BHI & 1DROP: Partnering for Change
BHI’s Core Team with new 1DROP addition. Left to Right: Dominique Remy (1DROP), Denise Rodriguez (WHRC), Linda Taylor (Urban League Metropolitan Seattle), Nicole Bascomb-Green (Western Washington Realtist), Michael Brown (Civic-Commons), Lauren E. McGowan (LISC Puget Sound), Darryl Smith (HomeSight), Corey Orvold (Coldwell Banker Danforth). Missing: Patience Malaba (Housing Development Consortium).
An Alliance for Housing Equity
We are excited to announce the partnership between 1DROP and the Black Home Initiative (BHI). The BHI is an impact network of private, public, and non-profit organizations contributing a transformative effort to tackle systemic racial inequities in homeownership and development. Through a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration, we aim to create tangible pathways to generational wealth and equitable housing opportunities for communities of color. This partnership underscores the importance of collective action in driving meaningful and lasting change. The BHI has:
Providing to $10,000 to 1DROP to support a hands-on developer of color mentoring program
Invited 1DROP’s interim Executive Director, Dominique Remy, to sit on it’s Core Team
BHI’s mission focuses on increasing low and moderate-income Black homeownership by 1,500 households in the Seattle-Tacoma area by addressing three critical components:
1) Expanding the pool of qualified Black homebuyers.
2) Boosting the supply of affordable homes.
3) Advocating for systemic policy changes.
BHI’s Seven Point Plan
“A network - led by a network weaver weaving on the daily - has the potential to dismantle systems and enact policy better than any existing methodology.”
- Gregory Davis, BHI Initial Core Team member, Managing Strategist at Rainier Beach Action Coallition.
Investing in Future Builders: Mentorship for Developers of Color
A key highlight of this collaboration is BHI's funding support, enabling 1DROP to develop a hands-on mentoring program tailored for emerging developers of color. Through this partnership, the BHI is investing in an innovative model for “by-and-for” for sale housing to ensure representation and wealth generation opportunities throughout the continuum. This initiative is designed to empower and equip the next generation of leaders in the housing industry with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed.
“Our mission is to ensure that the developers and builders of tomorrow come from the communities they serve,” Dominique Remy, Co-Founder of 1DROP, explained. “Nationally, only 0.5% of real estate developers are Black or Hispanic. Representation in the built environment matters, and this program is a crucial step toward achieving it.” Further, BHI’s principles for marshaling and allocating resources is all about ensuring the economic benefit of producing homes and benefits developers of color.
The Racial Homeownership Gap in the Seattle-Tacoma Metro Region
From Land to Lending: Bridging Critical Housing Gaps
Beyond mentoring, the partnership extends to strategic projects aimed at addressing key gaps in the housing ecosystem. 1DROP will provide technical expertise to BHI’s supply project teams, focusing on areas like land acquisition, innovative construction financing, and sustainable project designs. By doing so, 1DROP contributes to the broader goal of scaling housing solutions while fostering innovation and inclusion.
“For 1DROP, being part of BHI’s network validates our mission and amplifies our impact. It’s a partnership rooted in accountability and shared purpose. This way of organizing is very similar to how 1DROP aspires to operate.”
- Dominique Remy, Co-Founder of 1DROP.
Building a Future of Equity and Opportunity
Looking ahead, the collaboration will focus on launching demonstration projects that integrate sustainability and innovation. These efforts aim to address immediate needs while laying the foundation for long-term systemic change. By aligning expertise and resources, 1DROP and BHI are setting the stage for a future where homeowner.
1DROP achieves its mission by, externally:
Advocating for funding for developers of color and their projects
Advocating for policy solutions that enable more housing
And internally by providing:
Apprenticeships for aspiring developers of color
Co-development for emerging developers of color
Mentorship, networking, resources and support services for all developers of color
For those inspired to learn more or get involved in supporting equitable housing, visit Support Developers to explore our initiatives and join us in making an impact.
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