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June Newsletter: Groundbreaking Part II, SeaTac Farmers Market, Your Civic Duty
- African Community Housing and Development
- 1 hour ago
- 15 min read
This June, we're focused on what matters—community, family, and connection. No matter the distractions that life throws at us, we remain dedicated to the work that uplifts our communities and keeps the spirit of hope alive.
Real Estate
We Broke Ground
In last month’s newsletter, we reported on ACHD’s groundbreaking with Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties (SKKC), which occurred on June 9th, 2025.
What we didn’t report on was the full significance of this project. While we can all agree that affordable housing is important and in high demand, we don’t often think about what led us to this point—why affordable housing is so crucial, especially in the Black community.
It’s within this context that our partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the three housing projects across the Rainier Valley mark a step toward dismantling the enduring disparities of Black homeownership in King County.
The goal is not just to create affordable housing—which often serves only as a simple band-aid slapped on a slow-healing wound—but to commit to cultivating permanent opportunities that have been denied to Black families in King County from the moment communities were established in the late 19th century.
One defining statistic that proves these issues do not exist only in the past but are still very present is that in 1970, nearly half—50%--of Black residents in Seattle owned their homes. Today, that number has fallen to just 28%. This is not a coincidence. This is a result of the intentional disinvestment, unequal access to capital, redlining, and development patterns that are discriminatory and prioritize profit over people.
The Rainier Valley is one of the most diverse areas in Seattle, it’s also one of the most vulnerable to displacement. In recent decades, families—particularly Black and immigrant families—have been pushed further from the communities that they themselves built. Rising costs, speculative development, and a lack of affordable options have forced many to leave the neighborhoods where they’ve established their homes, worked, worshipped, and raised their children.
By building 65 permanently affordable homes in the Rainier Valley, we are not only providing shelter but laying the foundations for families to stay where they’ve planted themselves, feel secure about future of their housing, and, ultimately, build generational wealth for the community as a whole.
Our partnership is creating lasting change, and not just physically with these development projects—we hope to inspire similar collaborations throughout this region and serve as a model for what community organizations can do when they work together.
We want to take a moment to acknowledge our partners in this project who have made this initiative possible: Seattle Office of Housing, Amazon, Grounded Solutions Network, US Bank, and LISC Puget Sound.
Together, the collaboration between our organizations sets a precedent—demonstrating how our joint efforts can successfully address the historical and complex challenges our communities face every day. Collective action is necessary to work toward a future that allows each individual to build a bright future for themselves and their families.
This project proves that when we unite across sectors and center community, we can create lasting change. And it reminds us that the most powerful way to honor history is to learn from it—and to do better, together.
Economic Development
SeaTac Farmers Market Grand Opening + The Need to Know Info
The SeaTac Farmers Market located at the Matt Griffin YMCA opened its figurative doors on June 4th, 2025. Our partnership with the City of SeaTac and the Matt Griffin YMCA is another way we’re building on that theme of what community-centric collaboration can accomplish when we work in tandem.
The day was hot—yes, there were sunburns—but it truly marked the beginning of summer and an exciting market season, with twice the number of vendors as last year.
Community leaders such as SeaTac Mayor Mohammed Egal, Washington State Senator Tina Orwall, SeaTac Councilmember Senayet Negusse, the YMCA’s Tim Jumper, ACHD’s leadership team, and other community members stood there in support of a new weekly market bringing free fresh produce, hot food for travelers, and, overall, a “third space.”
A third space, as Farmers Market Manager Indra Budiman described, “is not home, not work, but another place to just be.”
“I’m very grateful that you’re back for a second year,” said Mayor Egal. “As a city, we’re very happy to partner with ACHD and the Matt Griffin YMCA. I read somewhere that every one-dollar investment to farmers markets saves society. Interaction with the community during a time when we are always alone on social media is a meaningful investment.”
Mayor Egal highlights the impact community involvement has on the market—every dollar spent here has deep ripples in the health and wellness of the whole community. That’s why we want to ask for your—yes you, the reader--your help. As we adjust to our new weekly schedule, we are struggling to maintain foot traffic. So we would like to ask you to please attend AND spread the word about the SeaTac Farmers Market. Our goal is to build something meaningful and lasting—with and for the community. Having locals directly involved in this initiative amplifies that mission in powerful ways.
This market is more than a collection of tents—it’s a living, breathing celebration of South King County’s culture.
To our locals: Every week, local farmers harvest produce that is then redistributed free to community members who need it. First-time business owners—many of them immigrants and refugees—are here to share the food, crafts, and stories of their heritage. Your neighbors gather here not just to shop, but to connect.
To our travelers: We’re located near SeaTac International Airport, and the market is a hidden gem if you’re looking to experience the real Seattle—not just what’s on the postcards. We have a variety of hot food vendors each week. It’s not food you can find just anywhere; you can taste global flavors right in this little spot.
By showing up, you’re not just supporting small businesses. You’re strengthening food equity. You’re investing in economic opportunity. You’re helping create a welcoming, inclusive space where all of us—whether local or just passing through—can feel like we belong.
Plus, where else can you grab fresh tomatoes, a warm samosa, a hand-poured candle, and free fresh produce—all within walking distance of the airport?
This is your chance to make a small choice with a big impact. Come for the food. Stay for the people. And help us build the kind of community we all deserve—one market day at a time.
The SeaTac Farmers Market runs EVERY Wednesday from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Matt Griffin YMCA (3595 S 188th St, SeaTac, WA 98188). Join us for the night market vibes, global hot food options, free fresh produce, and community love!
Education
Family BBQ at Angle Lake
110 youth and their families came out to Angle Lake on Saturday, June 14th, for some relaxed social
time. Our students, who range from elementary to high school-aged, played games like the 3-legged race and engaged in arts and crafts like painting rocks. There was also open field sports, and a jump rope competition that was “ very popular,” according to Ebneazer Tsegaye, Community Engagement Manager. One elementary schooler even beat out all the older kids.
We served a halal BBQ, and our Education staff couldn’t have chosen a better location—Angle Lake has a mini water park, big open grassy areas, and lots of space for kids to just run wild and be kids. It's far enough from the water to feel safe. While it was supposed to rain, it ended up being sunny and beautiful.
This event was one of our recurring family days—we try to do it at least once a month during the summer. The goal is simple: bring families together to socialize and have fun. It’s a nice contrast from our Community Cafés, which tend to focus on more serious topics, but the heart of it is the same—building real relationships and community.
We also want to show families that there’s a lot to do in nature and at our local parks. In this moment, when there is so much going on in the world and our communities are fighting the flood of negative news and tension, this kind of day is huge. Family and community bonding removes the overwhelming distractions we currently face, allowing us to reconnect to what truly matters.
By bringing the community together, we are advancing the Five Protective Factors Framework—
strengthening parental resilience, building social connections, increasing knowledge of parenting and child development, ensuring access to concrete support in times of need, and promoting the social and emotional competence of children.
“When I usually bring my kids to the park, they get bored in half an hour,” said one mom. “I didn’t know they could have fun like this at the park.”
That’s exactly why we do this. Outdoor education and social-emotional learning are tied together.
Kids were saying, “I never want to leave.” Parents helped chaperone too — it felt like the whole community came out to strengthen the spirit of our ACHD family.
President and CEO Hamdi Abdulle joined in the fun, making it even more meaningful and adding to the community bonding.
Aviation Day
11 students had the opportunity to explore Aviation Day, hosted by Alaska Airlines on Saturday, June 7th. It was gigantic—spread across three buildings: The Hub, their training center, and the actual hangar.
One staff member mentioned they had over 1,900 reservations just for the flight simulator alone. Our kids loved it. They walked through real airplanes, tested the simulator, took classes on engineering and aviation, and even learned how planes get painted (especially the cool custom designs used for things like Disney partnerships).
They got swag, met experts in the field, and for many of the students, it was the first time they had ever seen a female pilot. Laurie Stamp, STEAM Program Specialist, made sure they got to talk to her about all the places she’s traveled.
It opened up a whole new world for them—seeing someone like them doing this work made it feel possible.
The students stayed from 9:30 AM –3:30 PM—”a long day”—but Alaska Airlines had an amazing experience from start to finish, with activities that combined education, engagement, and excitement.
This is such a special event that Alaska hosts annually as it gives students the chance to see what else is out there.
For the girls who didn’t know they could be pilots, meeting one face to face in the moment allowed them to open a new realm of future career possibilities.
Our ACHD Career Days this summer will be similar, highlighting the different professional opportunities the world has to offer this young generation.
We’ll have two:
Middle schoolers - July 23, and
High schoolers - August 18.
Summer Camp
Camp schedule:
Elementary summer camp starts June 30
Middle school summer camp starts July 14
High school summer camp starts August 4
Laurie Stamp: “The elementary age camp already has a waitlist because so many kids have signed
up—it’s a good problem to have. I’m excited to get outside with them and have true time in nature. It’s nice in the summer compared to the school year because there’s more time to decompress.”
Ebenezer Tsegaye: “I’m excited about too many kids. We’re going to have a full house this summer. We’ll get to spend way more time with them—about 5 hours a day, compared to just one or two hours a day during the school year. I’m excited about having a planned summer. I expect it to go smoothly.”
Enrollment is way up from last year — the interest is real and the energy is high.
Upcoming Camping Trip
ACHD Families—mark your calendars! On July 18th, we’re headed to Whidbey Island for our big summer camping trip at YMCA’s Camp Casey.
Housing and Social Services
Topics from the Community Cafes - Unincorporated Territories
On June 20, 2025, ACHD hosted a Community Café in the unincorporated Skyway neighborhood, bringing together members of the African Diaspora.
Unincorporated areas are not part of any city—they don’t have a city council, mayor, or municipal departments. Instead, they fall directly under King County Local Services, which handles everything from roads and permits to public safety. So, for example, if someone were to call the police in an unincorporated territory such as Bryn Mawr-Skyway, the King County Sheriff’s Department would show up rather than the Seattle, Renton, or Tukwila Police Department.
Our Case Managers, Betsy Baffa and Abdinasir Mohamed, who have led multiple Community Cafés in the Skyway area and have deep familiarity with the communities living there, report that the Skyway neighborhood is often underserved. As unincorporated areas without city governance, they rely solely on King County Local Services—an agency tasked with managing large territories despite limited staffing and constrained budgets. As a result, essential services such as sidewalks, street lighting, public transit, and recreation centers are frequently deprioritized in these rural or sparsely populated zones.
During the meeting on Friday, Leon Richardson, Director of King County’s Department of Local Services (DLS), which works to connect individuals and families in unincorporated areas of King County to local government services, showed up to answer the community’s questions and inform them on how to get better access to resources.
But ultimately, our Case Managers report that unincorporated regions in King County, especially those that are home to immigrant communities, suffer from a systemic service gap caused by limited municipal infrastructure, low investment, and underrepresentation in the political sphere.
As a community, we often have to rely on ourselves and our neighbors for help. The next steps we can all take in resolving this issue are to recognize and address disparities through culturally responsive programming, small-business support, and advocacy for prioritization in county budgets. You can support these efforts that ACHD takes by joining us at our upcoming Community Cafes and by donating.
Budget Cuts and How You Can Help
We’ve all been talking about budget cuts. While the impact of budget cuts is still developing statewide, we want to offer you some advice on how to help your community in its time of need.
One of our Case Managers, Abdinasir Mohamed, had a fantastic idea on how the public can assist: aside from volunteer work and donating, it's important to stay up-to-date on local government and voting!
Local elections are imminent, and knowing how to vote in accordance with your values and care for the community is more important now than ever. Here’s a brief guide on how to vote with values in mind during summer elections:
Important dates:
Friday, July 18th: Ballots are mailed out by county election offices no later than 18 days prior to election day. Ballots for eligible military and overseas voters are mailed 45 days prior. Update your voter registration information here!
Monday, July 28th: Deadline to register or update your address online. You may also register and vote in person at a county voting center through election day. Register here!
Tuesday, August 5th: 2025 Primary Election Day for King and Pierce Counties.
Who’s on the ballot?
You can find the Washington State, King County, and Seattle City candidates here: candidates in King County.
You can find the Washington State and Pierce County candidates here: candidates in Pierce County.
NOTE: The County Executive and County Council District races are all non partisan…why? Well, under the Washington State Constitution (Art. 4, Sec. 29) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 29A.36.171), many local and county races—including County Executive and County Council—are required to be nonpartisan.
Here’s why Party Affiliation Still Matters—while these are nonpartisan races, many candidates openly align with parties, which shapes their policy views and endorsements. Knowing affiliations can help inform your understanding of a candidate's priorities, like affordable housing, transit, or public safety. And party affiliation does still prove to matter in these races, as you can see in this Seattle Times article.
NOTE: As the voter, it’s important to understand both why you should vote yes and why you should vote no. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to form an educated opinion:
What problem is this measure trying to solve, and do I believe the proposed solution is the most effective or fair way to address it?
How will this measure impact me, the surrounding communities and cultures, and future generations—financially, socially, or environmentally?
Do I trust the organization or government body behind this measure to carry it out responsibly and transparently if it passes?
Do some research yourself. Here are some resources:
Your local county elections office website (e.g., King County, Pierce County).
Ballotpedia
What’s on the ballot? Here are the local ballot measures to watch:
Click the arrows below to expand.
King County Proposition, No. 1 - Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy
What’s This Parks Levy About? King County is asking to renew and replace an expiring levy that finds parks, trails, and open spaces all across the county.
If approves, this levy could help pay for: parks, trails and open space improvements; maintenance and upgrades to parks and recreational facilities; aquatic centers, ballfields, and youth sports programs; Woodland Park Zoo; Seattle Aquarium; Pacific Science Center; Seattle Waterfront Park; climate resilience projects and open space preservation; Memorial Stadium improvements possibly more.
Cost—over the course of six years (2026-2031), the levy would start at about 23 centers per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2026. So, for example, a home valued at $844,000, that’s around $16.38 per month in the first year. The cost would increase annually, based on inflation plus population growth, or a state-set limit (whichever is higher). Notably, the levy includes tax exemptions for qualifying seniors, veterans, and others with limited income.
City of Seattle, Proposition No. 1 - Property Tax for Democracy Voucher Program
What is This Democracy Voucher Levy? Seattle voters are being asked to renew and replace the expiring levy that funs the Democracy Voucher Program—a public campaign financing system that lets residents directly support local candidates. If approved, the levy would: raise $45 million over a decade to fund the program, provide each Seattle voter with four $25 Democracy Vouchers in city election years, support candidates for mayor, city council, or city attorney who agree to spending limits and donation caps. Specifically, the money funds vouchers for participating candidates, printing and mailing the vouchers, and admin staff, outreach, and processing.
Cost—the levy would start in 2026 and raise up to $4.5 million in that first year, costing about 1.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value. For example, for a $600,000 home, that’s about $9 per year. The levy would be in effect for 10 years, through 2035. Notably, it include tax exemptions for seniors and disabled residents. After it expires, regular property tax limits resume as if this levy had never passed.
Shoreline School District No. 412, Proposition No. 1 - One-Year Supplemental Levy for Educational Programs and Operations
What’s This School Levy About? This is a one-year supplemental levy that Shoreline Public Schools is asking voters in Shoreline and Lake Forest PArk to approve. The Washington State Legislature recently raised the amount schools are allowed to collect to local levies (see House Bill 2049). This measure allows the district to take advantage of that new authority ONLY for the 2026 school year, the final year of the current levy. It would raise up to $7.25 million in 2026 to help fill in the funding gaps that are not fully covered by the state, including: instructional and support staff, staff pay and training, student transportation, special education, sports, clubs, and other extracurriculars.
Cost—$0.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For instance, a home valued at $700,000 would pay $238 for the year. The final rate could change depending on property values at the time. Notably, some homeowners (seniors, disabled) may qualify for tax exemptions.
King County Fire Protection District No. 40, Proposition No. 1 - Reduction of Board Size from Five to Three Commissioners
What’s This Fire District Measure About? This ballot asks voters in King County Protection District No. 40 to decide whether the Board of Fire Commissioners should be reduced from five members to three. The idea is to improve efficiency, lower administrative costs, and continue to maintain strong oversight over the fire district’s operations.
Public Hospital District No. 2, Proposition No. 1 - Levy Lid Lift for Healthcare Services
What’s This Measure About? Voters are being asked to approve a property tax increase to help fund EvergreenHealth, your local public hospital system. EvergreenHealth provides a wide range of care—including emergency services, cancer treatment, OB care, mental health, pediatrics, and more. Right now, EvergreenHealth gets about 14 cents per $1,000 of your property’s value in taxes. This proposition would raise that to 50 cents, starting in 2026. That’s a 36-cent increase.
For example, if your home is assessed at $800,000, that would mean an additional $288 per year (or $24 per month). The funding, according to the hospital board, would be used to keep emergency and specialty care strong, hire more doctors and staff, upgrade buildings and expand services, and increase access to care in growing communities.tws. The hospital board argues that state rules have limited the amount of funding they can raise without a public vote, and that more funding is necessary to meet demands.
Town Of Steilacoom - Proposition No. 1
What’s This Levy All About? The Town of Steilacoom is asking voters to approve a small property tax increase starting in 2026. Right now, the Town is limited in how much it can raise property taxes each year (only about 1%), and that just isn’t keeping up with what’s needed.
This levy would permanently raise the property tax rate by 46 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value—bringing the total rate to about $1.85 per $1,000.
For example, if your home is worth $600,000, this would add about $276 per year to your tax bill—roughly $23 a month.
Fire Protection District No. 14 - Proposition No. 1
What’s This Fire Levy About? Riverside Fire & Rescue is asking voters to renew a levy that helps fund fire protection and emergency medical services in our area.
This is not a new tax—it would replace the current levy that's expiring and keep essential fire and emergency services running smoothly.
The money could be used for: firefighters and emergency staff, fire and rescue equipment, maintenance of stations and vehicles, and faster response times. The district breaks down the cost over four years on the website. To summarize the breakdown, the estimated tax rate would be about 72 cents for every $1,000 of property value. So, for a home worth $400,000, that’s around $288 per year—or about $24 a month.
Fire Protection District No. 16 - Proposition No. 1
What is This EMS Levy About? Piece County Fire District No. 16 is asking voters to restore its emergency medical servies (EMS) property tax levy to the previous voter-approved rate of $0.50 per $1,000 of property value. This could help the district fund: paramedic and ambulance services, emergency medical equipment and supplies, and faster response times.
How to vote:
Vote-by-Mail Instructions
Ballots are mailed to all registered voters—no postage required.
Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by election day. But, King County recommends that you drop your ballot off the Friday before election day to ensure that it is postmarked in time to be counted.
Ballot Drop Box Locations
King County: Check here 30 days prior to the election.
Pierce County: Available to look at now!
In-Person Voting Assistance
Vote centers have:
Registration help and locations - King County; Pierce County
Language assistance - King County; Pierce County
Accessible voting devices
Voter Resources
Register to vote or check your status: VoteWA.gov
Read your Voters’ Guide: King County; Pierce County
Candidate forums and town halls: King County; Pierce County
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