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WHRC Partner Network Newsletter
Paving Pathways to Homeownership
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Registration is now open for the 2026 Washington State Affordable Homeownership Forum!
This year’s Closer to Home theme centers on bringing our work more intentionally into communities, with a focus on how our statewide network can collaborate to drive meaningful engagement and measurable impact for homebuyers and homeowners across Washington.
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Last year, we tripled attendance, welcoming 285 partners from across the state—and this year, we’re building on that momentum by offering the Forum free of charge, making it more accessible and opening the door for even more partners to participate.
Join us on Zoom, Tuesday from 10 AM - 2 PM to align, learn, and strengthen how we engage communities throughout the year.
| | From answering hotline calls to increasing website traffic and reaching communities statewide, here’s our February impact. | | WHRC Homebuyer Info Sessions: | | |
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Users
(+87% increase from Jan)
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Increase in Contact Form Views |
| | A big thank you to Seattle Credit Union and Civic Commons for their support, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with TPC Habitat for Humanity, expanding access to affordable homes in Pierce County. | | |
Thank You to
Seattle Credit Union!
| Mil Gracias, Seattle CU: We’re excited to partner with Seattle Credit Union, whose $5,000 annual sponsorship supports our growing homeownership outreach in Central and Eastern Washington. Their commitment helps us expand bilingual services to meet rising demand and support more families in achieving and sustaining homeownership. | | | |
Thank You to
Civic Commons!
| We’re grateful to Civic Commons and the Seattle Foundation for their $22,000 investment supporting our work with the Black Home Initiative’s Faith Ambassador Program, expanding homeownership outreach across the Puget Sound region. Together, we’re building stronger pathways to equitable homeownership in our communities. | | | |
Pathways to Homeownership with TPC Habitat for Humanity
Our partners at TPC Habitat for Humanity are expanding access to affordable homeownership in Pierce County through their Homebuyer Program.
With homes priced under $300,000, down payments as low as $3,000, and estimated monthly costs starting around $1,600 (including taxes and insurance), this program offers a more attainable path to ownership through a restricted resale/land lease model. Eligible buyers must meet income and credit requirements and complete homebuyer education.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with your communities and invite them to learn more by signing up for a free Homeowner Orientation.
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Protecting Homeownership: Se Habla Media & WHRC
Catch our interview with Se Habla Media on Facebook and YouTube featuring our very own Raquel Munguia. As part of our ongoing foreclosure prevention outreach, Raquel shares practical guidance on protecting homeownership, steps to take if homeowners begin facing mortgage challenges, and where to connect families to trusted, free resources.
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Washington Law Eliminates Mortgage Lender Tax Break to Fund Wildfire Prevention
A new law removes a tax break for large mortgage lenders, redirecting funds to wildfire prevention. See how this change could affect homeowners and local communities.
Read More
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Washington Expands Property Tax Relief
A new law expands and simplifies property tax relief, allowing more older homeowners to qualify. See how this could help more homeowners stay housed.
Read More
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Cohousing Promises Lower Costs. Why Hasn’t It Worked in the US?
Cohousing can lower costs and foster community, but high buy-in and development hurdles limit its U.S. growth. Learn more about the barriers and opportunities in cohousing.
Read More
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Oil Prices and Global Tensions Push Mortgage Rates Higher
Rising oil prices amid ongoing global conflict have increased inflation expectations and Treasury yields, which in turn are pushing U.S. mortgage rates higher, affecting borrowing costs for homebuyers.
Read More
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Feds launch probe into Washington program to redress housing discrimination
Federal officials are investigating Washington’s Covenant Homeownership Program over its eligibility criteria. Read more to stay informed.
Read More
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Women Homebuyers: Myths vs. Reality
Common assumptions about women homebuyers don’t match the data—women are an increasingly powerful force in today’s housing market despite ongoing barriers. Learn more about what the data shows.
Read More
| | Recent Wins & Highlights! | | Senator Orwall signs SB 5938 | | |
As we close out the 2026 legislative session, we want to extend our sincere thanks to each of you across our statewide network for your advocacy, leadership, and persistence. Your bill sign-ins, testimony, and engagement made a real difference in shaping policies that support homeownership in Washington. Together, we secured important wins for sustaining existing homeowners, including SB 5938 (Foreclosure Prevention Fee) and SB 6162 (Property Tax Exemption Expansion), both critical tools to help keep Washingtonians in their homes.
WHRC is a proud member of the Black Home Initiative, and we want to uplift the incredible work of the BHI Policy Network, whose collective efforts helped drive multiple wins across the key priority areas of Funding, Land Acquisition & Value Capture, Cost Reduction, and Zoning & Regulatory Reform.
For a complete list of BHI’s 2026 policy priorities and wins, click here!
| | Celebrating Women at WHRC: Stories & Reflections | | As Women’s History Month comes to a close, our WHRC team reflects on the women who inspire them most and why their impact matters to them. | | "Judith Heumann from her work with the Americans With Disabilities Act." | "I have 3 — My mom and my two girls. My mom because she made sure I was always taken care of even when she wasn't. And then for my two girls - they just inspire me to be and do better every day. " | | |
"When I think of celebrating remarkable women, my thoughts immediately turn to my mother, Aurora Munguia, who inspires me every single day. My mom is the sweetest and kindest person I know, as well as the hardest worker.
She loves helping others and does so without a moment's hesitation. Throughout my upbringing, she instilled in me the importance of family, love, compassion, and our faith. I watched her care for our family with incredible devotion, and she even opened her heart and home to foster children for many years, many of whom still keep in touch with her. Her genuine kindness leaves a lasting impression in everything she does. She has shown me the incredible power women have to create change, starting from within the family. Thank you, Mom, for everything you are and all that you do."
| | | Free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar (Spanish) | Help aspiring homebuyers get started—share this Spanish-language seminar hosted by El Centro de la Raza, designed to guide participants through the homebuying process and support them on their journey to homeownership. | Sat, Mar 28 | 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM |Location: El Centro de la Raza | | Free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar | Help aspiring homebuyers take the next step—share this First-Time Homebuyer Seminar hosted by Washington Trust Bank, Tacoma Tool Library, and Windermere Real Estate, designed to guide participants through every stage of the homebuying journey and make homeownership more attainable. | Sat, Apr 4 | 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM |Location: Tacoma Tool Library | | WHRC Referral Partner Info Session | Interested in learning more about WHRC and how you or your organization can partner with us? Join us for an upcoming Referral Partner Information Session. | Tue, Apr 7| 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Online | | WHRC Homebuyer Information Session (English) | Help aspiring homeowners statewide take the first step—invite them to join our homebuyer information session and start their journey to homeownership! | Thur, Apr 9| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Online | | WHRC Homebuyer Information Session (Spanish) | Help aspiring homeowners statewide take the first step—invite them to join our homebuyer information session and start their journey to homeownership! | Wed, Apr 15| 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Online | |
NCRC Just Economy Conference and Hill Day 2026
WHRC’s Elizabeth and Raquel are excited to attend this year's annual event. They’ll be joining affordable housing and homeownership advocates from across the country. Will you be joining us too?
| | Educating and empowering current and future homeowners in Washington State. | | | | |
