Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing the City of Olympia Joining the Black Home Initiative
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim February 11 as Black Home Initiative and Homeownership Equity Day.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim February 11 as Black Home Initiative and Homeownership Equity Day.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Corey Orvold, BHI Core Leadership Team
Background and Analysis:
The Black Home Initiative (BHI) began its efforts in 2021 with a geographic focus on South Seattle, South King County, and North Pierce County. Their 5-year goal is to support 1,500 Black low-to-moderate income households in purchasing their first home. At this time, there are over 100 entities who have signed a partner pledge to participate in the BHI network. The network is comprised of many different stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, housing developers, lenders and other financial institutions, state agencies and local jurisdictions, real estate professionals, real estate groups like Zillow, philanthropic organizations, and others.
The BHI utilizes an impact network model, where there is not one organization leading the effort, but a multisector collaborative effort to work on many facets of the issue, such as policy formation, homeowner education and support, and lending policies. The BHI is convened by Civic Commons, a non-profit furthering civic leadership by bringing together existing networks and evolving decision-making structures to drive cross-sector collaboration.
The City of Olympia has joined Thurston County partners in the nonprofit and government sectors, real estate groups and financial institutions, to join the work of the Black Home Initiative. Olympia has signed the BHI partner pledge and will commit to supporting BHI's efforts to increas...
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