The Affordable Housing Babysitter Dresses to Impress an Actress

May 11

Written By Kelly K

🤷‍♀️ ESTIMATED READING TIME: THIRTY TWO MINUTES

Disclaimer: 
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!

I popped into city hall for an affordable housing update (just before heading to film a nonprofit promo). Between the tight agenda, the late start, and the soap-opera-level triangle unfolding near me, this was less about housing and more about networking (?). Still, a few key messages stuck… and so did the sense that nobody’s quite running the show (?)

Then it was off to be an actress for a nonprofit I support!

Topics: Affordable Housing, Rent Control, Leadership, Equity, Acting, Promo Videos, Consent, Narrative, Branding

What’s going on with affordable housing in Seattle? Let’s find out!! Now that rental control has begun (or begins soon?) let’s hear how it’s going and what leadership is talking about. But I can’t stay long, gotta be an actress in a hype videoooo!!

Why Attend: Well, from what I hear, rent control is no problem as long as people stay accountable, incentivised, and upkeep properties. That’s why I’m gonna come babysit time to time and see how it’s going! hahaha. IDK. I’m still understanding it all. Could be wrong. But, I like to learn about this topic - and hear what people are talking about!! It’s good to understand, and then help others understand as well. Next, I’ll run over to be in a promo video for a nonprofit I support. As far as I can tell, they’re pretty awesome (which HONESTLY is VERY hard to find… sit makes sense, kinda, why they’d think of me for this role. They know I’m a fan!) Then, if I’m lucky, I’ll go BACK to the first event for lunch 😂

Ratings (coming soon): Venues (,/5) Food (/5), Speaker Content (/5), Networking (/5), Likeliness to Return (/5)

Photo Collage From Events!

Notes from the Event:

This blog won’t be too long, compared to others. But still a bit -

The lunch was in the city hall. It was through a back entrance with bright red doors welcoming you. Red lights too, it looked like you were walking into a cool night0club or something. Very bold and fashion-forward.

Then inside was setup like a bar to the left, a stage in front, some seating, a cute library with lots of books to the right. Lots of decorations and info on the books.
It reminded me of the visitors center / radio station in Knoxville, kinda, where they’d have daily (almost?) live shows with amazing bands. I feel like this place should be hosting live concerts daily.
They did have decorations showing they have lots of authors and even some music there, so, it’s good to see community events and more to do!
Famous local pastries are offered.
These two sit down, an adorable lady and a charming guy. He says, this does “NOT count as our coffee together” and she says, “no, we should get drinks sometime”. He says deal. She has a big wedding ring and he’s there sitting closer to her, also wearing a wedding ring. They have very warm body language lol. And just joking and laughing.
I met a woman who loves that I spend time making content for kids. She’s so funny though. She thanked me for doing it but didn’t ask to see it. LOL. Peopel are so funny. She said she has kids who need it.
- Then she did ask the name at hte end and I told her but I told her it’s on pause too. She said she works with a group to coordinate efforts in different regions, getting kids into schools and areas where they deserve to learn.
Adorable people are here. This one guy is so sweet. My age or a tiny bit older but hunched over a bit and just a sweet character with a shoulder bag and snacks.
OMG YOU WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER GUESS WHAT HAPPENED.
- I just was zoning out, thinking, and guess WHO WAVED AT WHO!?!?!?!?!
- The adorable hunched-over guy and the married girl wh wants to go get drinks with the married guy!! And guess who got a moment of insecurity - the married guy who said they shoudl go get drinks hahahaha. OMG this love triangle. With at least two married parties.
The awkward archer is not sporting a ring. LOL.
Well now this event is running late. Which is funny to see when they have this schedule literally broken into minutes. The first five mines is welcom/framing. The next ten minutes is opening remarks. The next five minutes is a proclamation, the next five minutes is an advocate of the year champion awards. The next is messaging segment and toolkit for abundance, and then there is a break… But I’ll have to go before that.
- So it is funny to see them running late with this tight schedule. Why make such a tight schedule??
Right now guys, while this is running late, who does the EMCEE come off stage to give a hug to? “Let’s go get drinks girl”!! Hahaha. He’s friends with the other guy too. Wants to get drinks married guy. OmG.
They are not focused on this schedule or agenda. They are socializing. LOL - this event is from 10-1, lunch is 12:30-1… I thought I could at least get 45 minutes of content here. But, hahah. Looks like it’ll be more like 40 minutes.
- Also, now that I look at this list, I see that a woman I’ve seen speak before will speak again. She has a recognizable name.
The housing development consortium logo looks like a repeating mirror. Lol. Like never ending. Not a solution. That’s just my opinion.
A girl comes and sits down next to me and says, “OH WOW! Some of my favoriteeee people!” And then sits in the chair next to me and starts talking to them all, totally ignoring me. Then she gets up eventually and goes and talks to “drinks girl” - lol. Everyone loves her.
- But I’ll tell you this: DRINKS GIRL. When she said hi to me when she sat down, I thought I’d met her before. She has this way of talking to you where you feel she REALLY knows you. I was like, “Have I met her?” But I don’t think I have. So I think everyone has this feeling and craves it a bit.
Now we are 8 great minutes late btw. And this married guy seems jealous every time someone comes and takes this girl’s attention from him, but he also enjoys the conversation. I just see myself in him. Hahaha. I’ve been that guy.
It’s so surprising this is running so late. I wonder if they’re waiting for someone to show up or do something. Now I wanna pay attention and see what triggers their decision to start. Since they’re already so late for such a high-structured event.
So, it looks like they’re talking, people in charge… scoping. Thinking to start, but no one wants to start?
They’re looking at the schedule now and I saw a little grimace f disappointment as they may realize the time and the reality until now. (DUDE!! TOWN HALL CAANT NOT BE ON TIME!?! LOL of all places) - yeah it seems they are waiting on someone. The way they’re looking it looks like they feel hopeless, just hugging their arms and standing in a littel huddle with their room open towards the doors. Like they’re happy to see someone arrive instantly and all three of them will see it the moment that person arrives.
- I wonder if they will guilt that person for being late? If so, well… he will have bad vibes.
Okay there is a guy strolling in that closed the doors, but now he’s jsut strolling towards the bar out of sight. So, he’s not “The one” I guess? Just a guy. Then another guy walked in and hand shook someone.
The emcee is telling a woman and the woman looks shocked. And now the Emcee is talking to the speaker I saw talk before and it seems he’s laying out a Plan Be decision. He looks kidna like, “well, it seems this is going on, so what shoudl we do instead”. And now this table is all laughing while they decide. But now he just went to sit down, so it seems they’ll plan a while?
Or no, now this strolling guy just went to he front and then said “YES START” to the Emcee. So, here we are, starting 11 minutes late. 😂
Okay - this emcee says they’re building towards a more abundant future for affordable housing. They work across many aisles of the political spectrum…. They work to see change uh, across uh policy on affordable hosing funding, land user reform, construction, and homes of all uh types, and uh sizes. And to ensure that housing is healthy stable and safe, um, I wanna star off with a quick sponsor acknowledgment. And offering you, uh, free uh pastries and coffee in this beautiful space. Hold applause till the end.

SPEECHES BEGIN

Leadership sponsors - some companies I didn’t really hard of before, but finance, construction, wahtever.
Then they have champion sponsors. And thats a lot more people. And then the ambassador scholars, I mean sponsors. And those he lists off even more.
LOL lots of peopel around me are playing on their phones and bored. ALREADY hahah.
Next they’ll hear from the lady I’ve heard before. Then a council woman will talk and we name this week officially. Then we do an award, and messaging toolkit presentation.
Then finally, close with some legislative updates. But I’ll have to go before that.
OKAY up next is the lad yI heard speak before. I remember now, she has a really unique voice. Let’s ee- yes!! Hahaha. She does.
- -She says it’s wonderful to be with all of you, as always I see people in developing, housing, elected officials which change policies, advocates, general contractors, architects, you are the people making real lasting housing solutions possible. Round of applause for each of you!
Before going any further, importantly acknowledge ether elected officials. Your commitment makes this possible. Your leadership is more important than ever. We appreciate that you demonstrate. Many of you stood with us as the governor signed housing bills. We marked the year of housing 2.0.
That progress is made possible by all of us coming together collaborating across sectors and partnerships.
Continuing to cultivate and understand how together we are stronger and can scale and impact.
We are in a housing crisis, let’s be clear. We continue to be in a point, as a community, where nowhere in our state, in our region has enough deeply affordable homes that meet people’s needs

Audience says “mmhmm”

Families struggle to stay housed, rents CONTINUE to skyrocket.

We are not producing housing at scale.
Pemitting numbers have been down since 2022.
If we don’t turn the corners quickly, the people who will feel it the most are the low income. They are part of the social fabric. We’ve got to do the critical work to produce more homes at scale.

We’ve got to do everything we can to produce more housing that meets everyone’s needs.

We can not do that work alone. We do that work together.

It takes all of us coming together in collaboration to scale the solutions we continue to believe upon.
We rise together, we build together, we advocate for affordable homes. This week we recontinue on that commitment. To realize we’ve got to continue to show up and scale on the progress we’ve made so far.
At the face of this progress is a growing need for housing.
We know we are surrounded by uncertainty by federal funding that has shifted and shrinking (DUH! Cause we gotta cause reverse repo lol)

It’s not just about the dollars, it’s about the treatment and critical substance that people need.
It’s about hope for people.
Those dollars build homes, keep people housed.
We’ve got a responsibility right here to double down on the progress we’ve been making.

We can not double down without each other. We’ve got to do it in collaboration together in order to scale.
- The audience breaks into applause.

NEXT SPEAKER

Local council member - she gives a hug to this lady. LOL. It was a little awkward but sweet. Then she drops her remarks on the flor and jokes she’s opening strong. Lol.
She says it’s an exciting, uh, thing each year we celebrate affordable housing each year. Too many peopel can’t afford a safe and healthy place to call home.
Instability and homeless is stress, disruption, trauma. They can’t pursue the life they should be able to live.
When our community allows it, we build and enforce social stratification and increased suffering. We feed the deviciveness tearing at our community fabric. We feed that when we don’t allow enough housing in a healthy and sustainable way.
That kind of attention that was being drawn by efforts like the affordable housing week helped to build the political will we’re starting to see turn the corner today. The momentum is going to make and do better.
I focus on advocacy and advancing housing and housing affordability.
Just yesterday we built new permanent affordable housing near the lite rail. When peopel can live where they can work and have access to great services, education, the things you need in life to be successful.
All people should have access to safe and affordable homes. Housing on which the occupant is paying no more than 30% of ho… (idk what she said)
200,000 housing needed for at or below 80% of medium income.
Each $1 increase in rent leads to 15% homelessness
- (something like that - what? how would that even math?)
Everyone benefits from affordable housing. The neighbors, community, and whole.
We proclaim this week affordable housing week. To help raise public awareness and elevate the need to make healthy communities, with dignity, with safe healthy and affordable homes.
- Everyone breaks into applause.
Then the lady from before gets back on stage but walks up without usign the stairs so she struggles to get up and the councilwoman says, “I didn’t mean to make you do that” and then they turn to take a picture and then leave the stage.
Next: Advocate of the Year award. To recognize members who stepped up (but he keeps stumbling) - they give it to this guy who I noticed earlier. Cause he has a really unhealthy physique. Idk how else to say it. He’s friendly looking. He says thanks for honoring me. I didn’t prepare anything. Don’t want to blow past your time. Hearing the storis of the work we do, it’s funny how timing works. Ig to reminded last Friday why we do this work and fight for affordable housing. For those that know, I grew up in Bellevue, went to high school and had a friend there who lived at hidden village. A king county housing affordable housing developments. I started walking through their developments before even working for them. He was my good friend throughout high school.
After you go your separate ways and who knows what happens. I ran into him on a Friday night. My daughter school had multicultural night.
He talked about how he was the fits one in his family to go to college. He was a civil engineer for the city of Seattle. He had a beautiful daughter in kindergarten. We are catching ip. It’s a very real example of the work we do and the impact we have.
He was able to live there, get a great education, go t college. Because of affordable housing.
When we talk about all of this, this I what we’re doing. We have impact on people’s lives. We have had a huge impact. We’ve changed thousands of people’s lives and continue to do so.
Next person who won takes a bot. Another asian American. She also hasn’t prepared anything, “But I can talk”. She is honored to receive it. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. My community, the group of people whose life has been forgotten, those are the ones with mental and intellectual disabilities. Including my son. Our work started 16 years ago. We didn’t know what we were doing but we knew the community needs services. Services to provide innovation and think of what is needed.
Now we have housing with services on site that can meet needs. We are thankful for our sponsors. These amazing partners to make this dream possible.
LOL there is a guy in teh front with headphones browsing his phone. Like an older man watching sports or something. OMG. Funny and dumb.

NEXT SPEAKER

NEXT is a speech on abundance. This speaker looks like the adorable awkward guy from earlier’s twin brother. Haha. He worked for a senator in the past. He worked in political communications. Now he’s in more reputable business and communicates on housing (he jokes). He’s. Member of welcoming neighborus, plays across the country, (some groups idk)
They invest in state fights and technical and campaign supports looking for communities wanting to be more effective.
Great to be with peopel workign to improve their communities.
- This guy looks like he’s wearing a bullet proof best under his shirt.
Most messaging in this space is riddled with jargon that everyoen in the housing community knows but non one else outside the community undrestands. So he had to figure out a messaging framework to talk to decision makers, please advocates, etc.
He interviewed over 60 practitioners, lawmakers, staff, etc.
- What messages are they hearing? Which are effective and which suck?
- What concerns about housing you don’t know how best to address.
Okay - I got an update I need to leave in 20 min. I wanna get myself more tea - also!! The next place will drive me to/from the filming. Love it!! Thanks guys.
When you use big words people don’t understand they don’t get it. We need to use their language.
- Meet people where they are!!
HE IS FLYING through this presentation but each slide is FULL of words and you can’t even see the bottom cause everyone’ heads and shoulders.
He says we need to focus on people in teh community now when talking about housing.
This is what I was talking about ‘Jargon’ - people cast their worst dispersions on things they don’t understand.
We can make it legal to convert a basement or garage into a home where a family can live or a caregiver or they rent out.
Homes of all sized and prices will give more peopel a chance to own a home, build wealth, and build an opportunity for themselves.
He keeps going through some slides and skipping them. These transition slides. It’s like he did it out of habit from school, but then left them there for the audience.
IDK what is he saying though, he goes through all of this so fast.
Remember that nothing is set in stone and we can all solve this!! We can make changes.
They are woried about grandparents unable to downsize in communities they lived in their entire life (good point!!)
This wording works best due to their testing:
- Homes that local workers who serve our communities can afford.
- Home choices young peopel can afford to keep families together.
- Affordable home choices for local seniors to downsize in their community
- Starter homes that build … (idk, he skipped through)
He says there’s a way to use the framework to talk about all four issues.
The wealthy outbid workign and everyoen else suffers (but is that happenign just bigger and we’re talking about the lower layer?)

After that, I left and went to go be an actress for a video/commerical for a nonprofit I support. As far as I can tell, they are great. And this is extremely rare to find.

I’ll likely write more about it later (and clean up the content above so it’s a bit more organized and colorful). but for now, this is the amount of work I want to do for today. If any of you read this randomly now.

Overall Event Reviews, Further Elaborated:

Venue (/5):

Food (/5):

Speaker Content (/5):

Networking (/5):

Likeliness to Return (/5):

Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time.

Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if there’s no other reason to go. Let’s see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. 😊

Kelly K