HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.17.23-Approved_SKHHP-EB-MinutesPage 2 of 5
SKHHP Executive Meeting
February 17, 2023
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy Backus called the virtual meeting to order at 1:08 PM.
a. ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Executive Board members present:Executive Board members present: Nancy
Backus, City of Auburn; Colleen Brandt-Schluter, City of Burien; Kristina Soltys, City of
Covington; Traci Buxton, City of Des Moines; Brian Davis, City of Federal Way; Dana
Ralph, City of Kent; Sean P. Kelly, City of Maple Valley; Eric Zimmerman, City of
Normandy Park; Hannah Bahnmiller, City of Renton; Sunaree Marshall, King County.
II. REVIEW AGENDA/AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
A survey connected to the development of the 2024 Work Plan was added to the agenda in
preparation of the March 2023 meeting.
III.PUBLIC COMMENT
No member of the public requested time to address the Executive Board
IV. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 20, 2023 MINUTES
Sean P Kelly moved to approve the January 20, 2023, minutes as presented, seconded by
Dana Ralph. Motion passed unanimously (10-0)
V.NEW BUSINESS
a. SKHHP 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
The 2022 annual progress and budget report serves as both the annual and 4th quarter
report for 2022. The Progress and Budget Report may also be used for outreach purposes
with South King County cities that are not SKHHP partners at this time.
Claire Goodwin presented the 2022 Annual Report. Some highlights of the 2022 Annual
Report include the successful establishment of the Housing Capital Fund and
recommendations for two housing projects totaling $1,393,308. The Executive Board
directed the recruitment of new Executive Manager Claire Goodwin and new Program
Coordinator Dorsol Plants. We welcomed the new partner city of Maple Valley. SKHHP
initiated and managed the development of an Affordable Housing Inventory. Finally, SKHHP
alongside six member cities received the Vision 2050 award in the “Working Together”
category.
Executive Board members completed a fill-in survey seeking feedback on the 2023 Work
Plan to guide the development of the 2024 Work Plan.
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b. EXECUTIVE BOARD DISCUSSION ON ACTING NIMBLY AND TAKING A
UNIFIED POSITION
Discussion was opened on the topic of how to quickly support a topic or issue relevant to
SKHHP’s mission. The SKHHP Executive Board has been asked previously to speak on
legislative or policy issues, and to draft letters of support for Affordable Housing Projects.
Brian Davis stated his preference when asked to provide comment was to focus on the
SKHHP approved legislative priorities and staying consistent with the messaging there.
There are coordination challenges when asked to take a specific position or write a letter of
support outside of the developed priorities.
Traci Buxton mentioned that like the Sound Cities Association the philosophy should be a
“Do No Harm” to our partners. That if SKHHP does want to move forward on a topic or
issue it should be by super-majority or unanimous decision, simple majority may not fairly
reflect our partner city positions.
Dana Ralph spoke in support of using the legislative priorities as the key advocacy tool.
With legislation, it can be challenging for an organization like SKHHP to take a position
because the nuances inside the bill may have different impacts on each partner city.
Sunaree Marshall mentioned that as an authority, it would be difficult to take a position
without clear understanding of the County Council position. She did mention an example in
2022 connected with a grant with time sensitive deadline. With a deadline, it may make
sense to act quickly when can be a budget positive action.
Clarification was provided that SKHHP staff will not advocate for or against any legislative
bills unless otherwise directed by the Board and that providing SKHHP’s adopted legislative
proposals when asked to sponsor bills was acceptable to the Board.
VI. EDUCATIONAL ITEM
a. 2023 STATE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
Dorsol Plants reviewed the SKHHP Legislative Priorities and active legislation around
SKHHP’s priorities. With over 1,000 active pieces of legislation, there are several bills
addressing housing that do not tie directly into the SKHHP Legislative Priorities but are
relevant to SKHHP’s members. SKHHP staff is available to do further research or
information gathering around active legislation.
b. ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE
Valerie Kendall and Alice Morgan-Watson from King County Department of Community
Service presented on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing-a county wide report on
barriers to fair housing choice. In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was passed placing a duty on
local jurisdictions to provide and protect access to housing regardless of protected class. In
addition to classes protected at the Federal level, both WA state and King County have
additional protected classes.
The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing included a review of laws, regulations, and
policies around housing, and how they may impact the location, availability, and
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accessibility of housing units. It looked at both public and private factors affecting housing
choice for protected classes. Conducted in 2019, the analysis found that South Seattle and
South King County are the most diverse areas in King County and have some of the
greatest barriers to access. Black residents were half as likely to request a home loan than
white residents and were denied at twice the rate. Economic segregation seems to be the
main driver contributing to segregation patterns across King County. 2023 will be the next
analysis and will feed into the 2024 County comprehensive plan and housing needs
assessment.
A 2022 study of Fair Housing in King County set 55 elements for review and found evidence
in 30 of the 55 elements of housing discrimination. Policy checks found that disability
accommodation requests were one significant violation of Fair Housing with 9 out 11
violations. Race and National Origin showed evidence in differential treatment in half of the
tests conducted.
c. KING COUNTY COMMUNITY PREFERENCE PROGRAM AND ANTI-
DISPLACEMENT
In 2021, the King County undertook Anti-Displacement work in two neighborhoods, Skyway-
West Hill and North Highline. The report analyzed and identified 14 potential strategies to
prevent displacement and recommended 10 strategies, with Community Preference
receiving the strongest support.
The King County Community Preference Program requires 40% of new, affordable housing
projects funded through King County in the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline
neighborhoods to prioritize applicants with a connection to the community. A citizen’s
advisory group was put together to better define what community preference and
connection mean, and how to accurately outreach to eligible applicants. The definition of
community connection was someone who either is, or has a parent, guardian, or ancestor
who is currently or formerly a resident. It would also include someone who works or
volunteers for a local organization, or lives within ½ mile of the new property.
Developers were required to submit a Community Preference and Affirmative Marketing
plan. This plan would fully describe how the developer would advertise and inform potential
qualifying applicants. It would also require them to connect to community organizations in
the area to further share their housing availability.
Traci Buxton mentioned the tension between Anti-Displacement and growth required to
meet the high demands of housing. Citing that often it would be wonderful to offer the new
units being built to families, but in the eighteen months to three years to complete the
construction the neighborhood would be displaced.
Dana Ralph put forward that this is potentially one of the most significant challenges for the
whole of South King County. Action in Olympia can have great intent but miss the nuances
of displacement inside the individual community.
Sunaree Marshell provided context to this work, citing Dana Ralph’s concerns as a reason
why Anti-Displacement work began in Skyway. At the macro-scale we know that we need
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more units, but at the micro-scale in the neighborhood it means something different with
their day to day.
Nancy Backus spoke about the concerns of unintended consequences of legislative action.
The intent is clearly good, and not even in question, but the unintended impacts are not
often known without deep review and local context. One example is the current state of the
infrastructure and it’s ability to support new units. Any improvement costs would be passed
on to the community members.
VII.UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next meeting is March 17, 2023 and will be held in-person at the Auburn City Council
Chambers. The room will be setup in hybrid format so the public can still submit virtual
comment. The primary topic will be working on the 2024 Work Plan.
A new calendar invite will be sent out. One version will go out to the Executive Board and
Staff Work Group, so they enter the virtual meeting space as panelist. Another version is
being sent to our community members and other regular attendees.
The Calendar invites for the SKHHP Executive Board have the word ‘Hybrid” next to them
to denote which of the meetings will be in-person.
VIII. ADJOURN
Nancy Backus adjourned the meeting at 2:42 pm