| | |
WHRC Partner Network Newsletter
Paving Pathways to Homeownership
| | What questions are Washington homebuyers and homeowners asking right now? In the first blog post of From the Director’s Desk, Elizabeth Perez shares what WHRC is hearing from communities across the state and how those questions help shape our work. | | From navigating the path to homeownership to finding support when challenges arise, these conversations offer a window into what Washington homeowners and homebuyers are experiencing. | | | | |
“Every day, dozens of people reach out to WHRC with questions about buying a home, staying in the home they already own, or figuring out what to do when something doesn’t go as planned.” →
| | | Strong partnerships help move homeownership work forward. This month, we’re highlighting the partners we’re collaborating with at the national and local levels, as well as partners making an impact across Washington. | | |
In partnership with LISC National and LISC Puget Sound, WHRC is participating in the 2026 Results for America Solutions Sprint, “Saving Homes Before They’re Lost: Preventing Heirs’ Property Loss and Resolving Tangled Titles.”
The seven-week sprint brings together local and state government, legal services, and community organizations to develop strategies for preventing heirs’ property loss and addressing tangled titles in Washington.
We’re grateful to LISC for the invitation to collaborate and for their leadership on this important homeownership issue.
| | | | | The mission of the Hills and Rivers Housing Trust is to create and preserve safe, inclusive, and affordable housing opportunities in keeping with the character of the community. | | | | | Northwest Access Fund offers people with disabilities customized loans, financial coaching, and other resources to promote access to assistive technology, independence, financial resilience, and life opportunities. | | | | | Palouse Habitat for Humanity helps bring the Palouse community together to meet our neighbors’ housing needs with integrity, compassion, sustainability and professionalism. | | | | | South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity believes everyone deserves a decent place to call home. South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity has been building homes and hope in Thurston County since 1989. | | | August was another impactful month of connecting homeowners and homebuyers across Washington with trusted information, resources, and support. Here’s a look at what we accomplished together. | | WHRC Virtual Homebuyer Info Sessions: | | In-Person Outreach Events: | | Referral Partner Outreach: | | Recent Highlights & Wins! | | Spokane Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership Resource Fair | | WHRC joined Habitat for Humanity Spokane's Homeownership Resource Fair, where Elizabeth connected with community members and shared information about WHRC’s homeownership resources and support. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity Spokane for bringing local housing organizations together to connect future and current homeowners with resources. | | WHRC was proud to participate in Bank On Washington 2026, with Evelin representing WHRC as an exhibitor both days. The event provided an opportunity to connect with community partners and share WHRC’s homeownership resources with attendees. | | |
Elizabeth joined housing and community development leaders from across Washington as a panelist at NCRC’s Reinvest Washington Summit in Tacoma. The conversation explored the challenges and opportunities shaping housing affordability, access to capital, homeownership, and community-led solutions across the state.
Read NCRC’s article to learn more about the summit and the partnerships helping move Washington’s housing work forward.
| | Reminder: More Homeowners Now Qualify for Property Tax Relief! | | |
Washington’s new property tax relief rules expand eligibility for many senior and disabled homeowners. Under ESSB 6162, income thresholds for the senior/disabled property tax exemption increased beginning August 1, 2026, with the new thresholds applying to 2027 property taxes. The thresholds increase from 50%/60%/70% of county median household income to 60%/70%/80%, respectively, potentially bringing more homeowners into the program.
The law also increases the amount of property value eligible for exemption for homeowners in the first two income tiers and makes changes to how income is calculated, including a new $7,500 standard deduction for the applicant (plus $7,500 for a spouse/domestic partner), a deduction of up to $6,000 for qualifying rental income from a primary residence, and exclusion of combat-related special compensation.
Homeowners who may now qualify for this program may apply via their county assessor. WHRC is also available via our hotline at 877-894-4663 to answer questions and refer homeowners to HUD-certified homeownership counselors who can help them navigate the application.
For more information, visit homeownership-wa.org/for-homeowners/property-tax-exemption-and-deferral-programs.
| | Washington Accelerator for Residential Production seeks your ideas for increasing the volume and speed of housing production | | | | The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting a series of virtual meetings to gather and discuss the next best state-level ideas to increase the volume and speed of housing development in Washington. This work is funded by a proviso in the 2026 capital budget. | | |
Between August 11, 2026, and February 10, 2027, The Washington Accelerator for Residential Production (WARP) will discuss housing incentives, regulations, permitting, innovate housing types and tenures, construction cost drivers, and other housing related topics to eliminate barriers to the development of rental and ownership housing.
Visit commerce.wa.gov/washington-accelerator-for-residential-production to see meeting dates, register to attend a meeting or sign up for notifications. Alternatively, you can contact project leaders with you best ideas by sending an email to Warp@commerce.wa.gov.
| | | | Spokane Homeowner Starts Rebuild After Fires | | | | Mortgage Rates Have Just Surpassed 7% for the First Time in Well Over a Year | | | | Washington State Could Lose $3 Billion in Community Development Investments With Proposed Changes To CRA, NCRC’s President and CEO Jesse Van Tol Says | | 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! | |
Tuesday, Oct 6 |12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Online
Tuesday, Oct 13 |12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Online
Tuesday, Oct 120 |12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Online
| | WHRC Referral Partner Info Sessions | 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. | |
Wednesday, Oct 7 |1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Online
Wednesday, Oct 28 |1:00 PM – 1:30 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! | Wednesday, Oct 14 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Online | | Housing Washington Conference 2026 | This year's event presents a comprehensive educational program, including special events and networking opportunities, designed to cultivate conversations, collaborations, and productive engagement to advance an affordable housing agenda that serves to break down barriers for people of color and others who have been systemically excluded. | Tuesday, Oct 20 - Thursday, Oct 22 | Located at: Spokane Convention Center | | Increasing and preserving homeownership in Washington state by serving as a hub for education, resources, and partnerships. | | | | |
