1DROP Members Honored at Housing Washington 2025
From left to right: Noemi Cagatin-Porter & Dominique Remy.
At Housing Washington 2025, the state's most significant conference for affordable housing professionals, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission recognized individuals and organizations whose work strengthens Washington's housing ecosystem.
This year, two honorees with ties to 1DROP were recognized for their leadership: Dominique Rémy, Co-Founder and Executive Director of 1DROP, and Noemi Cagatin-Porter, 1DROP member and founder of CJK Community Homes.
Dominique Rémy: Emerging Leader Award
Dominique Rémy received the Friends of Housing Award for Emerging Leader — honoring individuals who demonstrate early, exemplary leadership in advancing housing equity.
In his acceptance speech, Dominique emphasized the intentionality required to shift housing outcomes. He addressed the historic exclusion of Black and Hispanic developers—who represent just half a percent of all developers despite making up 33% of the population—and outlined 1DROP's vision: by the end of this decade, underrepresented developers will build 1% of the housing needed in the region, generating over a billion dollars in economic impact for Black and brown communities.
The speech grounded the award not in personal achievement, but in the shared commitment of 1DROP’s members, staff, and partners — those working together to make equitable development the standard, not the exception.
“We are the springboard, and at times the shield, for underrepresented developers. By doing that, we hope we can enable developers to be able to thrive and be resilient in the long run.”
From left: Steve Walker - Executive Director of Washington State Housing Finance Commission & Dominique Remy, 1DROP Co-founder.
Noemi Cagatin-Porter: Homeownership Equity Award
Noemi Cagatin-Porter received the Homeownership Equity Award for her groundbreaking leadership in advancing homeownership equity. As founder and executive director of CJK Community Homes, Noemi has dedicated her work to creating pathways to housing stability, security, and success for underserved communities in Pierce County. Her approach integrates financial literacy, credit-building programs, and mental health care to help low-income families transition from renting to homeownership.
Noemi’s Rental Reporting Program—which helps renters build credit through monthly rental payments—has become a critical tool for communities with limited access to traditional credit-building resources.
Celebrating Housing Champions
The Friends of Housing Awards also honored leaders whose work is shaping Washington's housing future. From policy and planning to development and advocacy, each awardee reflects the collaboration and commitment driving lasting change across the state.
🏆 Congolese Integration Network – Racial Equity Initiative
🏆 Joseph Frangipani – Unsung Hero
🏆 Washington Homeownership Resource Center Hotline Team – Unsung Hero
🏆 Dominique Remy (1DROP) – Emerging Leader
🏆 Lisa Espinosa – Sustainable Housing
🏆 Liz Murphy – Community Crisis Response
🏆 Noemi Cagatin-Porter – Homeownership Equity
🏆 Shannon Howley – Excellence in Property Management
🏆 Pam Blanton – Lifetime Achievement
Building Homes for Good
For 1DROP, every recognition is more than an individual milestone — it’s a reflection of a shared mission taking hold. Each acknowledgment affirms the impact of collaboration and validates an approach grounded in equity, partnership, and inclusion. When underrepresented voices lead, new ideas take root and lasting change becomes possible.
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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