Posted on April 28, 2026
Post categories: Alumni & Partners In the Media News Real Estate
The Housing Futures Center (HFC) at the University of Washington has launched to help address Washington’s most pressing housing challenges and advance innovative new ideas. The HFC integrates education, research, and community engagement to build capacity and support informed decision-making among policymakers, advocates, developers, housing providers, tenants, and homeowners to shape a future where every Washingtonian has access to housing.
The HFC emphasizes the importance of the full spectrum of housing from supportive to market rate. Its work advances diverse and innovative solutions for both renters and homeowners across the state, with a focus on the shared goals of housing attainability, thriving communities, and shared prosperity.
“Housing in Washington is increasingly out of reach, and the human, social, and economic consequences are significant,” said Gregg Colburn, founder and director of the Housing Futures Center, and a faculty member in the College of Built Environments’ Runstad Department of Real Estate. “Our focus is to build the knowledge, partnerships, and capacity needed to support effective, lasting solutions.”
As part of the University of Washington’s public mission, the HFC brings together interdisciplinary expertise and cross-sector partnerships, with the government, nonprofit, and private sectors, to create a hub where data, research, education, and collaboration lead to action. It provides opportunities for students, faculty, and community partners to generate and share data, build an evidence base around housing, and advance exciting and innovative approaches.
The Puget Sound Regional Council has been a key partner in advancing the vision for the Housing Futures Center as part of a broader effort to strengthen data-informed housing policy across the region and state.
“Housing and affordability remain critical challenges for local elected officials and the residents they serve across the Puget Sound region,” said Josh Brown, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council. “This is about whether people can remain in the places they call home, support their families, and build a future. Strengthening data tools, research, and education will be essential to making that possible.”
The launch of the HFC is made possible through early leadership support from a range of partners, including JPMorganChase, Microsoft, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and Challenge Seattle, as well as additional individual and organizational supporters. These investments have been essential to the successful launch of the Housing Futures Center.