LISC Puget Sound

Our very own Kandis Williams, executive director of LISC Cleveland, is featured in a Crain's Cleveland Business article exploring a new LISC heirs�� property initiative, which provides families with estate planning, legal support and financial counseling that can help clear up clouded property titles and preserve homes for future generations. ? Many thanks to the U.S. Bank Foundation Opportunity Fund for supporting this important work in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Learn more:?https://lnkd.in/eDbCyJhS

We're Hiring: AmeriCorps VISTA - Economic Opportunity Coordinator! Passionate about expanding access to jobs and housing? Join LISC Puget Sound in driving economic opportunity and equity across the region! In this AmeriCorps VISTA role, you'll support workforce development and affordable housing initiatives to help communities thrive. ?? What You��ll Do: - Support workforce development strategies that connect individuals to family-wage jobs - Assist nonprofit developers & housing organizations in expanding affordable housing - Engage communities through outreach, training, and resource development - Organize program resources and funding opportunities Facilitate community meetings, workshops, and events ?? Skills We��re Looking For: - Community Engagement & Organization - Interest in Economic Justice and Economic Mobility - Public Speaking, Writing, & Communications - Leadership & Nonprofit Management ?? Program Benefits: Training, Stipend, Health Coverage, Education Award or End-of-Service Stipend, Bus Pass, and More! ?? Location: Puget Sound (Ability to travel to multiple sites; vehicle recommended) Make an impact��apply today! Link: https://lnkd.in/g8imGqcn #AmeriCorps #Hiring #NonprofitJobs #Poverty #EconomicJustice #WorkforceDevelopment #AffordableHousing #PugetSound

Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! ?? This month��and every day��we recognize the innovation, influence, and lasting contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our communities and the nation. Join us in celebrating this rich legacy and powerful impact.

Friends, As we close out January, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the weight of this moment. The challenges are real��new policies and proposals threaten to set back progress, uncertainty looms over what��s next, and the work of fighting for housing, economic, and racial justice is exhausting. Even the most relentless optimists among us have struggled to find the words to inspire hope. But hope isn��t found in a single moment or a single person��it��s built through our collective action, our shared commitment, and our unwavering belief that a better future is possible. Thank you for all that you do. Every day, we see your dedication to strengthening communities, expanding opportunities, and driving meaningful change. The?LISC Puget Sound team?is proud to be in this work with you, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration, forging new partnerships, and continuing to make an impact together. There are critical opportunities ahead to push for policies and investments that align with our shared vision: ???Seattle��s Comprehensive Plan?�C We must advocate for a bold vision that prioritizes housing, equity, and sustainability.?Join the One Seattle for All rally on February 5?and share your voice at City Hall. ???February 11 Special Election?�C Ballot measures across 32 counties will impact school funding, housing, and worker protections.?Check your voter registration and make sure your voice is heard. ???State Legislative Session?�C Rent stabilization, affordable housing funding, and transit-oriented development are on the table. Your advocacy��emails, calls, and meetings��will help shape the outcomes.?Track bills and contact your legislators and sign up for action alerts from advocacy groups like?Housing Development Consortium of Seattle - King County,?Futurewise, and the?Washington Low Income Housing Alliance?to stay engaged. We don��t have to navigate this moment alone. Let��s continue to show up for each other��to provide support, to strategize, and to take action. Every conversation, every investment, every vote, every act of advocacy moves us forward. We are in this together. When we show up, when we speak out, when we organize��we build power. And that power is what will shape the future we believe in. Take a deep breath. Find moments of joy. Take care of yourself and each other. We need your voice, your brilliance, and your action. With appreciation, ~Lauren Find links here: https://lnkd.in/g7UPT_wb

Are you a Native business owner or consultant working in or serving Seattle customers and clients? Take a survey to help design and advocate for an Indigenous Economic Development Center (IEDC). The center will support Native-owned businesses with programs and offices or workspaces. Go to: bit.ly/ndnEDC

Check it out! We've partnered with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop a comprehensive toolkit to help HUD grantees and community developers support faith-based organizations in building and preserving affordable housing in their communities. Featuring case studies from across the country, the toolkit provides best practices on partnership opportunities, policy considerations, and financing strategies to help faith-based organizations make a meaningful impact on local housing goals. Learn more + download it here: https://lnkd.in/d6UUJgcw

LISC Jacksonville is thrilled to launch the Emerging Developer Program. This initiative is designed to strengthen and further diversify the affordable housing landscape in the city, equipping communities with the skills, tools, and resources they need to succeed. Through a mix of mentorship, technical assistance, and financial support, we��re fostering a pipeline of leaders ready to shape the future of Jacksonville��s neighborhoods. Read more about this exciting program and the impact it will have on our city: https://lnkd.in/egherKtx Dr. Irvin PeDro Cohen #EquitableDevelopment #EmergingDevelopers #InclusiveGrowth #LISCImpact #LISCLending

As devastating fires continue to impact LA County and other parts of Southern California, we at LISC Puget Sound are keeping the region in our thoughts and extending our support. Our incredible colleagues at LISC LA led by Executive Director Nicole Williams, are safe but facing significant challenges, with some team members having evacuated and others without power. Despite this, they are actively checking in with community partners to assess the wellbeing of the residents they serve. We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to support the LISC LA team, our colleagues at LISC San Diego and Rural LISC California, and the affected communities as they navigate this crisis and its aftermath. This is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience and community-centered support. Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we remain committed to standing with our partners during this time. #LISC #CommunityResilience #SouthernCaliforniaFires #Support

LISC Puget Sound is thrilled to share this inspiring story from the heart of Seattle��s Central District. A huge shoutout to Jaebadiah Gardner, a LISC Puget Sound Housing Equity Accelerator Fellow, for his visionary leadership and commitment to community-driven development. The Sarah Queen building, named after Jaebadiah��s grandmother, stands as a powerful tribute to Black women, entrepreneurship, and the Central District��s rich history. This project is a shining example of what it means to prioritize affordability, equity, and Black participation in development. Check out Omari Salisbury��s feature to learn more about this transformative project!

The latest report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies paints a stark picture of the affordability crisis gripping renters both nationally and here in the Puget Sound region. With 22.6 million households across the country now cost-burdened��12.1 million of whom spend more than half their income on housing��we��re confronting a dual crisis that impacts families struggling to stay housed and housing providers working to keep their doors open. At LISC Puget Sound, we see this dynamic play out daily. Families are forced to make impossible choices between paying rent, buying groceries, and meeting other essential needs. Meanwhile, housing providers��who are critical to ensuring long-term affordability��are grappling with rising operational costs, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and stagnant revenue streams. These challenges are especially acute for nonprofit and mission-driven developers striving to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. We cannot afford to frame this as a zero-sum game where families and housing providers are pitted against one another. Instead, we need bold, systemic solutions that address both sides of the equation: Support for Housing Providers: Locally, we��re hearing from providers about the financial strain they face as costs rise faster than revenues. Targeted relief and operational funding are essential to maintaining and expanding the affordable housing stock. Increased Rental Assistance: Nationally, only 1 in 4 eligible renters receives the rental assistance they need. In our region, we must advocate for stronger rental support programs to help families avoid eviction and stabilize their housing. Expanding Housing Supply: Investing in the preservation of affordable units and building new ones is critical to addressing the supply shortage that drives cost burdens higher. Investing in Wages and Income Supports: Housing stability depends on economic stability. Ensuring workers in essential industries can earn living wages and access income supports is a key part of reducing housing cost burdens. Collaboration and Innovation: Locally and nationally, we need stronger partnerships between policymakers, housing providers, and advocates to craft long-term solutions. No single policy or program will solve this crisis��it will require creativity, investment, and a commitment to equity. Housing is a human right, and families shouldn��t have to choose between paying rent and meeting basic needs. Providers, too, deserve the support necessary to sustain and expand their operations. At LISC, we remain committed to addressing this crisis with an approach that stabilizes families, supports housing providers, and builds a more equitable future for all. #affordablehousing #income #communitydevelopment #housingisahumanright