East King County Homeownership Expo: Connecting Residents to Pathways for Homeownership
A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) and the Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC) convened housing providers, nonprofits, and financial institutions to bring homeownership resources and opportunities directly to the community. The first annual East King County Homeownership Expo connected residents with a wide range of partners offering guidance on pathways to homeownership and access to trusted support services.
Expo partners represented the full spectrum of homeownership support services—from affordable homebuyer programs and down payment assistance to financial education, lending options, and long-term stability resources.
Homeownership is a vital component of financial stability and intergenerational wealth, however, in Washington State, homeownership rates are falling among Latinx and Black households. In response to this alarming trend, event organizers recruited culturally competent partners with trusted inroads to Black and Latinx communities.
The Expo was designed to make the homebuying process more accessible by bringing these organizations together in one setting, allowing attendees to ask questions, compare programs, and learn what steps they can take next. Whether someone is just beginning to explore homeownership or actively preparing to buy, the event offered practical tools and direct connections to help them move forward.
By convening regional partners, the Expo strengthened collaboration across the housing ecosystem and helped ensure that more households across East King County have access to clear, equitable and actionable pathways toward homeownership.
