This weekend, Shannon took a moment to talk to our president, Joseph Irons of Irons Brothers Construction, at the Membership Appreciation Picnic at Remlinger Farms.

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By Margo Greenman, 425 Business

With inventory down 25 percent, home values and rents both increasing, and more people moving to the region, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties said the local housing market is struggling with a housing affordability crisis.

"Despite efforts to add more housing, including a rise in apartment home construction in the region, the demand for housing has significantly outpaced supply," Master Builders Association executive director Shannon Affholter said in a press release. "Lack of buildable land and other barriers to new home construction have contributed significantly to escalating housing costs and a housing supply shortage in King and Snohomish counties. Unfortunately, this is making it harder for families and workers to find attainable housing near job centers."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Nancy Grygorowicz-Davis
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.460.8216

Master Builders Association Names Lowe Director of Government Affairs

BELLEVUE, Wash.—June 26, 2018—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties announced that it has named Marco M. Lowe as director of Government Affairs.

Prior to joining MBAKS, Lowe served as vice president of Seattle’s renewable district energy system, Enwave Seattle, where he led the system’s growth, government relations and other operational duties. Earlier, he served as department director in Seattle’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations.

Before his role at Enwave, Lowe worked as chief of staff at New York City’s Department of Small Business Services, as director of community relations for Mayor Greg Nickels and as a member of Gary Locke’s gubernatorial staff.

“I am very excited to be joining the team at MBAKS and am ready to help carry on the critical mission of housing the Puget Sound region,” Lowe says on his new role. “The advocacy work at the association is an integral part of this mission, and I am lucky to be working with such a strong group on the Government Affairs team.”

MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims says, “In our continued efforts to advocate for the builders and residents of our great region, Marco’s experience with city government will be an asset to our association members as well as the cities and homeowners for which they build market-rate, middle-income and affordable housing options.”

Lowe received a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Washington before earning his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Lowe begins his tenure at MBAKS June 27.

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) has grown to become the largest residential home builders association in the United States. With 2,900 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region.

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