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Last year was one of massive growth and transition for South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP). As we take a moment to review 2022, it’s important to acknowledge that it is only through continued partnership between our member jurisdictions, collaboration with affordable housing developers, and support from passionate community members that SKHHP is able to advance the essential mission to increase and preserve affordable housing across South King County. We are so thankful for SKHHP’s many partners and know that this collaborative work would not get done without you.
Front and center as the most exciting accomplishment of 2022, was the establishment of the Housing Capital Fund since it has been building on work done in 2020 and 2021 to pool Substitute House Bill 1406 revenue for the development and preservation of affordable housing.
The Executive Board recommended SKHHP’s first two affordable housing projects funded with these combined resources totaling $1,393,308 in December. We are currently in the process of receiving approval from each participating member jurisdiction to use the funds each jurisdiction has already committed as required by our Interlocal Agreement.
While there were some bittersweet goodbyes in 2022, with Trish Abbate and Angela San Filippo departing after their passionate work to establish SKHHP, this provided the opportunity to welcome the new Executive Manager Claire Vanessa Goodwin and Program Coordinator Dorsol Plants to the team. SKHHP’s membership also grew with Maple Valley joining to become our eleventh member to advance quality, affordable housing in our region.
A key component of SKHHP is to create a unified voice for South King County on the issues of housing. To that end, SKHHP and six member cities were awarded Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 award in the “Working Together” category for the South King County Subregional Housing Action Framework. The cities that shared in this award alongside SKHHP included the cities of Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila.
Finally, SKHHP fulfilled its goals of creating educational opportunities on the complexities of housing by providing over ten informative presentations on housing-related topics at the Executive Board meetings. SKHHP staff also engaged in broader coalition and partnership meetings including the Housing Interjurisdictional Team, the South King County Joint Planners and Developers, the South King Housing Planners Group, the Black Home Initiative, and the King County Affordable Housing Committee to name a few.
While 2022 was an amazing year, we can’t wait to show you what 2023 brings. Each partner cities’ comprehensive plan work is underway, and down in Olympia we are seeing the legislative “Year of Housing.” Now is the perfect time to engage in this work and learn what is happening in your community.
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This month, the SKHHP Executive Board will be holding its first in-person meeting in years. We will gather in the Auburn City Council Chambers and hold our regular monthly meeting. A significant focus this month will be on the development of the 2024 SKHHP Work Plan. This essential document guides and defines our work on an annual basis. Once drafted and approved by the Executive Board, the Work Plan will be reviewed by our member jurisdictions for their input and approval. Please feel free to attend to learn more. If in-person isn’t your speed yet, the meeting will be in hybrid format and you can join using the regular Zoom link – information is provided at the end of the newsletter.
Last week, the Advisory Board held their monthly meeting and heard from Burien staff and members of the community on the Affordable Housing Demonstration Project. Burien allowed for flexibility with certain development regulations in exchange for the provision of affordable housing. The goal was to evaluate the results of the project to determine what changes might be made to better support the development of more housing.
The Advisory Board heard some of the lessons learned from the project, and from members of the community on ways to improve communication on essential housing projects. Next month they will hear from the Black Homeownership Initiative and the ways to increase homeownership in SKC.
2023 Terner Housing Innovation Lab
The Terner Housing Innovation Lab will be accepting applications until March 24, 2023. They are looking for innovators with bold new ideas to make housing more equitable, accessible, and sustainable. Each year, The Housing Lab selects four to six of the strongest for-profit and nonprofit applicants. Selected organizations receive up to $75,000 in seed money, six months of intensive coaching with national thought-leaders in housing innovation and entrepreneurship, and technical support to assist them as they navigate the complex regulatory and policy requirements that impact the housing industry. More information can be found here.
Emerald Cities HVAC Training Academy - Spring 2023
The HVAC/R Training and Career Preparation Academy creates opportunities in the Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry for women, veterans, low-income individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and BIPOC community members. The field of HVAC/R is experiencing growth and a regional worker shortage creating career opportunities in residential companies, commercial mechanical companies, property managers, and other firms that employ HVAC/R technicians/mechanics and building engineers. This training academy prepares individuals for new career opportunities in the industry as well as career advancement opportunities for individuals already in the field. More information can be found here.
HDC 35th Anniversary Celebration: Framing Our Future.
HDC is celebrating 35 years of impact in the affordable housing sector. They are tremendously proud of and humbled by the advances of their network. At their 2023 Annual Celebration you’ll hear from new leaders in the sector, celebrate outstanding achievements, and, most importantly, create the connections necessary to address the massive need for affordable housing in our region. To register for the event or to learn more go here.
The SKHHP Executive Board meets the 3rd Friday of every month from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Virtual and in-person attendance information and agenda packets can be found on the SKHHP website. Upcoming meeting dates are as follows:
- March 17 (in-person)
- April 21
The SKHHP Advisory Board meets on the first Thursday of every month from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Virtual and in-person attendance information and agenda packets can be found on the SKHHP website. Upcoming meeting dates are as follows:
Please email Dorsol Plants, Program Coordinator with questions or concerns.
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