The Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County (HCESC) emerged from the Housing Stakeholders group, which was formed in the late 1990s by the Healthy Communities Initiative. Incorporated in 2002, HCESC is a collaborative partnership between nonprofit housing developers and service providers with local business, government, and for-profit organizations focusing on issues and needs for affordable housing in Snohomish County and throughout the State of Washington.

Our major accomplishments in 2007 include:

• Successful Affordable Housing Breakfast Forums that featured Bob Drewel of the Puget Sound Regional Council; Snohomish County Council Candidates’ views on affordable housing; results of the Gates’ Foundation Sound Families initiative.
• An affordable housing conference that attracted 150 people to network with each other learn about strategies for increasing affordable housing in the cities and towns of Snohomish County.
• Passage of HB 1450 through the State Legislature that extended a property tax exemption to low income housing developments.
• Participation in the Prosperity Partnership’s Housing Working Group, which brought regional focus and the credibility of the Puget Sound Regional Council to affordable housing issues.
• A contract with Snohomish County to develop and Affordable Housing Action Plan for the county.

In 2008, we will:

• Continue to plan and host events to highlight affordable housing issues in Snohomish County. Our Affordable Housing Breakfast Forums have become a centerpiece of our educational efforts in the community. We will again host an affordable housing conference on June 5, 2008.
• Participate in the 2008 state legislative session and advocate for legislation and resources to support increased affordable housing.
• Complete an Affordable Housing Action Plan and engage community stakeholders in implementation of the strategies recommended by the plan.
• Develop opportunities to promote affordable housing incentives and production in the cities in Snohomish County.

We have established ambitious goals for the coming years and they are outlined in our 2007-2010 Strategic Plan.