1DROP at Housing Washington 2025: Presence, Perspective, and Progress
Housing Washington 2025 brought together leaders, advocates, and changemakers advancing affordable housing across Washington State.
Led by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, in partnership with the Department of Commerce and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, the conference underscored the impact of alignment across public, private, and community sectors in advancing racial equity and housing justice.
From statewide policy sessions to grassroots strategy discussions, 11 members of the 1DROP network—staff, partners, and collaborators—contributed ideas rooted in lived experience, data, and collective impact. The event reflected what 1DROP stands for: strengthening an ecosystem where underrepresented developers and community-rooted organizations don’t just participate — but help redefine the future of housing.
Showing Up With Purpose
1DROP's presence extended beyond the main conference floor. Caleb Jackson, Executive Director of Resource Equity Association and 1DROP strategic partner, served as a panelist at the Community Based Organization Summit hosted by HDC. Through Resource Equity Association's mission to help historically displaced communities in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties maintain their homes and build generational wealth, Caleb highlighted how local, community-rooted solutions are essential to lasting housing equity.
Caleb Jackson speaking at the Community Based Organization Summit.
Housing Washington also served as a moment of recognition. During the Friends of Housing Awards, 1DROP’s co-founder Dominique Rémy received the Emerging Leader Award, and member Noemi Cagatin-Porter was honored with the Homeownership Equity Award. Their recognition underscored 1DROP’s trajectory — not only as a network supporting developers, but as a collective shaping the future of equitable housing.
1DROP members Noemi Cagatan-Porter and Dominique Rémy holding their Friends of Housing Awards.
On the final day, Dominique Rémy joined Marty Kooistra (Black Home Initiative / Civic Commons and 1DROP advisor) and Elizabeth Perez (Washington Homeownership Resource Center) for the session “BHI Update: Data, Outcomes, Promising Practices, and Growth.”. The discussion unpacked the measurable progress of the Black Home Initiative (BHI) and looked ahead to its statewide expansion.
From left to right: Dominique Rémy, Elizabeth Perez and Marty Kooistra.
Reflections from the 1DROP Crew
Each 1DROP staff and member came away with insights that connected back to the broader mission — building homes and systems that create lasting opportunity.
Ashley Gallacher, 1DROP Member, celebrated the collective progress of aligned partners:
“Seeing all the success BHI has accomplished this far—meeting and exceeding expectations. In today's environment, it's so great seeing people still fighting and working so hard for the basic needs of our communities.”
Reggie Brown, 1DROP Co-Founder, reflected on how insights from the conference may shape future strategy:
“The average first-time buyer household is 2.6 persons. In our original pitch deck, we laid out the percentage of households that we would serve by income. The next step is to adjust the size of the house based on income.”
Krosbie Carter, 1DROP Director of Partnership, Development & Policy, offered a systems-level reflection:
“The thing we all are working towards, in one way or another, is homeownership. But in 10 years, that goal post of ‘who and when’ has shifted considerably. The average first-time homeowner is now 38 years old. If homeownership is the best way to build wealth in our communities, what does that say about wealth building starting halfway through our working lives? The impact that has on retirement age?”
Keenan Grayson, 1DROP Senior Program Manager, reflected on a a call to refocus on root causes, not distractions:
“One of my biggest takeaways from the event happened during one of the panel interviews—there was a call to action that really stuck with me: ‘focus on the fire, not the smoke.’ It was a reminder about how important our focus is, and the need to be intentional about directing resources toward the root cause rather than the symptoms.”
During the BHI mixer, a line from Nicole Bascomb-Green stood out to 1DROP Interim Chief of Staff Rasheed Thompson as a key takeaway:
“‘Lead me, follow me, or get out of the way!’.”
Noemi Cagatin-Porter, 1DROP Member, reflecting on her award and journey, shared a note of gratitude and perseverance:
“Five years ago, I was just trying to make it work in this nonprofit space—no roadmap, just heart. Now I see how far faith, grit, and pure tenacity can carry you when you move with purpose. It’s surreal, humbling, and real all at once. Grateful for the journey, the people, and the lessons that made this more than a dream. Now let’s move mountains together.”
Moving Forward Together
Housing Washington 2025 served as a reaffirmation of collective progress—showcasing how far the affordable housing field has come while challenging everyone involved to keep pushing for systems that work for all communities.
For 1DROP, the takeaway is clear: when underrepresented developers are supported and included at the decision-making table, the entire ecosystem grows stronger. The network's presence at Housing Washington wasn't just about being in the room—it was about contributing expertise, building partnerships, and demonstrating that equity in housing development is both essential and achievable.
Together—with partners, agencies, and fellow advocates—we're building homes for good.
About 1DROP
1DROP is a collective of underrepresented real estate developers addressing the Puget Sound housing crisis. We are committed to empowering underrepresented developers to build housing for all wages, all stages, and all ages while growing access to generational wealth.
1DROP achieves its mission by, externally:
Advocating for funding for underrepresented developers and their projects.
Advocating for policy solutions that enable more housing.
And internally by providing:
Apprenticeships for aspiring underrepresented developers.
Co-development for emerging underrepresented developers.
Mentorship, networking, resources and support services for all underrepresented developers.
For those inspired to learn more or get involved in supporting equitable housing, visit 1DROP's website to explore our initiatives and join us in making an impact.
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