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Councilmember Mike O'Brienwill host a Public Hearing on the proposed micro-housing regulations proposed by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee is considering legislation to improve how micro-housing (also known as "aPodments") fits into neighborhoods and make the housing more livable for renters, while continuing to support innovation in housing design to create affordable choices.

If your group needs funding to do a neighborhood project, the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund may be able to help. However, you’ll need to be quick because the application deadline to the Small and Simple Projects Fund is Monday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. This fund provides matching awards of up to $25,000 to neighborhood groups and community organizations for community-building projects

U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, on Thursday introduced emergency legislation that would reverse a sudden and largely unexplained Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy change that has restricted homeless veterans' access to housing and services.

Four new developments will add affordable housing across the state, thanks to almost $29 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits allocated yesterday by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed TerryLynn Stewart to serve as a King County Housing Authority commissioner. Stewart was unanimously approved on Feb. 19 by the Metropolitan King County Council. Stewart replaces Commissioner Terry McLlarky, who died in July 2013.

State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-23rd, Poulsbo) has been tapped by her colleagues to chair the House committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs. The panel is charged with considering issues relating to, among other things, community development, veteran-related legislation, tourism and the government-to-government relationship of the state and Indian tribes. The committee also considers bills relating to housing, including the accessibility and affordability of housing, state assistance to low-income housing, housing authorities, and the Housing Finance Commission.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- This winter is the perfect time for Tacoma residents to start thinking about gardening. Or, more specifically, about rain gardens. The City of Tacoma has launched a pilot incentive program to help homeowners design and install rain gardens. Residents throughout Tacoma may request soil testing and design assistance now, so they’re ready to plant this spring

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Seattle has adopted a Resource Conservation Management Plan (RCMP) that outlines how the City will reduce energy use in City-owned buildings 20% by 2020. A 20% energy use reduction by 2020 (compared to the 2008 baseline) would also result in utility cost savings of roughly $2.75 million per year after reaching the reduction goal.

SEATTLE - December 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Mike McGinn and Office of Housing Director Rick Hooper have announced over $27 million in affordable housing investments, funded primarily from the Seattle Housing Levy. The 2013 funding awards are provided to housing organizations in Seattle who will build or preserve 432 quality rental units that are rent-restricted for at least 50 years.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- When a portfolio of nine privately owned Section 8-assisted housing complexes located in five counties scattered across Washington state was offered for sale last spring, the King County Housing Authority spearheaded a collaborative effort to purchase it. The housing authorities of Bremerton, Grays Harbor County, Yakima, and Chelan County and the City of Wenatchee participated in assuring the preservation of a total of 337 homes within the various communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Tacoma and King County Office of Civil Rights received additional funding for more comprehensive fair housing education and outreach efforts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Tacoma and King County Office of Civil Rights received additional funding for more comprehensive fair housing education and outreach efforts.

Vancouver, WA - October 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pete Munroe, program manager for Clark County’s Housing and Community Development Program, was honored with the Roy D. Hoover Award last week by the National Association for County Community and Economic Development.

White Center - October 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The final 87 low-income apartments at Seola Gardens in White Center have opened, bringing to 177 the total number of apartment homes at this new mixed-income, master-planned community. All site development including utilities, roads, trails, playgrounds, fences, and community gardens has been completed. Construction and sales of single-family homes is well underway. The remodeled Head Start center has reopened and the community center, with after-school, job assistance and ESL programs, is alive with activity.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced that Snohomish County will receive nearly $4 million in federal grants to increase affordable housing, improve the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters, and expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. These grants are administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- OLYMPIA...The Office of Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Division is sponsoring a homeowners association workshop in Spokane on Oct. 4.

Bellevue - September 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In addition to backpacks, binders and book covers, the children at two federally assisted complexes in Bellevue will also start the school year with new after-school learning facilities.

Vancouver, WA - September 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Shared housing will be the topic of a Tuesday, Sept. 17, meeting of the Commission on Aging.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged his colleagues to take up and pass the SAFE Bridges Act, a bill he introduced with Reps. Nick Rahall, W.Va-03, and Peter DeFazio, Ore.-04. The House of Representatives will recess Friday for five weeks without passing any legislation to invest in our transportation infrastructure.