How Five Credit Unions Joined Forces to Tackle Affordable Housing

The Remarkable Credit Union Podcast

Credit unions have always been better cooperators than competitors. The joint investments of five Washington-based credit unions to the Evergreen Impact Housing Fund (EIHF) is a shining example of the "cooperation among cooperatives" principle in action. The greater Seattle area is one of the country’s most expensive metro regions, and escalating housing costs make it hard for working-class consumers to live in the area. EIHF creates what it calls “catalytic investment opportunities” that make affordable apartment complexes more attractive to developers.

Jen Reed, VP of Public Relations at Sound Credit Union (a PixelSpoke client), joins us to talk about Sound's collaboration with BECU, Washington State Employees Credit Union, Salal Credit Union, and Verity Credit Union to tackle this thorny social issue and magnify impact. We also discuss how this effort has benefited Sound's public image, what lessons Sound has learned from the process, and what future projects are on the horizon.