Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging 

The King County Housing Authority is deeply committed to becoming an anti-racist, multi-cultural organization, both within the agency and in the communities we serve.

KCHA views equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) as the pathway to achieving social justice and fostering a culture where residents, people in the communities we serve, and our employees can thrive.

We are committed to evaluating our services and polices through an anti-racism lens, and we are dedicated to actively adopting anti-racist, anti-oppression, and inclusive practices.

Read our 2022 EDIB report (PDF) and our Board of Commissioners' anti-racism proclamation from June 19, 2020.

Background

KCHA’s cultural competency journey has roots in the 1990’s, with the formation of internal staff committees, the Cultural Awareness Committee and Diversity Awareness Committee.

A major moment for the agency occurred in 2018, when KCHA conducted an agency-wide presentation on redlining and the disproportionate number of Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color (BIPOC) experiencing homelessness. Staff demanded a response. After the presentation, the staff-led Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) committee was formed.

KCHA established the Office of EDIB in the summer of 2021 to help shape and lead our organization-wide strategy to embed EDIB into every aspect of KCHA’s work, acknowledging a range of intersectional identities, and placing emphasis on racial equity.

In 2022, KCHA engaged in its first search for a new Executive Director in 25 years. The search focused on inclusive leadership practices and candidates who demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Robin Walls, President/CEO, joined KCHA in 2022.