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About Bellwether Diversity & Equity People Residents Funding About Us Mission & Vision History Approach Future About Bellwether Our mission is to make this a place where all can live, stay warm, have support, find new opportunities and build stronger communities. ​ Mission & Vision Bellwether Housing creates stable communities and access to opportunity through affordable housing. We develop and manage homes for people with limited incomes near job centers, transit, and services. We amplify our impact by helping other organizations in the Puget Sound region do the same. We envision diverse communities where people of all incomes and backgrounds share in the prosperity of our region. ​ Mission & Vision History Future History Bellwether Housing was founded in 1980 to create housing for downtown workers to have access to safe, affordable housing close to their jobs. After nearly 40 years of success and growth, Bellwether is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit affordable housing provider. ​ Bellwether has served nearly 18,000 residents since 1980 and continues to lead the affordable housing industry in finding innovative ways to build strong, healthy communities within its own portfolio and on behalf of other nonprofit organizations. We have developed an additional 10,000 homes as a development consultant for other nonprofits. ​ Our Approach As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Bellwether Housing builds and manages high quality affordable housing so that people of diverse backgrounds and incomes thrive in urban King County’s high-cost housing market. As the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit affordable housing provider, Bellwether Housing serves 3,500 residents annually in 2200 apartments. Our 33 buildings are near workplaces, schools, childcare, and community amenities in vibrant, transit-rich neighborhoods. We serve families large and small, households recovering from homelessness, seniors, immigrants, preschool teachers and social workers, and young people just starting out. Living at Bellwether, residents gain access to the resources and prosperity of their surrounding communities and, in turn, cultivate a more inclusive and equitable city. To meet the intense need for affordable housing in the region, we plan to build and acquire 2,500 homes by 2025. Since 2016, Bellwether has targeted new development in neighborhoods that have incredible access to transit, public services such as libraries, parks, and excellent schools, and allow for strong ties to community supports such as YMCA’s, Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers, health care facilities and food banks. We have developed or are developing in Queen Anne, Roosevelt, the University District, First Hill, Bitter Lake and Rainier Beach. Bellwether’s resident population overall is majority BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), and our larger households with children are nearly 80% families of color. Low-income families have fewer housing options than any other population in Seattle. Since 2016, Bellwether has prioritized the development of 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom units to create as many options as possible for low-income families. Although these units are more challenging to develop and operate, Bellwether believes it is imperative that our community be a place in which lower income families – particularly BIPOC families - can thrive. Our apartment communities include resident amenity areas, such as community rooms, outdoor play spaces, gardens, and laundry; and attentive on-site management. Our on-site resident services program connects residents with the resources, services, benefits, and community relationships they need to thrive. Future Looking forward, Bellwether continues to integrate four decades of success with innovative and pioneering development approaches to make housing in our region more accessible, inclusive, and affordable to all. In the next five years, we plan to build or acquire 2500 new apartments, grow our organization to maintain and operate these new units, and embed anti-racism into our organization's culture and work. ​ Five Year Plan You can view our Strategic Plan here. ​ Our Financials View our 2020 Audit View our 2019 Audit View our 2018 Audit ​ ​ Approach

Home Support Us Donate DONATE NOW Every gift empowe rs a household donateform Make your donation online: (If this form is not working, donate here. ) Looking for other ways to donate? Learn about more options for making a donation Or, mail your donation: ​ You can send a check or money order to this address: Bellwether Housing Attn: Fundraising 433 Minor Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 Contact Us For more about ways to support Bellwether, contact: Mariel Wettick , Events & Fundraising Manager ​ Send an email Give in Honor or Memory of a Loved One Making a donation to Bellwether Housing is a special way to honor an important occasion in the life of a friend, family member, or colleague. Making a gift to Bellwether can also be a meaningful way to remember a loved one who has passed. To make a gift in honor of a loved one on our website, please note this in the Comment section of our donation form above and include the name of the person you are honoring, the name of the person who should receive notice of your gift, and that person’s mailing address. We will send them a letter letting them know of your donation and its impact. If making a donation using a check, then please include the same information as above in a note enclosed with the check. Thank you for considering a gift to Bellwether Housing as a way of celebrating or honoring a loved one.​ Tax Information Bellwether Housing is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our tax ID is 91-1116960. Your Gift Makes an Impact on Our Whole Community How your contributions help: HOMES We provide and maintain housing for over 6,000 people in your communities! STABILITY We give households more opportunities and assistance to give them a better chance to survive an economic crisis. COMMUNITY Ensure that tenants can stay safely housed. TRANSPORT Each of our buildings is situated for excellent transit options to work and neighborhood amenities and services.

< Back Previous Next Rent and Access Self Certification ​ Residents can download their annual self-certification packet here. Self Certification Packet .pdf Download PDF • 398KB Previous Next

Home Support Us Volunteer Volunteer As a part of Bellwether’s mission to create access to opportunity through affordable housing, our volunteer program helps residents decrease isolation, remain independent in their homes and connected to their communities. Volunteers help fill a variety of needs for residents, while also building meaningful relationships and adding to the thriving communities Bellwether strives to create. Contact Us Volunteer Coordinator Call: (206) 588-0000 Send an email Open Volunteer Positions: Technology Tutor Peer Support Group Leader ​ ​ Ready to volunteer? Follow these 2 easy steps: ​ Step 1: Complete the online application and sign the background check waiver form (these can be submitted online or mailed) ​ Step 2: After you apply, look for an email confirmation regarding the submission of your application. A staff member will contact you as soon as possible to setup a phone interview and discuss your interest further. View upcoming volunteer events

< Back Previous Next Policies Discriminatory Harassment ​ Bellwether does not tolerate acts of harassment based on a person’s race, color, ancestry, sex, disability, creed, religion, age, national origin, marital status, political ideology, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, use of a service animal, use of a Section 8 voucher or other protected class. If you believe you have been the victim of discriminatory harassment by another resident or a Bellwether employee, please report it in writing to your Site Manager who will initiate an investigation. Previous Next

< Back Previous Next Services Advocating for Affordable Housing ​ We are glad that you found housing at Bellwether. You likely know firsthand how challenging it can be to find an affordable place to live in Seattle. Bellwether Housing is responding to the need for affordable housing by adding 2500 new apartments to our portfolio by 2025, including three buildings currently under construction. We are focusing on building many 2- and 3-bedroom apartments for larger families. We invite you to share how affordable housing has had an impact on your life! Your story is powerful. By sharing your experience, you are showing our supporters and community why housing matters. If you would like to get updates about Bellwether’s work, you can sign up for our newsletter at bellwetherhousing.org . If you would like to help us advocate for affordable housing, email marketing@bellwetherhousing.org for more information. We’d love to talk with you! You can see examples of our advocacy work on social media: Instagram: @Bellwether_Housing Facebook: Bellwether Housing Twitter: @BW_Housing Youtube: Bellwether Housing Previous Next

Our Housing Housing Development Property Management Resident Services Resident Grievances Maintenance Requests Client Projects Resident Services Our Resident Services Program is a team of devoted staff members who work with residents to find the resources and services they need to thrive. The Resident Services program is free and confidential for all Bellwether Housing residents. We are here to help. Our apartments are a strong foundation for our residents to grow, stabilize, rebuild, and thrive, and often residents need additional benefits and services to be stable, healthy, and thriving. By coupling housing with services, residents have stable homes and additional support in solving problems and achieving their goals. Our program secured $3.65 million in rent relief for residents who lost income due to COVID-19. We delivered over 10,000 meals to residents with barriers to access healthy food during the pandemic. We hired three women-owned catering businesses that had lost business during the pandemic to work on these efforts. Contact Us Our Resident Services Coordinators are friendly, supportive people that can help you navigate challenges and build community. Send an email We continue to focus on COVID relief and recovery for residents, particularly through our Work Force Initiative (WF) . The WF Initiative assists residents getting back into the work force by helping with resume writing, interview prep, and finding job training programs. We have partnered with Seattle Public Libraries, who are providing resources for self-employment and starting small businesses. And, we are working with local community colleges and training centers for residents who wanted to pursue career trainings and certificates. ​ Other recovery initiatives include finding continued rental assistance as tenant protections are phased out, providing summer educational opportunities for youth in collaboration with Seattle Public Schools and working with a range of service providers to ensure marginally housed and homeless households can access housing and be successful after moving in. SHOW MORE Service We Provide ​ Answer Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security questions ​ Get DSHS services ​ Find childcare ​ Get renter’s insurance ​ Access low-cost, healthy food or meal delivery ​ Sign up for low-cost transportation ​ Sign up for unemployment and disability benefits ​ Get low-cost internet ​ Get a free or low-cost cell phone ​ Find English as a Second Language Classes ​ Sign up for rental assistance ​ Assist with financial planning ​ Find low cost health care ​ Access mental health services ​ Find addiction-treatment services ​ Help you find to legal services ​ Advocate on your behalf ​ Connect you to community resources

< Back Previous Next ​ Neighbors and Community Safety ​ Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other. Discuss the building, neighborhood, and exchange contact details. Inform trustworthy neighbors when you plan to be away so that they can keep an eye out on your place. Building management hosts community events. Residents can also lead events or gatherings. If you’d like to organize community, reach out to Building Management. Being part of community events and getting to know your neighbors builds a sense of community. An active, strong, and engaged community is a deterrent against crime at a property. Previous Next

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Resident Grievances, Feedback, and Concerns We welcome and appreciate resident involvement and feedback. ​ Note: If you have an immediate building maintenance issue or need to report a safety or security concern, please use our Maintenance Request/Incident Report Form . Our goal is to provide safe, affordable, and high-quality housing. We strive to make your home just that: “your home.” We recognize that living within a community can bring unexpected issues or concerns involving neighbor relations and expectations. We also understand that residents may not always agree with our policies, conclusions, or our actions. The intent of this process is to contribute to a positive living atmosphere where our residents can express concerns without any fear of retaliation and with the expectation of a prompt, carefully considered response. ​ Information about our grievance process is available here . ​ Please use this form to share concerns, complaints, feedback, make a formal grievance, or provide any positive experiences that you would like to share. First Name Last Name Email Phone Number Your Building Your Apartment Number Have you discussed your concern with your Site Manager? Yes No I understand this may not be considered a Grievance if I haven't attempted to address the issue with my Site Manager first. This doesn't apply if the complaint is about your site Manager. Would you like your Resident Services Coordinator to reach out to you for additional support? (You will still receive a response from Property Management if you ask for RSC support.) Yes No Describe your concern below in is as much detail at possible. How would you like this issue to be resolved? Bellwether is prohibited from discussing resident issues with anyone but the leaseholder(s) unless you sign a Release of Information. Submit