This is a press released issued today. 

Growing group’s director will advance dialogue and policy around housing choices, urban density, sustainable development, economic opportunity and architectural diversity

Seattle, WA – Jan. 27, 2014 – Smart Growth Seattle today announced that Roger Valdez will be the full time director of the organization. Valdez helped found Smart Growth Seattle a year ago with Blueprint Capital. He is a long-time advocate of smart and sustainable growth with experience in government relations, research and housing development.

Blueprint Capital was an original founder of Smart Growth Seattle, calling attention to how small lot in-fill development can be part of our city’s housing solution.

“We are thrilled to have Roger as our full-time director and we’re glad to see others join in on this timely issue,” said Mark Knoll, CEO of Blueprint Capital, the founding member of Smart Growth Seattle. “Our expanding membership and core mission will be well-served with Roger’s background and leadership.”

Over the last year Smart Growth Seattle has expanded its work from supporting small-lot infill development to microhousing and supporting increased housing supply.

Smart Growth Seattle was founded with five guiding principles: 1) Housing Choice, 2) Urban Density, 3) Sustainable Development, 4) Economic Opportunity, 5) and Architectural Diversity.

“The greatest risk to our growing prosperity is a lack of housing choices for people in Seattle and those who are moving into our city,” said Valdez. “Today, private developers and builders are working to meet the demand for housing, and Smart Growth Seattle gives us the opportunity to work for effective policies that will help to add more housing in innovative ways. More housing choice benefits those who live here as well those moving to our city for work.”Smart Growth Seattle will be governed by a five-member board made up of founding partners, including Valdez.

This mission of advocating for more housing choices has garnered broad industry support from builders, lenders, and commercial and housing developers, including the 2,850-member Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA).

“The Master Builders Association is very excited to be part of Smart Growth Seattle and strongly supports the goal of providing more housing choices for Seattle residents and those who are moving here,” said MBA’s 2014 President Martha Rose of Seattle. “By partnering with groups representing all types of development in the city, we hope to focus more attention around finding constructive ways to promote urban density, sustainable development, economic opportunity, architectural diversity and housing choice.”

Other members in addition to Blueprint Capital and the MBA are Footprint Investments, Touchstone Development and Vulcan Inc.