Grant Application

2025 Smart Growth Grant - Level 2

Staff Contact: Hugh Morris: hmorris@nar.realtor (202-383-1278)
Version: 2025_1

Smart Growth Grants support state and local REALTOR® Associations' efforts to advance programs, policies and initiatives aligned with one or more of the 10 Smart Growth Principles. Level 2 Smart Growth grants support activities have a broad community reach. Associations are encouraged to collaborate with public and private stakeholders that are working to advocate, educate and engage in smart growth issues. Activities supported may include a forum, a visioning session, charette, ordinance drafting, statutory review, or growth study/analysis.

State and local REALTOR® associations shall only use resources provided by the NAR REALTOR® Party Program within their association’s territorial jurisdictions as set by NAR.

Does the proposed activity adhere to the stated requirement?

Yes

First Name *

Last Name *

Contact Email *

Contact Phone *

Association AE Contact Information (if different from above):

Click here if information is the same as previous contact information

Association Executive First Name (if different from above):

Association Executive Last Name (if different from above):

Association Executive Contact Email (if different from above):

1. Amount Requested (Max $7,500) *

$ .00

2. Projected Completion Date *

4. Describe the proposed initiative including specific details on how it will be executed and how the initiative will align with one or more of the 10 Smart Growth Principles.

Over the last 6 months, SKCR has worked with our state association on a website, www.realtorsplushousing.com, which will help members, decision makers, stakeholders, consumers, and associations track the adoption of sweeping middle housing legislation. Phase one was to create the website and populate the basic information on who needs to comply and at what tier according to the state legislation and by population. We will be rolling out phase 1 mid-January and then begin on phase 2 in late January. Phase 2 is to track the adoption of these ordinances as cities need to be compliant by 6/30/25.

SKCR has partnered with Washington REALTORS and planning firm, Kimley Horn to assemble data, track ordinances, and create/host this website. The site is only useful if it incorporates all four Puget Sound regional counties as these four counties are the first to comply and REALTOR members often represent clients across the Puget Sound region.

Two of the bills the State Legislature passed in 2023 order cities to adopt certain middle housing regulations. Requirements are by tiers defined by population. Cities within the four counties in the Puget Sound region: King, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Pierce are the first to need to comply in the state. In King County alone there are 39 cities, 32 of which have populations large enough to require them to take some sort of action on land use by June 30th, 2025. The zoning changes associated with the adoption of regulations will pave the way for greater density/compact building design, diverse housing options, walkable communities, and strengthen development in communities, and make development predictable and fair. This tool will facilitate our associations ability to track what cities are doing and show other cities what their neighbors have done/are doing to comply. SKCR, TPCAR, SCCAR and Kitsap REALTORS will need to go county by county to ensure cities comply with the mandates the state has leveled without stifling growth, development and density with things like onerous tree retention, design review, and parking requirements.

5. Why is the association interested in conducting this initiative? *

6. How will this initiative advance the association's community development goals? *

Washington State remains dead last in the nation for housing development, we are a quarter million units behind. Housing inventory is a major crisis across the State but specifically within the Puget Sound region where most of the state\'s population resides. Housing costs are at an all time high, in the Seattle metro area, the average home price is $895,000. The average price for single-family is $1.2M. Zoning change is desperately needed in order to bring more compact development and infill to our cities. The ordinances that cities will need to pass in the coming months will allow for infill but cities will need to be encouraged to ignore the NIMBYs and pass policy that encourages inventory types that consumers want. This initiative will help REALTORS identify where their advocacy is needed in real time.

This website will help REALTORS and Association staff to track changes, talk to decision makers about what other are doing in the county, and insure compliance with State law and their comprehensive plans.

7. How will association staff be involved in the planning and implementation of the initiative? *

8. How will REALTORS® be involved in the planning and implementation of the initiative? *

9. List any organizations that will partner with your association in the initiative. Describe their role(s) in the initiative. *

10. How will the association measure the success of the initiative? *

The following are NOT eligible uses of grant funds.

REALTOR® association staff time/hours, including contract staff
Fundraising contributions or money to hold a fundraiser
General operating expenses for the association or partner organization
Purchase of capital equipment such as cameras, speakers, lights, mics, computers, printers. Rentals are permitted
Donations to an organization or person including direct down payment or closing assistance

Cash prizes or purchase of gifts and prizes
Materials for construction/rehab of a property
Landscaping materials
Home furnishings or similar items
Subscription fees for video conferencing services or other software licenses
In-house association classroom rental fees
Activities that benefit a single/select group of property owner(s)

Note: Associations are encouraged to use the majority of grant funds for expenditures related to the development and implementation of an activity (such as speaker fees, marketing, printing, etc.) rather than venue and catering costs. The TOTAL REVENUE and the TOTAL EXPENSES must net to ZERO, no profit or loss.

Revenue

$ .00

Expenditures

$ .00

11. Additional Budget Information: If applicable, use the space below to: provide explanations for "other" revenue or expenses noted above; provide an estimated number of attendees for activities with an admission fee; provide a breakdown of consulting fees; or provide details about in-kind contributions the association will make toward the activity.

12. For local associations: The state association must be notified of this funding request. Provide the name and title of the person at the state association most familiar with the request.

First Name Association Contact *

Last Name Association Contact *

Association Staff Email *

13. In reference to THIS activity, has your association applied for funding from other NAR grant programs including Housing Opportunity, Fair Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, Consumer Advocacy Outreach or Issues Mobilization? *

Yes

14. If this funding request is approved, do you give NAR permission to share your application, and any outcomes? *

Yes

Grant Application

2025 Smart Growth Grant - Level 2

Association AE Contact Information (if different from above):

Activity Details

Budget Details