SEATTLE – October 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has honored former Washington state Governor Mike Lowry with a lifetime achievement award for his work on behalf of homeownership for farmworkers.
“In his political career, Governor Lowry upheld policies to protect and lift up those who are struggling in our communities—but he didn’t stop when he left office,” said Karen Miller, chair of the Housing Finance Commission. “His success in providing farmworkers a path to homeownership is a truly inspiring achievement.”
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The Margaret M. Sevy Affordable Housing Lifetime Achievement Award honors vision, leadership and impact on affordable housing over a sustained period.
Throughout his career in politics—as a member of the King County Council, a Congressman for the 7th District, and Washington state governor, Gov. Mike Lowry fought for environmental protection, civil rights, and social services, and signed legislation that strengthened affordable housing, such as the Housing Policy Act.
In 2003, he launched Washington Agricultural Family Assistance (WAFA) to open doors to homeownership for farmworkers. As a result of his work to find land, organize volunteers and secure funding, WAFA has built 73 safe, high-quality homes for farmworkers in eastern Washington—including Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata, and Royal City. Families purchase the homes with a mortgage through a combination of financing programs, gaining not just their own property but a financial stepping stone.
Gov. Lowry has also continued working to end homelessness and to increase access to affordable homes for all families. He is a leading voice as co-chair of the National Alliance to End Homelessness and was active on the board of Sharehouse, which provides furniture to stock the homes of formerly homeless people.
Presented October 8 in a ceremony at the 20th annual Housing Washington conference in Spokane, the Margaret M. Sevy Award is named for a former Housing Finance Commission employee and affordable housing advocate who exemplified personal integrity, concern for others and creativity in finding housing solutions.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” said Gov. Lowry. “The Washington State Housing Finance Commission and its partners provide the opportunity of stable housing throughout many sectors of our economy, including our important agricultural industry.”
For more on Housing Washington and the Friend of Housing/Margaret Sevy Awards: www.wshfc.org/conf
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Celebrating its 30th year in 2013, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission is a publicly accountable, self-supporting team that works with lenders, investors, developers, nonprofit organizations and more to bring private investment dollars to benefit families and achieve public goals throughout Washington. The Commission has created and preserved more than 275,000 affordable homes across the state, while contributing more than $42.5 billion and 240,000 jobs to the economy.
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Contact: Margret Graham
206.454-9058
margret.graham (at) wshfc (dot) org
