (mostly flat for years) would spike amid widespread unemployment, political uncertainty, tightening credit conditions and rising mortgage delinquencies, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Existing home sales, which represent about 85% of the market, rose +14.6% in June, a record +24.7% in July and another +2.5% in August to climb above the 6 million annualized unit pace for the first time since late 2006. Read the full report.

Housing Washington has surpassed more than 600 registered for this year's virtual conference on Tuesday, October 6. Free to attend, register today to get connected into affordable housing industry learning, engagement, and to make connections across the sector. Register today. https://buff.ly/2ZV4FJt

Building a Sense of 'We' and 'Why.' Meet Dr. Tiffany Manuel - or Dr.T as she prefers to be called - CEO of TheCaseMade. Dr. T works with hundreds of passionate social changemakers, innovators, and adaptive leaders around the U.S. who are building better, stronger communities that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Hear Dr. T "make the case for inclusive communities" as she opens this year's Housing Washington. Thank you to APB Speakers for sharing this clip of Dr. T discussing the importance of giving others a stake in your 'why.'

"What Gives Me Hope." Seattle based speaker and author Ijeoma Oluo defines racism as "bias or prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity that is based in systems of power." Learn more about Ijeoma and find out what is giving her hope in this short video, courtesy of KING 5 News in Seattle, WA. Ijeoma will close this year's Housing Washington virtual conference with a dynamic keynote you won't want to miss.

Conference Program Offered Free of Charge in Innovative Virtual Format on October 6, 2020 Seattle, WA (Sept. 14, 2020) – Housing Washington, the leading affordable-housing conference in Washington state, is going virtual with a free, one-day educational event on Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is now open at www.housingwa.org. The program will offer a range of live and on-demand learning opportunities, aiming to attract a broad audience to engage in important conversations that drive housing solutions. The conference is offered free of charge this year, courtesy of industry conference sponsors who share a strong commitment to advancing affordable housing in Washington. Housing Washington is also committed to fostering racial equity and social justice across the affordable housing sector, which is reflected in the conference programming and presenters. “Housing Washington is an important annual gathering for our industry to learn and discuss critical issues around affordable housing in our state and across the nation,” said Steve Walker, executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, the lead presenting sponsor of Housing Washington. “By going virtual, we aim to remove financial constraints to attend and reach a wider array of participants.” “With this year’s unprecedented challenges—the pandemic, economic hardship, overdue focus on systemic racism—we have a lot to talk about,” he added. Two live keynoters, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, president & CEO of TheCaseMade, and Ijeoma Oluo, Seattle-based writer and speaker, bookmark a range of topical breakout sessions, all focusing on aspects of affordable housing issues during this COVID-19 pandemic and on the systemic racism highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement. Attendees can join one of 12 concurrent breakout sessions and can return post-event to view additional sessions in an on-demand format. “Thanks to our virtual format with both live and on-demand sessions, attendees won’t have to miss any session that interests them,” says Walker. “They can also share the on-demand sessions with their teams, extending the opportunities for conversations beyond a typical in-person conference of some 850 attendees.” The event includes a virtual exposition of exhibitors, recognition of extraordinary people and organizations that are positively impacting Washington state’s affordable housing industry, and opportunities to connect and network. Attendance is free, however registration is required to attend the event or view on-demand sessions post-event. Through a special cross-event collaboration, Housing Washington attendees can also extend their learning at the Conference on Ending Homelessness (COEH), which takes place October 7-8. Housing Washington registrants will receive a special code to enjoy a discount on their COEH registration. For details on the COEH conference visit www.wliha.org/conference. Housing Washington 2020 Program Opening Live Keynote: Making the Case for Inclusive Communities, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, President & CEO, TheCaseMade Concurrent Breakout Sessions: B1: Finding Value in Lives & Property Amid a National Pandemic, Andre Perry, Bookings Institution B2: Interface of Housing & Rental Markets, Dr. James Young, University of Washington B3: Fair Housing in a COVID Environment, Adria Buchanan, Fair Housing Center of Washington B4: Rural Housing in the Face of COVID-19, Marty Miller, Office of Rural & Farmworker Housing B5: Advancing Affordable & Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Patience Malaba, Housing Development Consortium B6: Moving our Missions Forward: Grounding your Message in Racial Justice, Amy Clark, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW B7: Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Designed to End Racism, Thomas Stagg, Novogradac B8: Voter Suppression, National Election & Impacts on Housing Rights, David Bradley, National Community Action Foundation B9: Bending the Curve of Homelessness – Solutions for a Post-Covid World, Dilip Wagle, McKinsey & Company B10: Housing Underproduction in Washington, Dr. Michael Wilkerson, ECONorthwest B11: Black Millennials to Homeownership with “The House then the Car” Initiative, Antoine Thomas, National Association of Real Estate Brokers B12: Developing a Continuum of Housing Options for the Behavioral Health Population, Melodie Pazolt, Health Care Authority; Kira Schneider, Health Care Authority; Milena Stott, Fletcher Group; Melinda Trujillo, Health Care Authority Closing Live Keynote: Ijeoma Oluo, Seattle-based writer and speaker Virtual Conference Sponsors Top level sponsors contributing to Housing Washington 2020 include Hilltop Securities, Chase, Heritage Bank, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Banner Bank, Beacon Development Group, Capital One Bank, Enterprise/Bellwether Enterprise, KeyBank, Loveridge Hunt & Co. PLLC, R4 Capital, Walsh Construction Co., Umpqua Bank, and ZBA Architecture, along with a host of additional sponsors, and nonprofit and governmental supporting organizations. About Housing Washington Housing Washington is Washington state’s most significant resource for affordable housing guidance, innovation, and solutions. Led by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, the 27th annual conference is designed to enhance the skills, vision, and understanding of professionals working in affordable housing in Washington state and challenges them to work toward racial equity and social justice. www.housingwa.org. Media Contact Catherine Filippini Housing Washington catherine@housingwa.org # # #

Online Events Scheduled for Tuesday, October 6 through Thursday, October 8 (SEATTLE, WA) The Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance today announced the transition of their respective annual conferences, Housing Washington and the Conference on Ending Homelessness, to virtual gatherings this fall. “Because we cannot predict how this health crisis may affect the region in the coming months, it was clear that an in-person gathering would not be prudent,” said Steve Walker, executive director of the Housing Finance Commission. “Despite the difficult circumstances, we are excited that a virtual setting is an opportunity for an even more inclusive and equitable conference. We hope to attract new attendees with the same quality of programming that longtime participants have come to expect.” “The future of large-scale events remains uncertain,” agreed Rachael Myers, executive director of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. “Our planning team aligns with the Commission’s approach and believes that an online format of content ensures we won’t miss delivering opportunities for learning, networking, advocacy, and community building in our efforts to end homelessness.” Housing Washington will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. The event will be free to attend, removing budgetary barriers and expanding access through on-demand platforms, webinars, and live sessions. Programming will focus on impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism on the affordable housing industry and on people and communities. The Conference on Ending Homelessness will take place Wednesday and Thursday, October 7-8, just following Housing Washington. Adjusted registration rates will be announced in the coming weeks and a special discount will be extended to Housing Washington registrants. The live event will offer attendees meaningful exchange, shared advice, inspiration, and opportunities to engage in, and expand, the movement to end homelessness in Washington and beyond. This year’s transition also meant a modification to the planned collaboration between Housing Washington and the Conference on Ending Homelessness, which was to debut this fall with a shared venue and overlapping programming. Instead, in 2020, both events will cross-promote respective virtual programming and look forward to the launch of a formal partnership in the fall of 2021. Updated details and information on registration, sponsorships, and scholarships for both events will be posted in the coming weeks on the respective websites at www.housingwa.org and www.wliha.org/conference. About Housing Washington Housing Washington, led by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, enhances the skills, vision, and understanding of professionals working in affordable housing in Washington state and challenges them to work toward racial equity and social justice. www.housingwa.org. About the Conference on Ending Homelessness The Conference on Ending Homelessness is an annual event that brings together over 600 people from across the state who are working to end homelessness for learning, networking, advocacy, and community building opportunities. Together, we learn from each other, exchange ideas and share advice, get inspired and re-energized, and organize to grow the movement to end homelessness in Washington and beyond.

October 4, 2019 (SEATTLE) — The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has honored seven individuals and organizations as 2019 “Friends of Housing.” The awardees from across the state ensure affordable homes and support services for thousands of Washington residents. They also work toward funding, policies and programs to ensure affordable housing into the future. “We are proud to honor those who have dedicated their careers to creating and preserving affordable homes for everyone,” said Karen Miller, chair of the Housing Finance Commission. “This year’s awardees are truly inspiring.” The awards were presented October 1 in a ceremony at the annual Housing Washington conference in Spokane. Read the full press release.

Are you wondering about the 2020 Census? Washington State's Office of Financial Management's website has the information you need to know. Visit OFM's website for full details and download these at-a-glance resources: What's at Stake for Washington What You Need to Know Why Everyone Counts How to Spot a Census Scam Why Responding is Safe and Important

Communicating about housing can be challenging. 2019 Housing Washington keynote speaker, Anat Shenker-Osorio of ASO Communications recommends Messaging this Moment: A Handbook for Progressive Communicators as a reference to reset our thinking for more effective messaging. Download the handbook. Find additional communication resources on Anat's website at asocommunications.com. and tune into her podcast Brave New Words. Listen now.

Are you new to the affordable housing industry? Do you wonder what all the industry acronyms mean? Or maybe you've been in your role a few years, but still feel lost in emails and conversations using the acronym speak? Worry no more... help has arrived. With thanks to Beacon Development Group, you now have a handy guide to many of the most common used affordable housing acronyms in the industry. Download this helpful print guide that you can bring with you to Housing Washington and keep in your bag for future meetings and events.

SEATTLE, Wash (July 13, 2017) – Presenters of Housing Washington 2017, the leading affordable housing conference in the Pacific Northwest, today announces keynote presenters for its October 2th – 4th conference at the Spokane Convention Center. Kicking off the conference is Anat Shenker Osorio of ASO Communications, who will speak to “The Power of the Message,” helping advocates and policy makers understand the importance of and techniques for messaging to expand affordable housing. Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, will present the luncheon address on day one, representing the organization dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. Yentel will share NLIHC’s latest findings with the anticipated 750 conference attendees. Opening the conference on day two is a duo of Chris Estes, executive director of the National Housing Conference, and James Carr of the Roosevelt Institute. As advocates working day-to-day on the Hill to shape policy and budgets, they will address the national budget and its impacts on housing. Closing the conference on October 4 is Suellen Henderson, vice president for Habitat for Humanity in the US and Canada. She will provide a perspective of the work of this global self-help housing organization, driven by the belief that everyone needs a decent place to live. Since its inception in 1976 as a grassroots effort, Habitat for Humanity now works in more than 1,300 U.S. communities and more than 70 countries. “We could not be more delighted with the lineup of keynote presenters for the conference this year,” says Deputy Director Paul Edwards of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, the leading sponsoring organization of the conference. “Each of these dynamic speakers will bring valuable insights and energy to the conference to both inform and inspire our attendees to go back to their work of preserving and enhancing affordable housing for all.” Housing Washington 2017 is set for October 2 – 4, 2017 at the Spokane Convention Center. One of the largest regional conferences in the country, the event is presented by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. Conference sponsorships and scholarships are available. www.housingwa.org. # # # Media Resources • Keynote Speaker Photos • Facebook: /HSNGWA • Twitter: @HSNGWA