2016 Advocacy Priorities

Alongside our 120+ members from private, public, and nonprofit sectors, HDC will advocate for the following priorities in 2016. We invite you to join us.

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Click here for a printer friendly version of our priorities, and click here for a list of our 2015 advocacy priorities or view our 2015 actions and accomplishments.

Fund Affordable Homes

Public funding is critical for the development of safe, healthy, affordable homes. In 2016, HDC will fight to fund affordable homes at all legislative levels. HDC supports the following goals:

Build Inclusive Communities

Inclusionary Housing policies are an effective, low cost tool to ensure modest wage workers are able to live affordably near transit and work rather than endure long, expensive and polluting commutes. In 2016, HDC will work to implement Inclusionary Housing policies across King County cities. HDC supports the following goals to build inclusive communities:

  • Implement a Residential Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program in Seattle
  • Enact and implement appropriate, effective Inclusionary Housing tools in rezones and station area plans across King County cities
  • Adopt strong Housing Strategy Plans across King County cities

Improve Health of Housing & Regional Collaboration in South King County

Affordable housing should always be safe and healthy for residents. Unfortunately, too many residents of South King County are living in substandard or poor condition homes. In 2016, HDC will support the following goals:

  • Develop the South King Housing & Homelessness Partnership (SKHHP)
  • Authorize a local Preservation Property Tax Exemption program

Protect low-income tenants

Low-income tenants face many barriers to finding and keeping a safe, healthy home. In 2016, HDC will support these efforts to protect tenants:

  • Enact statewide Source of Income Discrimination (SOID) protections
  • Pass Truth in Evictions legislation
  • Adopt Access to Housing legislation in Seattle

Support Seattle’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda

HDC applauds and supports Seattle Mayor Murray’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda. In 2016, HDC will work with housing, labor, environmental, business, and urbanist allies to enact the HALA agenda.

How does the process work? 

Each year, HDC solicits ideas to include in our Advocacy Priorities in order to serve our members in the development and provision of affordable housing. Member participation in creating this list and advocating for its priorities are vital to our advocacy success. HDC asks that membership submits priorities requests by mid-summer in order to review proposed priorities with our Policy Advisory Group and presents priorities to the board and members for approval every fall.