There are plenty of headwinds affecting affordable housing construction and maintenance right now. Building costs are going up, and federal funding is uncertain. Affordable housing providers in Seattle and beyond have struggled as COVID-era rent subsidies disappeared.

Colleen Echohawk has been thinking about these issues a lot. She is the new CEO of Community Roots Housing, a Public Development Authority that manages over 2,300 affordable housing units in Seattle. They’re set to open more units in 2026, so we spoke to her about her plans for the organization.

Echohawk is also a member of the transition team for Mayor Katie Wilson, co-chairing the a group working on affordable housing and community needs. 

Guest


Colleen Echohawk, CEO, Community Roots Housing

Related Links


Seattle’s affordable housing industry is in crisis. The city faces tough choices - The Seattle Times (June 2025)

Seattle doubles bailout for ailing affordable housing sector - The Seattle Times (December 4th, 2025)

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network

There are plenty of headwinds affecting affordable housing construction and maintenance right now. Building costs are going up, and federal funding is uncertain. Affordable housing providers in Seattle and beyond have struggled as COVID-era rent subsidies disappeared.
Colleen Echohawk has been thinking about these issues a lot. She is the new CEO of Community Roots Housing, a Public Development Authority that manages over 2,300 affordable housing units in Seattle. They&rsquo;re set to open more units in 2026, so we spoke to her about her plans for the organization.
Echohawk is also a member of&nbsp;the transition team for Mayor Katie Wilson, co-chairing the a group working on affordable housing and community needs.&nbsp;
Guest <a href="https://communityrootshousing.org/2025/09/announcing-ceo-colleen-echohawk/"></a>
<a href="https://communityrootshousing.org/2025/09/announcing-ceo-colleen-echohawk/">Colleen Echohawk, CEO, Community Roots Housing</a>
Related Links 
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattles-affordable-housing-industry-is-in-crisis-city-faces-tough-choices/">Seattle&rsquo;s affordable housing industry is in crisis. The city faces tough choices</a> - The Seattle Times (June 2025)
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/seattle-doubles-bailout-for-ailing-affordable-housing-sector/">Seattle doubles bailout for ailing affordable housing sector</a> - The Seattle Times (December 4th, 2025) Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network

Soundside

Colleen Echohawk is the CEO of Community Roots Housing, managing over 2,300 affordable housing units in Seattle.

Advertisement