Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day

Advocates gather on the Capitol steps during the rally at HHAD in 2025

On Friday, March 14, 2025, the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA) hosted its annual Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day (HHAD) in Olympia, WA. HHAD provides an opportunity for community members, program participants, and staff to engage in the legislative process by sharing their experiences in combating housing injustice. Approximately 750 attendees met with their district senators and representatives to emphasize the importance of supporting housing initiatives and effective solutions to homelessness.

LIHI was a sponsor of the event and participated with staff advocates and clients.

LIHI Advocates: Shawn Pullen, Nate Ellis-Brown, Koshawn Greenhouse, Marta Kidane, Amanda Benson, Ellen Supplee, and Kim Soto

WLIHA's legislative priorities include a proposed $536 million investment into the Housing Trust Fund aimed at creating new affordable homes and rentals. Another important initiative is House Bill 1858, which requires banks to pay a document recording fee when a home is sold— a fee from which banks have historically been exempt. This fee directly supports housing services.

Thanks to the efforts of numerous organizations, clients, and volunteers in attendance, we successfully connected these legislative priorities to the real-life stories of individuals experiencing homelessness. Often, the lawmaking process can feel distant from the everyday voter, but HHAD provides all Washingtonians the opportunity to advocate for affordable housing and homelessness legislation at its source. This level of advocacy gives a voice to those who are often unheard.

Koshawn Greenhouse advocating for homeless and housing priorities with a District 27 Legislative Aide

The rally closed with a performance of Can’t Let It Slide, by rapper, veteran and activist 410 Noodlez. Here he is rocking the crowd as everyone chants “Housing Injustice, We Can’t Let Slide!” 410 Noodlez -"Housing Injustice," Can't Let It Slide Song Sponsored by WLIHA

Become a LIHI Advocate

LIHI Advocates: Tracy Williams, Tan Macaraeg, Ellen Supplee, and Mairin Couch

We invite you to join LIHI in our advocacy efforts by emailing your local representative (use the WA District Finder) to express your support for House Bill 1774. This bill will enable the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to lease unused highway land to nonprofit organizations at below-market rates. In return, these organizations will provide various community benefits, including the establishment of Tiny House Villages. This initiative will greatly assist organizations throughout the state of Washington! 

TAKE ACTION today to ask both chambers to fully fund the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s housing and homelessness priorities and to pass their revenue packages to prevent any more cuts.  

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