Homes for all Washingtonians

Introduction

The housing crisis in Washington is not a new phenomenon, nor is it unique to our state. Across the country, millions of families struggle to find and keep safe, stable, and affordable homes, while wealth inequality and racial disparities in housing continue to widen. However, the specific contours and challenges of Washington's housing landscape deserve close attention and targeted action.

Washington is a state of stark contrasts and deep inequities when it comes to housing. On one hand, we have vibrant urban centers like Seattle with booming real estate markets and luxury developments. On the other, we have disinvested neighborhoods and rural communities grappling with aging housing stock, population loss, and limited economic opportunities. This dichotomy reflects broader patterns of uneven development and segregation that have long characterized our state (Berk Consulting, 2020).

The numbers paint a sobering picture:

· Over 1.2 million Washington households (37% of the state total) are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing (Berk Consulting, 2020).

· There is a shortage of more than 156,000 affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters in Washington (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2021).

· The homeownership rate for Black households in Washington (31%) is less than half that of white households (65%) (National Equity Atlas, 2021).

· Over 22,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in Washington (Washington State Department of Commerce, 2021).

· In rural areas, nearly 50% of homes were built before 1970, with many lacking basic amenities and needing significant repairs (Berk Consulting, 2020).

Behind these statistics are real human stories - families doubling up in cramped apartments, seniors choosing between rent and medication, children facing frequent moves and school changes, and countless individuals unable to put down roots or build wealth through homeownership.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these long-standing housing challenges, while also exposing their deep connections to public health, economic security, and racial justice. As eviction moratoriums expire and emergency rental assistance funds are depleted, many Washington families face an uncertain housing future (Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, 2021).

Yet amidst these challenges, there are also reasons for hope. Across Washington, innovative housing solutions are taking root:

· Community land trusts in Seattle, Bellingham, and other cities are creating permanently affordable homeownership opportunities (Lubell, 2018).

· Tenant unions in Seattle, Tacoma, and other urban areas are organizing for stronger renter protections (The Alliance for Housing Justice, 2020).

·  Supportive housing providers are demonstrating the power of combining affordable homes with wraparound services for vulnerable populations (Sturtevant & Viveiros, 2016).

·  Rural housing rehabilitation programs are breathing new life into aging homes and revitalizing small towns (Cohen & Lubell, 2020).

· Inclusionary zoning policies in places like Seattle and Redmond are leveraging private development to create mixed-income communities (Berk Consulting, 2020).

These efforts, and many others highlighted throughout this book, show that positive change is possible when communities come together to demand and create housing justice.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for advancing affordable and equitable housing in Washington. It is grounded in the belief that safe, stable, and affordable housing is a fundamental human right, not a privilege reserved for the few. It recognizes that our current housing system is the product of deliberate policy choices and power structures that can - and must - be transformed (Beason, 2021).

Each chapter explores a different facet of Washington's housing landscape:

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the current state of affordable housing in Washington, grounding readers in key data and trends.

Chapter 2 delves into the historical and policy context that has shaped Washington's housing challenges, from the displacement of Native American tribes to redlining and urban renewal to more recent shifts in federal and state housing policy.

Chapter 3 examines the diverse regional housing markets across Washington, from the high-cost Seattle metro area to struggling rural communities in Eastern Washington.

Chapters 4 and 5 focus on rental housing and homeownership, respectively, exploring barriers to affordability and access as well as promising solutions.

Chapter 6 looks at the intersection of housing and community development, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive, place-based approaches.

Chapter 7 explores the critical connections between housing, health, and social services, highlighting innovative models for integrated support.

Chapter 8 examines the unique challenges of disaster resilience and climate adaptation for Washington's housing stock, particularly in coastal and wildfire-prone areas.

Chapter 9 tackles fair housing and racial equity, examining ongoing discrimination and strategies for promoting housing justice.

Chapter 10 explores the role of public housing authorities in Washington, highlighting innovative programs and partnerships.

Chapter 11 dives deep into financing mechanisms and incentives for affordable housing development, a critical piece of the puzzle.

Chapter 12 examines the potential of transit-oriented development to create more affordable, sustainable, and connected communities.

Chapter 13 analyzes the impact of the tech industry boom on Washington's housing market, particularly in the Seattle area, and explores strategies for mitigating displacement and promoting inclusive growth.

Chapter 14 addresses the unique housing needs of Washington's diverse communities, including Native American tribes, immigrant and refugee populations, and LGBTQ+ residents.

Chapters 15 and 16 explore the intersections of housing with education and healthcare, respectively, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing social determinants of health and opportunity.

Chapter 17 examines Washington's responses to housing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned for future crisis preparedness.

Chapter 18 looks at the future of work and its potential impacts on housing needs and patterns in Washington.

Chapter 19 outlines key policy recommendations and advocacy strategies for advancing affordable housing at the state and local levels.

Finally, Chapter 20 looks to the future, envisioning what a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape in Washington could look like.

Throughout the book, we center the voices and experiences of those most impacted by housing insecurity - low-income renters, communities of color, people with disabilities, seniors, and others who have been marginalized by our current housing system. Their stories and insights are essential to understanding both the human toll of our housing crisis and the grassroots solutions emerging to address it.

We also draw on a wide range of expert perspectives, from housing developers and policymakers to community organizers and academic researchers. By bringing together diverse viewpoints and areas of expertise, we aim to provide a holistic understanding of Washington's housing challenges and opportunities.

This book is intended for a broad audience:

·  Policymakers and elected officials seeking comprehensive data and policy recommendations to inform their work

·  Housing practitioners and developers looking for innovative models and best practices

·  Community organizers and advocates working to build power for housing justice

·  Students and researchers studying housing and urban policy

· Concerned citizens wanting to better understand and engage with housing issues in their communities

Our hope is that readers will come away with both a deeper understanding of the complexities of Washington's housing landscape and a sense of hope and possibility for creating change. While the challenges are daunting, the seeds of a more just and equitable housing future are already being planted across our state (Beason, 2021).

This book is not meant to be the final word on affordable housing in Washington, but rather a starting point for deeper dialogue, collaboration, and action. We invite readers to engage critically with the ideas presented here, to share their own experiences and insights, and to join in the collective work of building a state where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

The housing crisis in Washington is not inevitable. It is the result of specific policy choices, market forces, and power dynamics that can be changed. By working together across sectors and communities, centering those most impacted by housing injustice, and pushing for bold systemic change, we can create a housing landscape that reflects our highest values of equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity (Beason, 2021).

The time for transformative action on housing is now. Let this book serve as a call to action and a roadmap for the critical work ahead. The future of housing justice in Washington is ours to shape. Let's get to work.