As 2023 comes to a close, our Pacific Northwest team would like to share some highlights from this year. From catalyzing the development of affordable housing to supporting the creation of new early learning centers, our team worked diligently to support equitable communities. This work could not have been done without our partners and funders who share our mission to create a better, more affordable future for all.
Catalyzing Housing Production
Through predevelopment and feasibility grants supported by public and private funding sources, our housing team catalyzed affordable housing production across Washington and supported our nonprofit and faith-based partners statewide.
Our team was thrilled to celebrate several groundbreakings and grand openings for projects we’ve supported, including:
- The Rise on Madison/Blake House (Bellwether Housing & Plymouth Housing)
- Martha’s Place (Catholic Housing Services)
- 13th & Fir Family Housing (SCIDpda, Community Roots Housing)
- Trailview (Mercy Housing Northwest)
- Elizabeth Thomas Homes (FAME EAW & Catholic Housing Services)
- Four Amigos – Beloved Community (El Centro de la Raza)
- Madrona Highlands (Housing Hope)
We look forward to deepening our impact and continuing to celebrate partner progress in 2024.
Investing in Early Learning
The early learning facilities team built significant momentum in 2023. The Washington Early Learning Loan (WELL) Fund continued its support of early learning providers, nonprofit organizations, and affordable housing developments co-located with early learning centers.
Earlier this year, we announced the first round of 10 grantees utilizing nearly $2 million of King County’s Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) General Childcare Facilities Fund for the expansion of early learning facilities from Auburn to Redmond. In the fall of 2023, we launched the second PSTAA RFP with new grantees to be announced in early 2024.
Along with a new round of grantees, 2024 will also see the launch of new capacity-building programs for BIPOC-led and -owned organizations that are working toward new facility development.
Building Partner Capacity
Investing in our community partners is our priority. This year, the Pacific Northwest team supported a diverse cross-section of community organizations addressing the needs of low-income residents in urban, rural, and Tribal communities in Washington and Oregon. The HUD Section 4 grant program continues to be a great resource of capacity building and technical assistance support for our Pacific Northwest partners.
In Oregon, Bridge Meadows utilized their grant to enhance organizational capacity to replicate and expand upon their trauma-informed, innovative, affordable housing model, and in Washington, El Centro de la Raza used their grant to hire a new housing developer who will lead development activities at a new, affordable, mixed-use community in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood.
This spring, in partnership with Enterprise’s Building Resilient Futures team, we convened the West Coast Resilience Academy to help housing organizations prepare for the effects of climate change.
Looking toward 2024, we will continue to support capacity building efforts by our Pacific Northwest partners to address community needs and the preservation and development of equitable, affordable housing.
Supporting Policy Solutions
Washington needs more than 1 million new homes in the next 20 years, and more than half of them must be affordable to residents at the lowest income levels. Oregon needs over 550,000 new homes, a third of which must be affordable to households making less than 60% of statewide Area Median Income. Public resources are critical for building the affordable homes our communities need.
The Pacific Northwest Market supported Enterprise’s national advocacy efforts for the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) and the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act – both key federal priorities.
Thanks to the work of committed advocates, 2023 was a record year for public investment in housing supports for low-income residents. This year the Washington and Oregon State Legislatures invested a combined $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness support. Seattle voters renewed the Housing Levy, investing $970 million over the next seven years, and King County voters renewed the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy through 2029.
In other community development policy wins, the Covenant Homeownership Act, a first-in-the-nation piece of legislation, works to redress the harm caused to communities of color by housing-related discrimination in Washington. The Washington Equitable Access to Credit Program will encourage businesses to direct a portion of their tax business and operations dues to initiatives that promote social equity, economic development, and community well-being.
Enterprise congratulates all the advocates who worked so hard to achieve these goals!
Expanding Our Impact
Program director Clarence Messler joined our Housing team in June, and program officer Savannah Daniels joined our Early Learning team in July. We’re thrilled to welcome Clarence and Savannah as we work to expand the impact that affordable homes and early learning opportunities have on communities throughout our region.
The Enterprise Pacific Northwest market team wishes you a safe and restful holiday season, and we look forward to our continued partnership in 2024!