Together in Housing: Strengthening Community Partnerships for Affordable Housing

On October 14, 2026, ARCH staff brought together 17 community-based organizations (CBOs) from across East King County for Together in Housing, an event focused on strengthening partnerships, connecting communities, and expanding access to affordable housing.

CBOs learned about ARCH’s affordable rental, homeownership and investments programs, gaining knowledge to better support the clients and communities they serve.

CBOs also got a firsthand look at ARCH’s new Apartment Search tool, including an affordability level (percentage of the Area Median Income) calculator. This tool can help community members identify affordable rental housing options more quickly and easily. During the homeownership presentations, attendees learned about three homeownership assistance programs available to eligible community members: Parkview Services, KCHA’s Dreams to Keys, and the Covenant Homeownership Program.

CBOs also heard the different ways they can partner with developers early in the development process – from informal partnerships to potential co-ownership opportunities. These collaborations can help ensure that new housing reflects the needs and priorities of the communities it serves.

Together in Housing exemplified ARCH’s community engagement approach, grounded in the principles of accountability, equity, trust, and mutual benefit. These principles guide how ARCH engages with community, how we respond to community needs, and how CBOs and ARCH can work together to make affordable housing more accessible across East King County.

The event wrapped up with a networking activity that encouraged attendees to think about their organization’s role in the broader affordable housing continuum and identify opportunities to connect and collaborate with others doing this important work.

A BIG thank-you to all the CBOs who joined us! Every organization plays a role in helping people access housing, but we don’t always know who else is doing this work or how our efforts connect with one another. By building these connections and sharing resources, we can strengthen our collective impact and help more people find a place to call home.

Slide deck from Together in Housing event with Community Based Organizations