The Housing Futures Center at the University of Washington is a bold, forward-looking initiative designed to address Washington’s most pressing housing challenges, both today and in the years ahead. The Center builds capacity and advances informed decision-making by integrating research, education, and community engagement to support policymakers, advocates, developers, housing providers, tenants, and homeowners working to shape a future where every Washingtonian has access to housing.
Over the next two decades, Washington will need more than 1.1 million new housing units of all types, and many of those homes will need to be affordable to households earning less than 80% of area median income. The consequences of unattainable housing are severe, including increased financial instability, eviction, displacement, and homelessness. These challenges affect communities across the state and place growing pressure on households, neighborhoods, and local governments. The Housing Futures Center supports the people and organizations making housing decisions by providing research, education, and opportunities for collaboration.
Download the Housing Futures Center Two-Pager (PDF)
Our Work
Research
The Center conducts applied, relevant research in Washington and maintains accessible data resources that support housing-related decision-making.
Education
The Center helps develop the next generation of housing practitioners through coursework, applied learning, internships, fellowships, and industry connection.
Engagement
The Center convenes policymakers, developers, advocates, residents, and civic leaders to support shared problem-solving and collaborative housing solutions.
Research
Addressing Washington’s housing challenges requires informed decision-making. The Housing Futures Center conducts applied, locally relevant research and develops accessible data resources that policymakers, community advocates, developers, researchers, and agencies can use to support housing-related decision-making. This work generates insights into housing supply, access and affordability, policy and regulation, and innovation in development and construction. Research activities include:
- Policy and program evaluation.
- Data assembly and dissemination.
- Policy analysis.
- Development feasibility analysis.
- Case study analysis, including policy, development, and regulation.
- Landscape analysis.
Education
Building the future of housing requires a new generation of housing practitioners. The Housing Futures Center develops the next generation of housers, including policymakers, advocates, financiers, housing providers, researchers, and developers, through a range of educational offerings. These include:
- Coursework rooted in housing systems, policies, and production.
- Real-world learning and experience through case competitions and applied research projects.
- Financial support for housing-related internships and fellowships.
- Access to mentors and industry leaders through lectures and community gatherings.
Engagement
Complex housing challenges require diverse perspectives and sustained collaboration. The Housing Futures Center convenes policymakers, developers, advocates, residents, and civic leaders in communities across Washington in solution-focused conversations across sectors. Through structured discussion and collaboration, the Center helps create the conditions for shared problem-solving by fostering mutual understanding, highlighting promising practices, and supporting collaborative action toward shared housing goals.
Shared Goals
Aligned with state and local priorities, the Housing Futures Center does not construct housing or establish housing policy. It works to support and inform those who do. Our work is designed to advance the following shared goals:
- Housing attainability, affordability, and stability.
- Thriving communities.
- Informed decision-making.
- Shared prosperity.
Our Values
The Housing Futures Center operates with intention and integrity, guided by values that ensure our work is responsive, rigorous, and rooted in the needs of our state. We are:
- Pragmatic — We focus on real-world impact by building capacity to help partners make wise decisions and implement effective solutions.
- Conscientious — We approach every project with integrity, rigor, and a commitment to equity.
- Humble — We recognize that no single approach will solve Washington’s housing crisis and that meaningful expertise exists within the communities we serve.
Contact
To learn more about the Housing Futures Center or explore opportunities to collaborate, please reach out to our team.
Gregg Colburn
colburn3@uw.edu
Alex Haslam
alexeck3@uw.edu