City of Redmond Earns Housing Development Consortium’s Community Champions Award

Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and Housing Development Consortium Executive Director Patience Malaba. **REDMOND, WA** – During the ninth annual Affordable Housing Week, the City of Redmond received the Community Champions Award from the Housing Development Consortium (HDC). This award is presented annually by HDC to an individual or organization for exemplary work and leadership in advancing racial equity and equitable development in broad and diverse coalitions or networks. Redmond received this award for its commitment to increase housing variety and affordability at all income levels that reflect the needs of our community. Mayor Angela Birney accepted the award on May 13 at Seattle City Hall, during HDC’s Affordable Housing Week Kick-Off event.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Housing Development Consortium, as it shines light on the intentional work we’ve been focused on for many years,” said Birney. “Creating affordable housing opportunities for all can only happen when we work together, and we are glad to do our part. ”   The City focuses its efforts on increasing the supply of affordable housing through land use regulations and partnerships with local organizations. In early 2021, the City adopted its first Housing Action Plan, which created a roadmap for increasing the supply and diversity of housing types, reducing development costs, investing in programs to keep people housed, preserving affordable homes, and growing partnerships with non-profits, faith-based organizations, and developers. The Housing Action Plan will help the City reach the regional growth targets assigned by King County.

Redmond has agreed to plan for an additional 20,000 new housing units by 2044 to accommodate its share of regional population growth.   Housing Development Consortium’s mission is to build, sustain, and inspire a diverse network committed to producing, preserving, and increasing equitable access to affordable homes.