POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Advocacy for Increasing and PreservingAffordable Homeownership
Our Work in Advocacy
At the Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC), we believe that safe, stable, and affordable homeownership should be within reach for all Washingtonians. While our core work focuses on connecting people to trusted resources and education, we also recognize that lasting change requires strong policies and systems that support homeowners and homebuyers.
Our advocacy efforts are grounded in what we hear every day from homebuyers, homeowners, housing counselors and other critical service providers, as well as communities across the state. We work to elevate these voices and support policies that help increase and preserve homeownership statewide.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS
Homeownership is one of the most powerful tools for building stability and generational wealth. But too many Washington residents face barriers that make it harder to buy, keep, or maintain a home.
Thoughtful, equitable policy solutions can:
- Expand access to affordable homeownership opportunities
- Protect homeowners from displacement and foreclosure
- Support first-time and historically underserved homebuyers
- Strengthen communities across Washington
By engaging in advocacy, we can help ensure that the systems shaping homeownership work better for everyone.
OUR POLICY PRIORITIES
Strengthen rights, resources, and protections for homeowners at risk of losing their homes.
We support policies that help homeowners avoid foreclosure, including meaningful protections and resources for households facing mortgage, HOA/COA, or property tax foreclosure. We support accessible intervention, counseling, mediation, and tools like the statewide hotline, that give homeowners a fair opportunity to resolve financial challenges and preserve homeownership.
Preserve and strengthen the programs, funding, and tools that help people achieve and sustain homeownership.
We support continued investment in programs that help Washington households buy, maintain, and remain in their homes, including down payment assistance, homeownership education and counseling, foreclosure prevention, housing stability resources, and other public and private tools that reduce barriers to sustainable homeownership.
We also support policies that protect access to responsible, affordable mortgage financing and ensure that homeownership opportunities remain available to communities that have historically faced barriers to homeownership.
Expand and strengthen property tax relief for Washington homeowners who need it most.
We support efforts to improve Washington’s property tax exemption and relief programs so that more low-income, senior, and other eligible homeowners can remain in their homes without being priced out by rising property taxes. We support policies that make existing programs easier to access, understand, and use for those who qualify.
Protect access to quality homeowners' insurance in communities across Washington.
Homeownership is not sustainable without affordable and available property insurance. We support policies that help ensure Washington homeowners can obtain quality homeowners’ insurance at a reasonable cost, while encouraging responsible approaches to risk mitigation, transparency, and long-term market stability.
Reduce the risk of displacement and help homeowners recover when disaster strikes.
We support policies that help homeowners prepare for, mitigate, and recover from natural disasters, including wildfires, floods, severe weather, and other hazards. This includes efforts to reduce disaster risk, strengthen the resilience of existing homes, and ensure that affected homeowners can access the financial, housing, counseling, and legal resources they need to recover and remain homeowners.
Housing Supply Matters
WHRC does not lead advocacy efforts in the housing supply policy space. We recognize, however, that Washington’s housing shortage is a critical barrier to housing affordability and homeownership
We support efforts to increase the supply of homes—including attainable homes for purchase—and to preserve and maintain existing housing stock so that more Washington households can access homeownership now and for generations to come.
We are proud to support and collaborate with the many organizations across our statewide network that are leading this work.
How We Choose What We Advocate For
Thousands of bills are introduced in the Washington State Legislature each year, alongside legislation proposed at the local and federal levels. As a small nonprofit with limited advocacy capacity, WHRC cannot engage on every issue that affects housing or homeownership.
In consultation with our statewide network of partners, we identify a focused set of legislative priorities each year and determine which specific bills to support or oppose. We consider questions such as:
- Does this promote sustainable homeownership?
- Does it address barriers experienced by underserved homeowners and prospective homeowners?
- Does it draw on WHRC’s expertise and statewide network?
- Is there a meaningful and appropriate role for WHRC to play?
- Do we have the capacity to engage effectively and make a difference?
- Is the proposed change feasible?
These considerations help us focus our limited resources where we believe WHRC can have the greatest impact.
Legislative Updates & Bill Tracker
The 2026 legislative session has now ended. When the 2027 session begins, we will share updates on relevant legislation and track key bills that impact homeownership in Washington State.
**Stay tuned!**
Stay Connected
Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts
Get updates on our advocacy efforts, policy priorities, and opportunities to take action. We’ll share timely information and ways you can support homeownership across Washington. Join today!
このフォームを送信することにより、Washington Homeownership Resource Center, 5101 14th Ave NW, Suite 315, Seattle, WA, 98107 からのマーケティング メールを受信することに同意することになります。各メールの下部にある SafeUnsubscribe® リンクを使用して、いつでもメール受信の同意を取り消すことができます。メールはConstant Contactによって提供されています