Building Changes

WEBINAR 5/7: Building Changes is launching a new webinar series, Beyond the Numbers, to share how community-driven insights, data, and partnerships can drive real systems change.

Join us on Thursday, May 7 for "Beyond the Numbers: Turning Learnings into Lasting Protections for Students"

In this webinar, we will share how Building Changes used learnings, data, and reports from our education work to help shape legislation that strengthens protections for students experiencing homelessness. Through legislative partnership and support, this effort moved from research and community-informed advocacy to systems change in Washington State with the passage of SHB 2594, a new state law that strengthens protections for students experiencing homelessness across Washington.

The session will feature a conversation with the lawmakers who championed this legislation and helped move it into law. We hope attendees will hear how this work moved from learnings to advocacy to lasting change, and what it takes to turn evidence and partnership into action.

REGISTER:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Beyond the Numbers: Turning Learnings into Lasting Protections for Students. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. In this webinar, we will share how Building Changes used learnings, data, and reports from our education work to help shape legislation that strengthens protections for students experiencing homelessness. Through legislative partnership and support, this effort moved from research and community-info...

Join the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance for a free virtual Actionshop: “Expanding Access to Homeownership in Washington: History, Solutions, and Resources” on Thursday, April 30 from 12:00–1:30 PM PT (with an optional Q&A session to follow).

This session will explore the historical roots of housing inequities and highlight community-driven solutions like land trusts and the Covenant Homeownership Program—along with practical resources to support current and future homeowners.

This is an opportunity to deepen understanding, connect with leaders across the state, and be part of advancing more equitable housing systems.

Learn more and register here:

Register for “Expanding Access to Homeownership in Washington: History, Solutions, and Resources”

For young people in crisis, there should be no wrong door to help.

At its heart, the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project (YDIP) is built on this simple but powerful idea.

YDIP helps young people by meeting them where they are, connecting them to trusted providers, and offering quick, flexible financial support that can cover urgent needs.

Read the latest findings and stories of hope in our new YDIP Program Evaluation Report: https://buildingchanges.org/resources/youth-diversion-infrastructure-project-ydip-program-evaluation-report/

"When crisis hits, mobilizing our community of advocates fuels tangible change. Last summer, as federal funding for McKinney-Vento (MKV) came under threat—an already underfunded federal mandate that protects the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness—Building Changes convened partners across Washington State to understand the risks and chart a path forward.

"Thanks to the people power of our coalition, more than 400 advocates signed in support of the bill during legislative session. After powerful testimony from school staff, nonprofit leaders, and Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos and bill sponsor Representative Kristine Reeves, the bill moved forward with overwhelming support."

Read about how we drove action to secure a major step forward for students experiencing homelessness in our new blog post by Building Changes Strategic Advisor of Housing and Education Kayla Blau:

Advocacy Matters: Coalition-Building In Action - Building Changes In a major step forward for students and families across Washington, SHB 2594 has officially...

What if we responded to youth homelessness before it starts?

A new blog post from our Senior Policy and Research Strategist Devin Noel-Endres highlights the impact of the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project (YDIP). Devin outlines the importance of YDIP and shares key findings from our latest report.

By combining flexible funding with community-based support, YDIP shows what’s possible when we invest in young people and their futures.

Read the blog post here:

A Pathway to Stability: The Impact of the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project (YDIP) - Building Changes What happens when young people create their own housing solutions in a crisis? How can...

Young people navigating immigration systems deserve support, stability, and access to trusted resources.

Join us for a free virtual training, “Supporting Unaccompanied Migrant Youth,” on Tuesday, April 21 from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. PT, in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). This session will provide an overview of services available for unaccompanied migrant youth in Washington and offer practical guidance for advocates looking to support young people.

Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Supporting Unaccompanied Youth Training with KIND. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Come join us for a free, virtual training in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to learn about services available for unaccompanied migrant youth in Washington and what advocates can do to support them, especially given the uptick of ICE activity in our communities.

Our Director of Policy & External Affairs Aaron Yared spoke with The Seattle Times about what the passage of SHB 2594 means for students across Washington—a major step forward in protecting educational stability for students experiencing homelessness. This new legislation codifies McKinney-Vento protections into state law, helping ensure students can stay enrolled, access transportation, and connect with a dedicated school liaison for support.

“For a lot of these students, they’re experiencing crisis, they don’t know who to turn to. So having a trusted adult who’s willing to listen to them and actually give them the respect they deserve—that’s huge.”

Building Changes was proud to help lead this effort, along with partners and advocates across the state.

Read the full story:

WA adds homeless student rights to state law amid federal uncertainty As Trump aims to remake national education policy, Washington lawmakers moved to codify a key program to ensure homeless students have access to education.

A major step forward for students in Washington 🎉🏫

SHB 2594 has officially been signed into law! This legislation codifies McKinney-Vento protections in Washington, helping ensure students experiencing homelessness can stay in their school, maintain stability, and access the support they need to succeed.

This work began last summer, when Building Changes brought partners together to respond to growing threats to federal McKinney-Vento funding and chart a path forward here in Washington. With leadership from Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos and bill sponsor Rep. Kristine Reeves along with strong collaboration across advocates and policymakers, this effort gained momentum and delivered real results.

Building Changes was proud to help lead this effort alongside partners and advocates across the state. This moment reflects the power of coalition-building and community voice with hundreds of advocates speaking up, sharing their experiences, and pushing for a system that better supports children, youth, and families. Thank you to everyone who joined us in standing up for students and helping make this progress possible.

Join us for a free virtual training on Supporting Unaccompanied Migrant Youth.

📅 Tuesday, April 21
⏰ 11:30 AM–1:00 PM PT

In partnership with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), this session will cover services available for unaccompanied migrant youth in Washington and how advocates can support young people, especially amid increased ICE activity impacting our communities.

Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Supporting Unaccompanied Youth Training with KIND. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Come join us for a free, virtual training in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to learn about services available for unaccompanied migrant youth in Washington and what advocates can do to support them, especially given the uptick of ICE activity in our communities.

⏰ Time is running out! The Senate must schedule SHB 2594 for a vote by 5PM today. Please take action NOW. Contact your state senator and urge them to schedule SHB 2594 for a vote. Our students cannot wait.

Contact your Senator: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

More than 40,000 students in Washington are experiencing homelessness. They deserve stability, support, and the opportunity to succeed in school.

SHB 2594 is a simple, bipartisan step that would help make that possible. The bill passed the House 94–1 and would codify the federal McKinney-Vento Act into Washington law, helping ensure students experiencing homelessness can stay in their school, maintain relationships, and rely on trusted support during times of instability.

This bill reflects our shared values of stability, opportunity, and care for young people. It also improves transparency and coordination so our state can better understand and respond to student homelessness.

Washington State Legislature District Finder Enter your full address to find your legislative or congressional district. Address* e.g. 1234 Any St, Olympia, WA 98501 Apt/Ste/Unit Map District Type: Legislative Congressional

Renters in Washington deserve clear information and strong protections. Building Changes is partnering with Solid Ground's Tenant Services Department for a series of free renter’s rights trainings to help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities under state law.

📚 Rent Smart: Learning the Basics
🗓 Tuesday, March 31
⏰ 10:00–11:30am PT

Join us for an overview of Washington’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, including:
• Landlord duties and tenant responsibilities
• How to request repairs
• What to do if you need to legally break your lease

Whether you’re navigating an issue or just want to be informed, this training is for you!

Register here:

Get Trained to Support Students - Building Changes Access our in-depth trainings for homeless student liaisons, school staff, and community organizations to support students experiencing homelessness.

Want to better understand how Washington funds education and how to advocate for a more equitable system? Join us for Understanding the State Budget with the Washington Budget & Policy Center and Mary Fertakis.

🗓 Wednesday, February 25
⏰ 10:00am–12:00pm PT

Mary Fertakis brings decades of experience advancing equity in Washington’s education system, including 20+ years on the Tukwila School Board. She’ll break down how the state education budget works and share practical ways we can take action together for a fairer funding formula.

If you care about educational equity and want to better navigate the budget process, this training is for you! Register here: https://ow.ly/iEo650Yj0Lf