4th Annual Whatcom Housing Week Addresses Inequalities in Neighborhoods & Housing

The Whatcom Housing Alliance announces the fourth annual Whatcom Housing Week, October 12 – 16. Housing Week aims to build awareness and support for innovative housing solutions that create diverse, vibrant, and healthy homes for all.

With the global COVID-19 pandemic and increasing unrest over racial injustice in America, having a safe, equitable, and affordable home is more important than ever. Whatcom Housing Week 2020 will be a mix of virtual events and socially- distanced activities for housing enthusiasts and the broader community alike.

Highlights of Housing Week include:

• A keynote speech from distinguished historian and author Richard Rothstein on Monday night at 7pm. Rothstein specializes in the history of segregation in the US particularly in relation to housing and education. In his best- selling book, The Color of Law, Rothstein explains how anti-Black governmental policies such redlining are to blame for the segregation of our cities. In this virtual presentation, Rothstein will further explain this narrative and how American cities can move away from historically racist housing policies toward a more just and equitable future. A book club discussion of Rothstein’s book, The Color of Law, takes place on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m.

• A Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt where participants of all ages can enjoy some fresh air and get familiar with their neighborhood. Participants can join the fun by downloading a PDF or playing online for a chance to win prizes from neighborhood businesses.

• Coffee and Conversations on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. with Seattle for Everyone coordinator, Brady Nordstrom and Futurewise Executive Director, Alex Brennan where participants will discuss why those who most commonly participate in the public process are often under-representative of the broader community and how to create an anti-fragile housing ecosystem in Whatcom County.

What: Whatcom Housing Week
When: October 12-16, 2020
Cost: FREE
Register at: https://whatcomhousingalliance.org/projects/whatcom-housing-week/

Whatcom Housing Alliance is a broad alliance of organizations including; public health proponents, economic development agencies, for-profit and non-profit housing developers, smart growth enthusiasts, private business owners, investors and others all united to build an affordable, healthy, equitable, thriving, and inclusive community. Their goal is to create opportunities for more diverse housing choices in all neighborhoods that will contribute toward equitable, prosperous, healthy, and vibrant communities for everyone. These housing choices will help us be a more sustainable region by improving our environment, the social fabric and health of our people, and creating a stronger economy.Whatcom Housing Week is made possible by support from the City of Bellingham, Whatcom Transportation Authority, RMC Architects, Whatcom County Health Department, First Federal Community Foundation, Whatcom Community Foundation, Community Health Plan of Washington, and Whatcom County Association of Realtors.