Event Recap
On Monday, February 10th, over 100 housing partners from across the region gathered in Federal Way for the Black Home Initiative All-Partner Summit. Black Legacy Homeowners was there — representing YOU.
The same day, the Washington State House passed HB 2304 (94-0 vote!) to unlock more affordable condos for Black families. Rep. Jamila Taylor, who sponsored the bill, spoke at our summit to celebrate!
💪 WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
The Black Home Initiative (BHI) is a network of 100+ organizations working together to create 1,500 new Black homeowners by 2028 (3,000 by 2033). So far, 825 families have bought homes through this network!
But here’s the challenge: About 31% of new homeowners struggle to KEEP their homes after buying them. That’s where Black Legacy Homeowners comes in.
We’re the team that helps homeowners like you STAY in your homes for generations.
🏠 WHAT BLHO IS DOING (WHAT WE TOLD THEM)
At the summit, we shared what makes BLHN special:
✅ McKinney Center Hub Office Hours
Every Thursday, 10am-2pm — FREE walk-in help with taxes, home repairs, estate planning, and more.
✅ Property Tax Exemption Help
We’ve helped members save $5,000-$7,000 per year on property taxes. Only 30% of eligible seniors are enrolled — that means 70% are leaving money on the table!
✅ Estate Planning Support
Helping you pass your home to your children and grandchildren (not the courts, not investors, YOUR FAMILY).
✅ Connection to Home Repair Programs
Linking members to Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and other programs that fix roofs, furnaces, plumbing — FOR FREE or LOW COST.
Access to Home Expansion (ADU/DADU)
Working to connect members to funding and resources to expand their property and preserve generational wealth.
🎯 WHAT’S COMING IN 2026
Here’s what BLHN is working on THIS YEAR:
1. ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOPS
We’re bringing in attorneys and using new technology to help 6-12 members at a time create wills and trusts (protecting your home for your kids). First workshop starts this spring!
2. EXPANDING TO FEDERAL WAY & TACOMA
Many Black homeowners have moved south. We’re bringing BLHN meetings to Federal Way and Pierce County to serve our members who live outside of Seattle.
3. ADU/DADU HELP
You know those “backyard cottages” everyone’s talking about? Some of you could build one on your property for rental income or family. We’re bringing in experts to show you how.
4. MORE HUB OFFICE HOURS
We’re scheduling MORE speakers at McKinney Center — financial planners, home repair programs, tax experts — so you get help right in the neighborhood.
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🌟 WHO WE ARE WORKING WITH
Resource Equity — Helps you build ADUs and set up estate plans to keep wealth in your family.
Habitat for Humanity — Home repair programs (Jessica coming to Hub in spring!).
Washington Homeownership Resource Center — Can help your grandkids buy their first home.
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🗣️ WHAT PEOPLE SAID ABOUT BLHN
“I really like the ambassador program — Black Legacy Homeowners has the model that BHI needs for reaching people.”
“We need more organizations doing what BLHO does — meeting people where they are, walking them through the paperwork, being a trusted voice in the community.”
“The Hub office hours model is brilliant. It’s accessible, it’s consistent, and it WORKS.”
💬 YOUR ROLE IN THIS
You don’t have to do anything different. Just keep:
– Coming to monthly meetings
– Bringing your neighbors (our best recruitment tool!)
– Telling other homeowners about the Hub
– Sharing what you learn with your church, your block, your family
Every time you help another Black homeowner save on taxes, avoid foreclosure, or plan their estate — you’re preventing displacement. You’re preserving Black Seattle. You’re building Black wealth.
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🙏 THANK YOU
To every member who trusts us with your questions, brings your neighbors, shares your story, and shows up month after month:
You are the reason this works.
The experts at the summit were impressed by what BLHN has built. But WE know the truth: this organization works because of YOUR wisdom, YOUR networks, YOUR commitment to each other.
Let’s keep building Black legacy. Together.
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Questions? Visit the Hub every Thursday 10am-2pm at McKinney Center (2/3rd Ave & Jackson) or call our outreach specialist Rhonda Smith at (206)