Convening to finance the environment we want – and need

This October, Futurewise will be hosting a convening on innovative financing tools such as pay for success, credit trading, environmental impact bonds, and community-based public private partnerships – with the hopes of inspiring local governments and agencies to start thinking creatively about how to solve some of our region’s most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges.

The convening will bring together experts in the field from organizations like Quantified Ventures, Corvias, Fresh Coast Capital, and the Willamette Partnership for presentations and discussion with a host of cross-sector leaders representing DNR, DOE, local jurisdictions, Boeing, Seattle Public Utilities and a host of others.

What’s at stake for Futurewise in this effort?  In the long-term, we see the innovative financing tool as a means of potentially encouraging more economically sustainable development across the state – perhaps taking advantage of the cost differential between what municipalities are looking for in terms of tax base, and what we know they end up paying out for infrastructure maintenance and public services.  A report will be developed from the convening that will summarize the outcomes – and we look forward to posting it before the end of the year.

Category Archives: News

Convening to finance the environment we want – and need

This October, Futurewise will be hosting a convening on innovative financing tools such as pay for success, credit trading, environmental impact bonds, and community-based public private partnerships – with the hopes of inspiring local governments and agencies to start thinking … Continue reading

Using Surplus Properties for Affordable Housing

Many of our communities publicly owned land that is no longer a necessity; with our State’s desperate need for more affordable housing, it makes sense for jurisdictions to sell that excess land to below market rate for the production of … Continue reading

Pierce County Council Votes to Double Protected Working Farms

On August 14, 2018, the Pierce County Council voted to double amount of working farmland county policy will conserve long-term. The recent Pierce County Fresh Look report concluded that “[t]here’s near-consensus support for protecting Pierce County’s best farmland and sustaining the economic … Continue reading

A DAM Good Time!

Wow, what a great night! We were thrilled to see over 100 people turn out to learn about Woody Guthrie and the Grand Coulee Dam, and listen to music from local artists Trentalange, Matt Tilghman-Havens, and Naomi Wachira. Greg Vandy, … Continue reading

Could High Speed Rail Come to Washington?

Futurewise is serving on the Advisory Committee for the Ultra High-Speed Ground Transportation Study – a WSDOT effort to investigate  intercity passenger transportation system traveling at speeds of 250 mph or more between Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR (with several … Continue reading

Futurewise Recommends Changes to Riparian Ecoystem Management

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is updating their recommendations for scientifically sound management of riparian ecosystems (rivers, streams and surrounding areas). Futurewise largely supports these changes and the attached comment letter outlines our suggestions for improving them … Continue reading

Seattle for Everyone Update

For over a year, Futurewise has been leading the outreach work for the Seattle for Everyone Coalition’s support of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA). Within the HALA are 65 distinct policy recommendations that work together to address the … Continue reading

Storytelling and Advocacy at the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance Conference

Last week, Outreach Coordinator Angela Compton traveled to Yakima with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA) to facilitate a workshop on Storytelling for Advocacy at the 2018 Conference for Ending Homelessness. Having experienced homelessness and housing instability herself, Angela … Continue reading

Futurewise Hosts Panel Discussion for Affordable Housing Week

Futurewise partnered with S4E and Welcoming West Seattle to host a panel discussion for Affordable Housing Week 2018. The discussion was held at Southwest Youth and Family Services in West Seattle and covered the topics of transit oriented development and … Continue reading

Tacoma City Council Approves Mall Neighborhood Plan with Support from Community

Futurewise is excited to announce that the Tacoma City Council voted unanimously to approve the Tacoma Mall Subarea Plan on Tuesday, May 15. The plan is an innovative example of smart urban growth, including increases in transportation access, implementation of affordable housing … Continue reading