| | |
WHRC Partner Network Newsletter
Paving Pathways to Homeownership
| | 🎉 Hispanic Heritage Month is Here! | | From September 15–October 15, we celebrate the traditions, cultures, and achievements of Hispanic communities. | | |
At WHRC, this celebration is personal. We are proud to be Latina-led and deeply connected to the communities we serve.
We know that access matters. That’s why we’re dedicated to expanding the resources and materials available in Spanish, so every family has trusted guidance on their path to homeownership.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch a dedicated website landing page for Spanish-language resources and supports—making it even easier for families to find the tools they need. We’ll share more updates soon as the page gets closer to launch!
In the meantime, you can already find many of these Spanish resources on our website’s Referral Partner page—where you can explore and share them with your network and the clients you serve.
| | 🎉 Congratulations, Elizabeth Perez! | | |
We’re excited to share that Elizabeth Perez has been appointed as WHRC’s new Executive Director! | |
Elizabeth joined WHRC as Deputy Director in 2022, bringing with her lived experience of how homeownership can transform families—having grown up in a low-income household where it provided stability and a path out of poverty.
With a background as an educator and administrator, she has spent her career supporting communities historically underserved by education systems, always centering equity and community building. Now, as Executive Director, Elizabeth is bringing that same passion and expertise to leading WHRC’s mission of helping Washingtonians statewide attain and retain homeownership.
Please join us in congratulating Elizabeth on this well-deserved appointment—we look forward to the impact of her leadership!
|
| | From Hotline calls to workshops to community outreach, here’s a look at WHRC’s impact in August. | |
-
1,764 total calls from across Washington
- Top reasons for calling: Mortgage default, Home purchase information, Tax delinquency
-
Most calls came from: King, Pierce, and Spokane Counties
| |
- Raquel connected with 100 families at an in-person event in Pasco, WA
- Over 95 people attended our Pathways to Homeownership Information Sessions
| | Strengthening Our Network | |
-
3 partner info sessions hosted, bringing in 14 new referral partners
-
August Homeownership Services with a Racial Justice Lens (HSRJL) training welcomed 11 participants
| | |
New Affordable Homeownership Opportunity: Columbia City Condos
Together with Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King & Kittitas Counties, we’re supporting the launch of Liberty Commons, a 58-unit affordable condo community in Columbia City opening for applications Oct.1. This project is part of our shared Black Home Initiative commitment to expand Black homeownership in South Seattle, South King County, North Pierce County, and Thurston County.
| |
WHRC Partner, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties is accepting applications for homes in Columbia City through their affordable first-time homebuyer program! Liberty Commons is a 58-unit condo building just 2 blocks south of the Columbia City light rail station and walking distance to many local restaurants and shops.
Liberty Commons:
- Unit sizes: Studio, 1BR, & 2BR
- Pricing: 1% down payment and monthly payments of $1,200-$3,000 (includes mortgage, property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and HOA dues)
- Address: 5022 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118
| | Explore our curated selection of resources, articles, and more! | | Crowdfunded Real Estate Projects Bring in Community Investors | Learn more about how communities are using crowdfunding to co-invest in local real estate projects, an innovative model that could inspire new ways to support affordable housing. | | Here's what happens when private equity buys homes in your neighborhood | Discover how corporate ownership could be aiding broader rental trends and what this means for our communities. | | New study proposes thousands of market-rate housing units for downtown Spokane | Explore this new housing action plan calling for 3,200 market-rate units downtown. | | Civic Commons: The Comprehensive and Scalable Starter Home Production Plan | |
Civic Commons has released the 2025 Comprehensive and Scalable Starter Home Production Plan, outlining preliminary policy recommendations and resourcing needs to expand starter home production across Washington.
Download the full report here and visit the website to learn more about this important initiative.
| | |
Meet Lee Pierce, WHRC’s Board Treasurer and Chief Lending Officer at Seattle Credit Union. His 30+ years of financial expertise help guide WHRC’s growth and impact in expanding homeownership across Washington. | |
What inspired you to join the WHRC board?
My decision to join the WHRC board stems from the close alignment between WHRC’s mission to increase and preserve homeownership and the work I’m routinely engaged in at Seattle Credit Union.
| |
What personal experiences drive your passion for our mission?
Hearing firsthand from first-time homebuyers and underserved community members who once believed homeownership was an unattainable dream. Witnessing them embark on the journey of building generational wealth is incredibly motivating. These stories resonate deeply with me, fueling my drive to contribute.
| |
How do you see WHRC’s impact on our communities?
The impact of WHRC on our communities is profound. WHRC functions as a comprehensive housing resource ecosystem, offering indispensable education and resources not only to first-time homebuyers but to existing homeowners as well. This holistic approach ensures that we support our communities in a meaningful and sustainable manner.
| |
What motivates you to keep contributing?
What keeps me motivated to continue contributing is the persistent need for this type of education. As the cost of homeownership continues to rise, and the challenges associated with affordable housing grow, the demand for WHRC services becomes increasingly critical. Being part of the solution to these pressing issues is both a responsibility and a privilege.
| |
Any advice or wisdom you’d share with future board members?
Remain steadfast in their commitment to the WHRC mission. The impact of our work is far-reaching and transformative, and it is through our collective efforts that we can continue to make a difference.
|
| | |
Housing WA Sun, Sept 28 - Tues, Sept 30
We’re proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Housing WA Conference! Stop by our booth to connect with the WHRC team, learn more about our programs, and discover new resources we’re rolling out. It’s a great chance to meet our staff, ask questions, and share ideas about expanding homeownership opportunities across Washington.
With Housing WA just around the corner, we asked our team what they’re most excited about this year’s conference:
| | | | |
"I’m excited for this year’s Housing WA! Connecting face-to-face with everyone at WHRC is always such a joy, and I can't wait to celebrate the incredible dedication and achievements of our hotline staff with everyone. Let’s make it a fantastic event together!"
– Raquel
| | | | |
"I would say that I’m most excited to see everyone from WHRC and the other organizations-in person! And for the speakers and tracks."
– Kari
| | | | |
"I can't wait to hear all the presentations and mingle with all the people."
– Susanna
| | | | |
"This being my first Housing WA, I'm really excited to meet familiar faces and new faces as well. I'm also looking forward to attending the different workshops and learning more about homeownership in Washington state."
– Jasmine
| | | | |
"I am looking forward to seeing our entire team in person, taking in the valuable conference sessions, and of course, eating as many foods on a toothpick as possible at the receptions I attend on Monday night!"
– Kristen
| | | | |
“I am looking forward to co-hosting a Learning Lab on Tuesday morning at Housing Washington, where my colleagues Marty Kooistra (Civic Commons) and Dom Remy (1Drop) will share exciting updates about the Black Home Initiative and our network’s collective impact so far.”
– Elizabeth
| | 2025 Housing WA Conference | | Will you be at Housing Washington? This conference brings together housing professionals from across the state to build skills, spark collaboration, and advance racial equity and social justice in affordable housing. | | Sun, Sept 28 - Tue, Sept 30 | Bellevue, Washington | | 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! | | |
Tues, Oct 7 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Tues, Oct 21 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
| | 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! | |
Wed, Oct 8 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Wed, Oct 22 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
| | WHRC and BSF: Homeownership Services with a Racial Justice Lens Training | | Join us for a virtual training experience where you will learn about homeownership inequalities and explore a brave space of new homeownership opportunities! | | Wed, Oct 8 & Thurs, Oct 9 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | | Educating and empowering current and future homeowners in Washington State. | | | | |
