Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/901018
MBAKS encourages attendees to get more involved in our Association's advocacy eff orts and expressing our willingness to partner with other stakeholders to make housing more attainable for all. Washington State Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender discussed the Housing Aff ordability Response Team's (HART) recommendations for housing aff ordability. The HART recommendations are identifi ed as an area of focus in our 10-point plan. Governor Jay Inslee convened the group in early 2017 to study the issues causing a lack of aff ordability in our state and identify practical solutions. Joining Bonlender to present the HART recommendations were Aff ordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) Chair M.A. Leonard of Enterprise Community Partners and Joel Ing of Edge Developers. Other speakers included Association member Clay White of LDC Inc.; Gail Luxenberg, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County; Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring, focusing on fee simple townhouse codes and local vesting implementation; and Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, who highlighted the need for establishing a minimum urban density standard. On behalf of the MBA, Senior Director of Strategy & Policy Nick Harper closed out the Summit, encouraging attendees to get more involved in our Association's advocacy eff orts and expressing our willingness to partner with other stakeholders to make housing more attainable for all. L to R: Brian Bonlender, M.A. Leonard, Joel Ing Snohomish County Councilmember Terry Ryan MBAKS Past President Zakir Parpia 51 master builder WINTER 2017 master builder