How we work and what we believe is as important as what we do.

Equity

Homelessness impacts people across different identities and expressions, including race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, and language. Building Changes recognizes that racial disparities cut across all other forms of inequity. Black, Latinx, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations are more likely than other racial or ethnic groups to experience homelessness. These disparities require us to be explicit and intentional in our work to address inequitable access to housing and services. Holding ourselves accountable for understanding structural inequities, we commit to leveraging our strengths to achieve equitable outcomes and improve experiences within the systems that serve people.

People

Building Changes recognizes the strength and resiliency of people as we advance practices and policies that serve those experiencing homelessness. We understand that it is our responsibility to build and maintain trust of individuals and communities by bringing research and knowledge back to the people we seek to serve. To improve the way systems serve people, we commit to centering people and their experiences in all aspects of our work, including grantmaking and capacity building, research and evaluation, and policy and advocacy.

Partnerships

We recognize that partnerships are relationships that must be cultivated. Building Changes partners widely, including with people with lived experience, service providers, advocacy groups, government, and philanthropy, to share learnings and work towards shared goals. We strive to be a trusted partner that listens to and builds authentic relationships with those we work with. We commit to incorporating and elevating the expertise of our partners, particularly those with diverse backgrounds, to identify and advance practices that improve systems at large and outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Integrity

Integrity requires us to stay accountable to ourselves and to the people and partners impacted by our work by being transparent about our own priorities, strengths, and limitations. Building Changes recognizes, celebrate, and advocate for the efforts of others working to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Using data and experiences gathered from both our successes and mistakes, we share learnings to advance our collective work addressing homelessness in Washington. To build trust and confidence in our processes, relationships, and impact, we commit to acting with integrity and in alignment with our values.