FIABCI Presents - Affordable Housing Summit in Seattle - November 2019
This week I joined British Columbia and USA colleagues, the President of the USA Chapter and the World President of the International Real Estate Federation at the Affordable Housing Summit hosted at the University of Washington in Seattle. A lack of affordable housing is not unique to Seattle, it is an issue being faced by numerious cities around the country and the world. FIABCI is a partner in the UN Habitat's World Urban Campaign. The World Urban Campaign is a multifaceted advocacy and partnership platform that strives to bring about positive urban change in numerous areas, including housing affordability solutions. FIABCI, which holds NGO special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is committed to this important work.
Presenters and panelists were very informative, sharing their experiences in their regions and it is clear that this is a rapid and ongoing economic growth. What I learned was that every 2% of rent increase puts 4000 more people homeless. Even the Chief of Police of King County can't even live the community he works in. Discussions about 'accessory dwelling units' and 'detached dwelling units' calling it residential zoning instead of single family zoning. In Bellevue, there is no downsizing available. Try to find new coalitions, old ones just are not working.
Thank you to some of the following on the panels;
Lynne Robinson - Deputy Mayor, City of Bellevue, Brett Waller - Multi-Family Expert, Director of Government Affairs Washington Multi-Family House Association, Leslie Reed - Condo Conversion Expert, Real Estate Broker Windermere, Jack McCullough - Partner McCullough Hill Leary, PS, Brock Freeman - PropTech and Finance Expert, Managing Partner Kirkland Capital Group, Mamie Marcuss - Director of Programs, Challenge Seattle, Claude DaCorsi - Prefab/Modular Expert, Council member City of Auburn, Troy Thiel - Co-Chair, Community for Affordable Housing SKAR Government Affairs, Sara Monzo - Co-Chair, Community for Affordable Housing Director of Marketing Opes Advisors
Below photo is with my BC/USA colleagues joining the World President of the International Real Estate Federation for dinner the night before the Summit in Seattle, USA.
Below Photo Mr. Walid Moussa - World President 2019-2020, FIABCI
Please stay tuned for more updates and if you would like any real estate help in Victoria, BC please call direct at 250.744.4556. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
