Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity will officially open its largest retail and home improvement store in the county this Friday in Spanaway. Boasting 19,000 square feet of shopping space with discount furniture, building materials, tools, windows, light fixtures, housewares, paint, new mattresses and more, the store inhabits the former Rite Aid at 15801 Pacific Ave. S. “It’s kind of like if Goodwill and Home Depot had a baby,” described director of operations Ed Dopp on Wednesday. Habitat for Humanity has three other stores in Pierce County, one in Tacoma, Lakewood and Puyallup. Donations are accepted at all sites and proceeds go toward the nonprofit’s programs to build affordable housing, Dopp said. About 60% of the sales floor is furniture, he said. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, with donations accepted by 5:30 p.m. Depending on the condition, most items are sold at half their retail price, Dopp said.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has wanted to open a retail store in Spanaway for some time, and the location was chosen in part because of the concentration of residential homes in the area and proximity to a retail corridor, he said. Habitat also is in the process of purchasing 80 single-family homes from the Pierce County Housing Authority, a majority of which are in this neighborhood, Dopp said. The five-year plan is to renovate those properties, sell them to homeowners and have those houses stay in the affordable housing inventory of Pierce County for perpetuity, he said. “This [store opening] helps us be able to have a presence there, besides coming in with the homes, being part of the community,” Dopp said.
Habitat for Humanity’s most famous task is, in many cases, building homes from the ground up. But the group does a lot more than just that. Habitat for Humanity has worked to keep people in their homes for years. It’s called ‘aging in place,’ and it helps veterans and/or people 60 and older stay in their homes.
At a home in Spanaway, our KIRO 7 crew encountered a build that was not quite the usual Habitat for Humanity build that people are used to.
James Patterson, the homeowner in Spanaway, had to admit that the rebuild of certain parts of his home was a marked improvement.
“It’s excellent. It’s better than it was before,” Patterson said.
The work by Habitat for Humanity in Pierce County is work on a house, but it’s just not building a home from scratch. It is in keeping with Habitat’s mission to ensure people stay housed, not building from the ground up, but improving. In this case of Patterson’s home, from the top down, starting with his roof and working on other aspects of his home that had fallen into disrepair or were creating risks.
It’s something he welcomed.
“It’s great that this program, that there are projects like this to help people out,” Patterson said.
Peter Liljengren and his crew from Habitat for Humanity got to work, making Patterson’s home more livable. It’s his mission for the housing group renowned for home building, but in this case home rebuilding.
”If they can stay in their home and if that’s a good decision for them to stay in their home, then we make the repairs that will enable them to do that,” Patterson said.
The program is called ‘Aging in Place,’ a somewhat new mission for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. The group has partnered with Pierce County Human Services as a contractor and has provided home modifications for Medicaid clients since late 2019. To date, 82 households have been served through this partnership.
Monique Lawson says her Tacoma home got a ramp for her wheelchair-bound brother.
“Would you have been able to do that on your own? Oh no, I would not have, Habitat, they have been the greatest, just the best,” Lawson said.
She said the ramp transformed their lives, and the work took a few hours.
“They (HFH) had one guy, a couple of guys. We didn’t even know that they were HFH when they came out and finding that out after the fact i was, like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s really awesome,’” Lawson said.
Peter Liljengren admits he hasn’t worked a full traditional ground-up HFH build in years, and says the work improving or rebuilding homes is rewarding in a different way.
”I get to know the people that I’m working for. They’re in the house… they asked if I was interested in working on those projects. I started with them and slowly it built up so that now that’s all I do,” Liljengren said.
He says some jobs take hours, others days, maybe weeks.
The goals for HFH are the same: keep people in homes no matter the hardship and a place to age in peace. For Patterson, the work will do just that.
“My house needed a couple of repairs which they came in and did really appreciate that,” Patterson said.
For Monique Lawson, the program will guarantee a better standard of care for her brother, since she admits she never would have been able to pay out of pocket for her wheelchair ramp.
“It’s just a great asset to have them,” Lawson said.
As for Peter Liljengren, he anticipates doing the remodeling and renovation work for years to come. In fact, he suspects that HFH in Pierce County may need to bring on more full time people to deal with the Aging in Place builds. He could soon be overseeing more employees as well as all the volunteers that work in the program.
“Certainly, the need is out there,” Liljengren said.
Ordinary? Not quite. This Habitat for Humanity home is a zero-carbon masterpiece.
Brought to you by NRMCA
You’d never guess this new two-story, three-bedroom home just outside Gig Harbor, Wash., is a milestone in sustainable residential construction.
The 1,500-square-foot home is Habitat for Humanity’s first zero-carbon home. “The home is built with concrete that uses a sand replacement made of a biosolids waste product called biochar,” explains project architect Cameron Walker of Tacoma, Wash.-based Ferguson Architecture.
“This form of biochar sequesters carbon without diminishing concrete durability and energy performance,” Walker says. “It transforms a waste product nobody wants into an effective building material that locks up carbon for thousands of years. It’s a practical, emerging environmental solution.”
This sustainability breakthrough is the central component of a building system called insulated concrete forms (ICFs). ICF is an affordable construction method that uses Lego-like foam blocks to form a cast-in-place, steel-reinforced concrete wall system.
“It was our first ICF project,” reports Habitat for Humanity’s Jonah Kinchy, the local affiliate’s director of site development and construction. “Even though it was new to us, the documentation and instructions made every construction phase surprisingly easy.” Carbon neutrality and constructability weren’t the only things that surprised Kinchy and Walker. Here are a few highlights:
• Design Flexibility. Walker credits superb documentation from project partners and overall system simplicity for his smooth transition to ICF. “Even though it was unfamiliar initially, I felt really confident about moving forward,” he says. “The system worked really well with our original design intent.”
• Energy Conservation. Kinchy says the inherent air sealing properties of ICF along with building mass allowed them to moderately downsize the HVAC system. “We barely did any air sealing other than the attic space. My guess is the HVAC unit won’t run much. The structure will hold a steady, comfortable temperature all year round.”
• Code Compliance. In recent weeks, the state’s new mechanical, envelope, and lighting requirements went into effect for all new construction. Walker says the changes the code mandates, such as continuous insulation, have become a “… super-hot topic right now. There are a lot of conversations about the best ways to meet the new water barrier, insulation and durability requirements. ICF solves it all. It automatically complies with code. There’s no risk in trying to cobble together an envelope that complies.”
• Acoustics. The Gig Harbor property is next to a busy highway, meaning outdoor conversation requires an elevated voice. Walker took some design steps to mitigate the din, like orienting the front of the home away from the noise and minimizing window exposure on the highway side. ICF turned out to be the real star: “It’s mind-blowing when you open and close the back door,” the architect says. “When you’re inside with the door closed, you don’t hear a thing. You wouldn’t know you’re living next to a highway.”
• Affordability. The project has caught the attention of local architects, builders, contractors, and affordable housing advocates. “This home meets the exact spec of a Habitat homeowner,” Kinchy says. “This is safe, clean, and affordable housing, just right for the teachers, firefighters, and working-class folks we serve.”
Learn more about how zero-carbon ICF construction can transform the sustainability of your next project.
This project is part of a wider initiative between the Build with Strength coalition and Habitat for Humanity International to construct at least 50 sustainable concrete homes in 50 states in 5 years. The partnership currently has 76 homes in various stages of construction in 33 states in under 2.5 years.
Gig Harbor project partners include: Heidelberg Materials, Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association, Airfoam Industries, Brundage Bone Concrete Pumping, Quad-Lock, SolidCarbon, Clark Construction, Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association, and American Concrete Pumpers Association.
A vacant property in Tacoma’s North End could soon serve as home base for families in need.
The Tacoma City Council recently approved a resolution authorizing the no-cost transfer of roughly 13,000 square feet of property at 1801 N. Orchard St. The surplus land would change hands from Tacoma Power to the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
Sherrana Kildun, chief philanthropy officer of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, thinks the city and the utilities department have been thoughtful in prioritizing affordable housing.
“We do have an affordable-housing crisis,” Kildun told The News Tribune on Monday morning at the site. “And so if there are excess properties like this former substation that we can build affordable units in, I think that’s exactly what our community needs.”
Four small cottages could soon crop up on the lot, along with a community-garden space, Kildun said. Each home can house families with up to three people and have its own parking space. Sitting at around 900 square feet, the buildings will be 1.5 stories with an upstairs bedroom and accessible ground-floor bedroom.
“So not huge houses, but [they’re] a great opportunity to step into homeownership,” she said.
The North Orchard Street property was first offered to the Puyallup Tribe, but the local Habitat for Humanity was the only interested party, according to a city resolution on the transfer.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, Greg Muller with Real Property Services told the Tacoma City Council during the April 9 meeting. The city’s Community and Economic Development Department is overseeing the development agreement.
Deputy Mayor John Hines said during the April 9 council meeting that he’s looking forward to the project. He wants to see Tacoma have more opportunities for home ownership and for residents to be able to access the increasingly elusive “American Dream.”
“While I do understand some of the concerns around the trees that were on the site and the impacts of the new development, I would just say as a neighbor — I live right down the street — I’m really excited for this project to happen and to bring more people to our community and really support a lot of families here in the city of Tacoma,” said Hines, who represents District 1.
Habitat for Humanity will be mindful of the surrounding flora, removing unhealthy trees while planting new ones where possible, Kildun told The News Tribune. The homes will be sold to households earning below 80% of the area’s median income and one household earning under 50% AMI.
Purchasing a home in Tacoma today costs about $550,000 on average, Kildun said. Many families who work and live here can’t afford the structures in the current housing stock.
To qualify for the North Orchard space, applicants must have lived or worked in Pierce County for at least a year and have a minimum credit score of 620, she added.
“If they don’t have that yet, we’ll work with them until people are ready,” Kildun said. “Home ownership is a journey that doesn’t always happen overnight. We’re there to be partners and work with people to achieve that dream.”
From January 2019 to December 2023, some 1,163 housing units “at varying affordability rates” were built in Tacoma, city spokesperson Maria Lee said in an email. More than 1,200 others were expected to be added as of the end of last year.
Tacoma Public Utilities spokesperson Jessica Wilson noted that Habitat for Humanity won’t pay anything for the space in Tacoma’s North End — except for closing costs, such as escrow and title. The title transfer is expected to happen within the next month and a half.
After Habitat officially becomes the plot’s owner, development work will begin on the property, which the city gained in 1953 and “used as a substation site,” Wilson said via email.
TPU executive director Jackie Flowers is happy to see the property get “put to productive use.” Housing affordability has turned into a big challenge in the community.
While TPU doesn’t offer housing, it has sought to understand how utility costs can affect vulnerable households, Flowers said. The way she sees it, putting this land into Habitat’s hands works to address a major area of concern.
“Once we determine [a property is] surplus and are able to transfer it to a community in need, we see that as a benefit to the community and to our customers,” she said, “both in terms of eliminating properties that we no longer need that we’re paying to maintain … but also in this case giving back to the community in a way that is so important.”
There usually would be a waiting list of potential buyers for the $290,000 homes Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity just built near Gig Harbor.
But of the three new homes west of the Narrows, the nonprofit only has a family for one. It’s actively looking for two more families interested in the 1,400-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath homes on 58th Avenue near St. Anthony Hospital.
The organization estimates the monthly payments would be about $1,600.
The income threshold is 50 percent of the area median income or below, but Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity CEO Maureen Fife said the organization raised it a couple months ago to allow more families to qualify and help find buyers for the remaining homes.
Now, first-time home buyers are eligible if their household income isn’t more than 80 percent of the area median income. That figure depends on the size of the family. For a family of two the limit is $68,800. For a family of eight it’s $113,550.
They’ve tried hard to find someone to qualify, Fife said.
“It just seems like such a great deal,” she said.
It’s hard to find a one- or two-bedroom apartment for $1,600 a month, Fife said, let alone a three-bedroom house.
“Affordable housing is top of mind right now for everyone, I think,” Fife said. “… For home ownership in particular, it’s very, very difficult.”
The median closed sale price of an existing single-family home in Pierce County last month was $550,000, The News Tribune reported.
“The income that you have to have to support that mortgage payment is significant,” Fife said.
Asked why she thinks the organization had trouble finding buyers for the Gig Harbor-area homes, Fife said: “I think that the last year, if you’re a person that is lower or moderate income, if you have sort of watched the news at all, you hear a lot about the cost of housing, the cost of a $500,000 house. Or the interest rates that are so high and are just now starting to come down.”
She said people also worry about their credit score.
“I think, to a degree, it takes the brave individual to go to the financial session where you put it out on the table and you get to see what you can qualify for,” Fife said.
A family needs a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for the Gig Harbor-area homes. The family also must have either lived or worked in Pierce County for a year or more and must put in at least 100 hours of “sweat equity.” That work can be improvements to their new neighborhood, such as landscaping, or work at other Habitat for Humanity sites.
The homes have a yard, a daylight basement and Energy Star appliances. They were built using sustainable concrete practices, which also helps reduce noise.
Anyone who is interested in the homes can call 253-627-5626 and dial extension 108 to apply.
‘INVESTING IN PEOPLE’S LONG-TERM STABILITY’
This is the first home Habitat for Humanity has built west of the Narrows in years.
“It’s been a while since we’ve built in the harbor,” Fife said. “If you look at the cost to build in the city limits of Gig Harbor, we have never built there. We have never built in the city limits of Gig Harbor, because of the impact fees.”
Chapel Hill Church in Gig Harbor helped sponsor the project financially and with volunteer hours.
The church recently finished paying off its own building, and without the mortgage found itself in a position to help,” said Chandra Hallam, the church’s local outreach coordinator.
“I moved here about seven years ago, and it’s grown a lot, and property values have gone up a lot,” Hallam said.
Home ownership brings stability for families, she said.
“They can keep it for years and years for the next generation,” she said. “We like the idea of investing in people’s long-term stability.”
Rich Phillips, who used to be the chair of the Gig Harbor chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said he’s helped Hallam with the project.
He led the chapter from 2006 to 2011, he said. It’s since been disbanded. Now projects are done directly through Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
Phillips said he thinks, including the three new houses, Habitat has built about 17 homes in the Gig Harbor area since the late 1990s.
“We had a time where we were building two homes a year,” he said.
The lot for the new project was purchased years ago when he was chair, he said, but the location made it difficult to develop.
It’s on a slope, above state Route 16 near the Purdy exit. They had to widen the access to the property to make sure fire trucks could access it in an emergency, and that work required a retaining wall.
“The costs were just astronomical,” he said.
He’s excited to see the organization build west of the Narrows again.
“I’m more interested in helping people in the Gig Harbor area, and the stuff across the bridge wasn’t as appealing to me,” he said.
He thinks until now the last Habitat house in the Gig Harbor area was built in 2011 or 2012.
“They couldn’t afford to build homes here and build homes in the Tacoma area, so they decided to concentrate on the Tacoma area and serve more people,” he said. “I understand that.”
Asked about future Habitat projects west of the Narrows, he said it’s a big ask.
“I hope there will be more houses in the Gig Harbor area, but the problem is to get the affordable lots now, we end up having to go pretty far out on the Key Peninsula.”
That means there’s limited public transportation. With limited job opportunities deep on the Key Peninsula, costs are higher for families to commute to work.
Phillips just finished working on the new project. The last day for volunteers was April 6, he said. It was a landscaping day, which meant it was safe for families with kids to help. The youngest volunteers helped shovel dirt and plant.
“The biggest hole they could fall in was the one they dug,” he said.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland has secured funding in the federal budget for 14 South Sound community projects and among them is Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s project to rehabilitate 80 Pierce County Housing Authority homes and preserve their affordability in perpetuity.
This is an unprecedented opportunity for Habitat, which normally focuses on new home construction. The housing provider is purchasing 80 units as the Housing Authority is selling its single-family rental properties across Pierce County consisting of 120 homes and two duplex units. Tacoma Habitat has been selected as a preferred bidder and is working to acquire houses, rehabilitate them as needed, and bring access to homeownership for underrepresented, income-qualified families.
“As the South Sound continues to grow, our community is feeling the ongoing housing and affordability crunch,” Strickland said.“The Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity project further expands access to safe, accessible, and affordable housing.”
“Congresswoman Strickland’s investment is huge,” said Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Chief Philanthropy Officer Sherrana Kildun. “The fact that the federal government is leaning into this as a special project is a big deal and we are so thankful. This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done – a huge, big dream – and a $43 million project.”
The homes are primarily located in Spanaway and Parkland, with additional small clusters in Bonney Lake, Elk Plain, Graham, and on the Peninsula. So far, Tacoma Habitat has purchased about half a dozen Housing Authority homes toward the target 80. All are great entry-level homes for workforce families. Those eligible for the program must have a household income of at least $60,000 a year, with a credit score of 620.
The Tacoma Weekly visited one of the purchased houses in Spanaway with Kildun and Habitat’s Policy and Advocacy Manager Liz Crouse. This three-bedroom, one bath home will sell for about $255,000 and is expected to be ready this month for a working family ready to step into ownership by May.
The house went through key renovations including new paint inside and outside, all new flooring and trim, double-paned windows, energy efficiency upgrades for heating and cooling, and all new cabinets and countertops were installed in the kitchen along with energy efficient appliances. A new deck will be built in the backyard which is fenced making a perfect playground for a family dog. A thorough inspector tested for mold, lead, and asbestos, and the septic system was scoped and inspected.
“We don’t want to have any issues or surprises being put on a modest income buyer because this is ownership. We’re trying to do as much as we can for a renovation house so that’s it’s almost new,” Kildun said.
Another aspect of Habitat’s homebuying program is that it can get families out of the rent cycle that builds no equity for them or their children. As Kildun explained, “Our typical buyer pays about $1,600 a month through Habitat. If this house were on the market as a rental, they’d probably be paying about $2,200-$2,500 a month at least.”
Under Habitat’s program, the non-profit retains ownership of the land and only sells the housing unit. Using a restricted resale model, Tacoma Habitat ensures the permanent affordability of these homes to preserve entry-level homeownership of the units for generations to come. If, or when, a homeowner decides to sell, the home is not placed on the open market. Buyers agree to sell to another qualified income buyer. The resale formula is pre-determined. For these 80 houses, it will be about 1.5 to 2 percent per year that owners are in the home so after 10 years, they could walk away with somewhere in the neighborhood of $70,000, and in 20 years over $200,000.
“That allows us to price it at what a buyer can afford at 80 percent area median income and below,” Kildun explained. “For a family of four in Pierce County, it’s between $60,000 and $87,000 household income.”
Habitat’s strategy to preserve homes is intentional and beneficial to working families. As Kildun said, “If we can preserve existing units in our community, keeping them affordable and letting homeownership step into this neighborhood, that’s exactly what we need to be doing. Our other preservation work is with veterans, seniors and people with disabilities with what we call our Aging in Place program, critical home repairs for existing homeowners.”
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is making significant strides in addressing homeownership disparities and diversifying the housing market to bridge the historical, racial, and wealth gaps as highlighted in recent disparity reports by the State of Washington and the City of Tacoma. The reports revealed that the homeownership of Black households compared to their white counterparts is at least a 40-45 percent difference. Kildun pointed out that the homeownership rates for Black households in Pierce County are lower today than they were in the 1960s when redlining and discrimination were legal.
“That’s not okay,” she said. “We’re one of the only places that people can step into entry-level homeownership anymore. And we need to do more. We’re in a housing crisis and the cost of houses these days is over half a million dollars in Pierce County and working, entry level families can’t afford it.”
Tacoma Habitat needs new buyers. The website owninpierce.com gives everything anyone needs to know about eligibility, and Habitat will walk with you throughout the home buying journey.
There are many stories to share about this organization, like Chris, a current Habitat homeowner.
“I moved seven times in 10 years. I couldn’t afford a place that was safe and comfortable,” he said. “Working with Habitat makes you feel prideful – like you’re a part of the house. A lot of people think they can’t own a home because they don’t make enough money, and banks don’t make you feel like it’s a possibility for anyone. But Habitat has made my dreams come true.”
MORE FUNDED PROJECTS
In addition to the Tacoma Habitat funding, Strickland was successful in securing funding for 13 additional projects in the South Sound. The City of Tacoma will receive $850,000 for shelter expansion and site preparationto provide 75 units of warm, safe temporary housing to some of the city’s most vulnerable populations. Mayor Woodards called the funding “very exciting news” and credited Strickland and Congresswoman Maria Cantwell for making it happen.
“The city appreciates the support of Congresswoman Strickland and Senator Cantwell and the partnership of its federal delegation. Congresswoman Strickland supported the Community Project Funding request and Senator Cantwell supported the Congressionally Directed Spending request of the city to purchase up to 75 micro-shelter units…and to fund site preparation and expansion of a longer-term location for the micro-shelters,” Woodards told the Tacoma Weekly. “The amount of the funding is different than the city’s proposal, so the city will assess the locations for placement of the additional units once it receives direction from the federal agency administering the funds, but any new units would be placed at existing sites.”
For the Tacoma Police Department, $963,000 will boost its alternative response strategies to improve public safety by hiring Community Service Officers and Designated Crisis Responders to engage in certain limited law enforcement functions.
At the city of University Place, $500,000 will go toward the Chambers Bay Access to Opportunity Project to improve traffic flow at the intersection of 64th Street West and Chambers Creek Road while installing ADA-compliant crosswalks.
The Lakewood Water District will invest $959,752 for its PFAS Mitigation Wells Projectthat will Drill down to uncontaminated aquifers to partially replace the water supply that has been lost due to PFAS contamination. Lakewood will also receive $1 million for a Living Access Support Alliance campus project to bring 25 new affordable 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments co-located with case management and peer support to prevent homelessness.
Pierce County’s Sprinker Community Recreation Center building renovations will receive $1 million for improvements at the center. Pierce Transit will invest $2.5 million for system-wide bus shelter modernization to replace vandalized shelters with redesigned shelters that are stronger, less breakable, and reinforced against vandalism.
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s 3900 Boulevard Project’s $500,000 will go toward mixed-income housing with a neighborhood commercial and community benefit element to serve low- and moderate-income families.
In Bonney Lake, the Good Roots food bank will have $744,000 to address food insecurity by expanding the use of refrigerated smart lockers. The city of Lacey will invest $850,000 in College Street corridor safety improvement to increase pedestrian and vehicle safety on this major north-south artery. The Thurston County food bank will receive $1,666,279 to develop a community hub at Lacey’s Food Pantry consisting of building additional office spaces for local human service partners.
“I’m pleased to help deliver these projects that will uplift local communities across the South Sound. They create local jobs, improve public safety, enhance several roads and water infrastructure, address hunger, expand access to public transit, and build more affordable housing,” said Strickland. “Community Project Funding helps make the South Sound a more safe and secure place to live and work.”
In Gig Harbor, Washington, a collaboration between Heidelberg Materials North America, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, and their partners has showcased an innovative approach to construction: insulated concrete forms (ICF) using concrete produced with EvoBuild® low carbon concrete and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA).
This project was supplied by Corliss Resources LLC, a Heidelberg Materials company which has started its rebranding to Heidelberg Materials this week.
By leveraging Heidelberg Materials’ Revolve™ RCA product, the second and third homes in the development have succeeded in substituting over 90% of virgin coarse aggregate with recycled material. This advancement marks a significant stride within the concrete industry toward sustainable, circular practices, while concurrently delivering secure, economical, and resilient housing options for families and communities.
The advantages of ICF construction are multifaceted, encompassing fire resistance, energy efficiency and sustainability. Notably, the system also excels in noise reduction, owing to the acoustical insulation capabilities of the EPS panels and the substantial concrete walls. Situated adjacent to Hwy 16, mitigating noise pollution emerged as a critical consideration, making the adoption of ICF construction methodologies a prudent departure from conventional building practices.
Clark Construction, hailing from Bainbridge Island, assumed the role of general contractor for all three homes, bringing with them extensive proficiency in ICF construction techniques. A consortium of members from the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) and partners associated with the Build with Strength coalition have generously contributed discounted or donated materials for this endeavour. Noteworthy contributors include the Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association, Quad-Lock, Heidelberg Materials, Airfoam Industries, Brundage Bone, Solid Carbon, American Concrete Pumpers Association and Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association.
This project forms part of a broader collaboration between Build with Strength and Habitat for Humanity International, aiming to erect at least 50 sustainable concrete homes across 50 states within a span of five years. Presently, according to the NRMCA, the partnership has propelled the construction of 76 homes in various phases across 33 states in less than 2.5 years, underscoring its commitment to sustainable, resilient housing solutions.
Heidelberg Materials has been involved in several of the projects around the country championing sustainability with optimising concrete mixtures for lower carbon with EvoBuild®, EcoCemPLC™ and Revolve™ recycled aggregates.
Recognizing the harm that has been aimed at the Black and African American community as it relates to homeownership is key to understanding why there is mistrust toward those who approach the community claiming to want to help. It is fact that the journey towards homeownership can seem more so out of reach for Black and brown homebuyers as a result of years of systemically discriminatory practices against Black and brown communities, such as redlining and predatory banking practices. Today, 44% of Black Americans own a home whereas 72.7 % of white Americans own a home.
The Pathways to Homeownership program is a partnership between Tacoma/ Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and the Tacoma Urban League that seeks to address the challenges that have created racial disparity in homeownership rates. Empowering the Black community through financial education and housing counseling support is the main focus of the program, while working towards the ultimate goal of increasing Black homeownership rates within Pierce County.
One of the best ways to support a potential homebuyer is through education and information sharing, which sets up prospective homeowners to be their own best advocates, and confidently be able to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Housing counselors at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity do just that by offering pre-purchase counseling and support as people go on the emotional journey made tougher by mistrust in a system that has historically harmed their communities. Trust is a key component to any relationship, and this is especially so in a client/counselor relationship.
The cultivation of safe spaces is important in building trusted relationships. Since 1968, the Tacoma Urban League has passionately served the Black, brown, and marginalized communities focusing on economic, social and civic empowerment. It functions as not only a hub for community resources, but also as a safe space for the BIPOC and marginalized communities. Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has been a champion of affordable housing since 1985, striving toward the mission of helping people achieve and preserve homeownership and to build generational wealth, hope and opportunity.
The Pathways to Homeownership program seeks to expand the reach of homeownership preparedness resources to the Black and African American community through combined efforts expanding pre-existing support services offered by each partner organization. Two dedicated days out of the week in the afternoons, a housing counselor from Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is on site at the Tacoma Urban League office to be an easily accessible point of contact to accommodate any person who walks in seeking homeownership resources or guidance. One-on-one housing and financial counseling are provided by a HUD-certified and AFCPE certified counselor at no cost to community.
To further help support anyone seeking knowledge on how to financially prepare for homeownership, workshops focused on financial education have been offered both virtually and in person. Having the ability to host the workshops both at the Tacoma Urban League and the Tacoma Habitat offices makes it easier to meet the community where they are at. Because of this collaboration, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has a wider reach in the Black and African American community.
Inspired by the partnership with the Tacoma Urban League, the Pathways to Homeownership team looks for other creative ways to meet the community where they are. One way to do this is through outreach via locally owned Black businesses. What started out as simply asking for recommendations on where to get food or hair products evolved into, “Let’s host team meetings at Black owned small businesses.” This then morphed into, “How can they further support these amazing businesses and share them with the community?” These “Taste of Tacoma” adventures have inspired us to eventually incorporate the rotation of the promotion or spotlight of a local Black owned business in the events that we host to the community.
The Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity box truck that was stolen on over the Christmas holiday has been found.
The South Sound charity says the truck’s theft was a setback, because they use the 2017 $56,000 Ford F650 truck every day of the work week to pick up donations such as gently used furniture and construction supplies and bring them to various retail locations. Sales from those donations help fund their work to build homes for those in need.
The truck was so new it was so new, no decals were on it yet, according to KIRO 7.
But calling it a “Christmas or New Year’s miracle,” spokesperson and Chief Philanthropy Officer Sherrana Kildun told KIRO Newsradio the organization got a call Thursday night from someone who saw the truck in Redmond.
“Finding it is such a big deal for us because we couldn’t afford to replace it,” Kildun said.
Kildun told KIRO 7 someone saw the truck on Thursday night and reported it to the Tacoma Police Department. From there, two of the charity’s staff members went to check it out and discovered it was the stolen truck, Kildun said to KIRO Newsradio.
Officers investigated and found that its license plates had already been changed by whoever had stolen the truck, KIRO 7 noted. The truck sustained some damage and it is expected get serviced soon.
Kildun said the community “really stepped up and helped us out” and feels eternally grateful about the resolution to this incident.
“Neighbors helping neighbors. That is exactly what Habitat is all about and that’s what we saw,” Kildun said to KIRO Newsradio Friday.
More on the truck’s theft
Director of operations Ed Dopp told KIRO 7 the suspects slashed power to the building, helping hide the heist.
“There are three or four warehouses and all of the power was cut,” Dopp said.
An employee discovered the damage Tuesday morning.
“She realized the truck was missing and another truck vandalized,” Dopp said. “And the alarm pad had been taken.”
He said burglars also stole a truck battery and their commercial gas cards.
The Tacoma Police Department said the Habitat for Humanity was only one of two businesses burglarized at the warehouses.
“For someone to come in and damage this business and take away from the community – it’s hurtful,” Tacoma Police Detective William Muse said, according to KIRO 7.
TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma’s Habitat for Humanity was hoping to start the new year off strong. Instead, the organization is dealing with a major setback: its newest truck, stolen right out of its warehouse.
The nonprofit organization said a motion alarm went off on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. The warning was dismissed because there weren’t any other issues.
Workers were shocked to see burglars had made off with so much, said Sherrana Kildun, Habitat for Humanity’s chief development officer.
“They stole the truck. They also took a battery out of another truck,” she said. “They hit a couple of other businesses that use that warehouse.”
Kildun said the stolen truck was the largest in their fleet and was so new it didn’t even have the organization’s logo on it yet.
The organization later learned that the power to the entire warehouse complex was cut off, which helped give the thieves access.
Director of Operations Ed Dopp said replacing the truck would be almost impossible for the nonprofit organization.
“It was in perfect condition, even though it was a 2017,” he said. “We were able to purchase it for $56,000. Currently, the same style truck in a new model is going for about $150,000. So it really put it out of our price range to get a new vehicle.”
Kildun said the loss has already affected operations, forcing the group to push back picking up donations. She also said the Habitat’s limited resources are being diverted to enhance anti-theft measure, like installing more security cameras and vehicle trackers
Now the hope is that someone will notify the authorities and the truck will be returned soon.
“Donations that could be used to fulfill our mission are now having to be re-directed for security reasons and theft and things like that,” she said. “It’s disheartening, but we know the community can rally and support us and we’re just asking for help.”
Officials with the nonprofit said the 2017 Ford box truck was parked and locked inside their offsite warehouse on Christmas Eve.
Ed Dopp, director of operations, said he received notice on Sunday from their alarm system detecting motion at the warehouse. Tuesday morning, the team returned to work to find the aftermath of a break-in.
“We went down there, and the keypad had been broken into,” said Sherrana Kildun, chief development officer. “We woke up after a holiday ready to come back to work and serve our community. It’s a blow. It’s disheartening.”
Not only did the thief steal their new box truck, Habitat for Humanity also said the suspect cut cables on their other trucks, stole the vehicles’ batteries and all their gas cards. Officials said three other businesses at the same complex were also victimized.
“It was like the perfect storm,” said Dopp.
Habitat for Humanity recently purchased the box truck for $56,000 from a local commercial business. It became their largest box truck in the fleet. Spending that kind of money is not something Dopp said they take lightly. The director of operations explained their other two box trucks and much of their equipment is donated to Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s going to be difficult to replace it if we can’t find it,” said Dopp.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that relies on donations to build, rehabilitate, and repair homes for low to moderate income families, with the goal of achieving affordable home ownership. The loss of the box truck puts a strain on their services and fulfilling the mission. With one less in the fleet, the team must rely on two of their smaller trucks to pick up donations throughout every corner of Pierce County.
“We’ve already had to cancel some of our pickups over the last couple days,” said Kildun.
“It bothers me that we work very hard to support Pierce County, and the thought that that doesn’t matter to some folks. It’s kind of saddening. But it’s a different world now and a lot of people are struggling,” said Dopp.
The white box truck is so new, Habitat for Humanity had not even branded it yet. There are no logos or decals on any parts of the truck.
On Friday, Kildun told FOX 13 that the truck had been recovered in Redmond, Washington.
Kildun said Habiat for Humanity has been a victim of theft several times before, but never to this magnitude. She said the team will increase security measures, including vehicle trackers and security cameras, to prevent future break-ins.
Despite the setback, Kildun said they will continue providing the services people know, love, and rely on in the community. All they ask now is for the community to help them find their box truck or replace it.
“The donations that could be used to continue to fulfill our mission are having to be directed for security reasons and theft and things like that,” said Kildun. “So, instead of allowing us to enhance and serve the community more, we have to slow down a little bit.”
That’s what staff at the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is wondering. They returned from their Christmas holiday Tuesday, Dec. 26, to find their newly purchased $56,000 delivery truck stolen.
Habitat usually takes donations of used vehicles to serve as their pick up and delivery box trucks. But with three stores in Pierce County and rising repair costs, the agency that builds and refurbishes homes for low and moderate income people bought a 2017 Ford F650 box truck in November.
“We’re driving all over Pierce County to pick up donations of furniture and gently used construction supplies,” Sherrana Kildun, Habitat’s chief development officer, said.
The trucks are an integral part of the agency’s work.
“And they are used every single day,” she said.
According to Tacoma Police spokesperson detective William Muse, the truck was inside Habitat’s locked South Tacoma warehouse. The thief or thieves also broke into an adjoining business.
“This is really hard,” Kildun said Wednesday, Dec. 27. “Coming back form our holiday vacations, we’re excited to get back to serving our community.”
Habitat has had to reschedule donation pickups, she said.
According to Muse and Kildun, the truck or its Good to Go sticker traveled into the state Route 99 tunnel in Seattle on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The box truck had yet to be painted with Habitat’s logo. It bears Washington license plate number D47708C. If seen, the public is advised to call 911.
Proceeds from the three Habitat stores in Tacoma, Lakewood and Puyallup help build, rehabilitate, and repair homes for families in Pierce County. The agency is building a 12-town home development in Tillicum and three homes in Gig Harbor.
Habitat is also working to purchase 80 single family homes from with the Pierce County Housing Authority and renovate them, Kildun said.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is making significant strides in addressing homeownership disparities and diversifying the housing market with its transformative project, preserving 80 single-family homes and offering them as affordable homeownership opportunities to income-qualified buyers. This initiative is part of Tacoma Habitat’s commitment to bridging the historical, racial, and wealth gaps as highlighted in recent disparity reports by the State of Washington and the City of Tacoma.
Through Tacoma Habitat’s Homebuyer Program, income-qualified Pierce County residents can own a home with resources and support from the organization including down payment assistance programs and special mortgage products just for Habitat homebuyers.
There are many stories to share about this organization, like Chris, a current Habitat homeowner. “I moved seven times in 10 years. I couldn’t afford a place that was safe and comfortable,” he said. “Working with Habitat makes you feel prideful – like you’re a part of the house. A lot of people think they can’t own a home because they don’t make enough money, and banks don’t make you feel like it’s a possibility for anyone. But Habitat has made my dreams come true.”
Habitat homes are single-family detached homes including 3-4 bedrooms and 1-2 baths, with some appliances included such as a dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator.
Those eligible for the program must have household incomes of at least $60,000/year, with a credit score of 620. In a partnership with Tacoma Habitat, homeowners are able to boost stability, security, self-reliance, and build wealth. Free financial counseling is available to all Pierce County residents, to help get households buyer ready.
“I want my son to experience what I did growing up,” said Sara, a Habitat homeowner. Prior to her Habitat home, she had experienced two evictions and was living with her brother. Now, she has pride in her homeownership.
In partnership with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Build with Strength coalition, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is building the first zero-carbon concrete home in the U.S., a recent Habitat for Humanity release said.
The project represents the first Tacoma Habitat home using insulated concrete forms; a sustainable and noncombustible concrete building system that will reduce upfront expenses; and on-site construction time while maximizing the structure’s durability and energy performance, noted the release.
Homes made in this style will be located in Gig Harbor off Highway 16.
“As an industry, we are looking for new, innovative ideas to provide resilient, affordable housing while also achieving our industry’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050,” Gregg Lewis, chief communications officer at NRMCA, said in the release.
Habitat for Humanity International and Build with Strength plan to construct 50 sustainable concrete homes across 50 states in the next five years. They currently have 76 homes under construction in 33 states, the release said.
In 2010, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity bought 1.2 acres of land near St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor. The nonprofit planned to build affordable housing for local families on the plot off Canterwood Boulevard.
The project has been largely at a standstill until this year due to budget issues, said Sherrana Kildun, chief philanthropy officer for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. Pierce County required construction of a road and a retaining wall, adding to the cost and the timeline. Habitat’s plans shifted again as it sought ways to limit noise from nearby Highway 16.
But construction could start soon — perhaps late July or early August — on the three-home development. A family is already on board for the first home. The other two are available for qualifying families.
A flyer for new Habitat for Humanity homes planned in Gig Harbor.
Chapel Hill Church is a sponsor
Families who have a maximum gross income of up to 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for a Habitat home. The calculation is based on household size. For a family of four in our area, the maximum annual income for qualifying families would be $81,200. (For two of the homes in the Gig Harbor neighborhood, the eligibility standard is 50 percent of area median income, or about $50,000; but 80 percent is the standard for Pierce County Habitat projects.)
“It will be a beautiful neighborhood at the bottom of a hill surrounded by trees and grass,” Kildun said.
Sponsors help with costs to bring the price of the home into an affordable range for first-time homebuyers. Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church is the sponsor of one of the three Canterwood homes, Kildun said.
Chapel Hill sees a great need for affordable housing, said Chandra Hallam, local outreach coordinator for the church.The church committed the $75,000 needed to sponsor the home.
In addition to meeting the financial qualifications, families who purchase Habitat for Humanity homes must go through a homebuyer education program and donate hours toward the build of their home and another recipient’s home.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers
A small army of volunteers joins the homeowner family on the construction project. For the Canterwood Boulevard homes, two of those volunteers will be Gig Harbor residents Mark and Carolyn MacLeod, who have volunteered with the organization since the late 1980s.
Carolyn is a retired registered nurse who worked in the neonatal intensive care unit of Tacoma General Hospital. Mark worked for 39 years in international transportation and sales, and will soon retire from his second job as the facilities director for St. Nicolas Church and school in Gig Harbor.
“Most of us are really invested in it, and it’s part of our everyday lives now,” Carolyn said. “It’s fun to see people I’ve worked with in years past, and it’s a real pleasure to go out and do it.”
The couple feels strongly that affordable housing is a need in the area. By providing a hand up, not a handout, they said Habitat for Humanity helps make communities stronger.
“It’s important if you want society to prosper as a healthy community, where people are safe, and can be good neighbors,” Carolyn said.
Mark and Carolyn MacLeod of Gig Harbor are active volunteers with the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity organization. They will help build three homes off Canterwood Boulevard in Gig Harbor.
College students and Habitat veterans
Mark has seen tremendous changes in how Habitat homes come together. While in the beginning he swung a hammer, these days you won’t find many of them on a work site.
“It’s more efficient now with new equipment, but it couldn’t get done without the volunteerism,” he said. “We have college kids that come during spring break every year, from all over the country, who will pay their own way to come to a Habitat site.”
The program requires homeowners to donate 250 hours to their home and someone else’s. Carolyn said some want to keep paying it forward.
“One of the neat things that warms your heart is more than one time we’d be building a house, and one of the original homeowners from 10 years earlier will show up on the job site and help out,” Carolyn said.
Now that they are both retired, they said they will likely spend more time on the build sites, and possibly do some work internationally with the organization.
“They call us the weekday regulars, which means we know enough to be dangerous,” Mark joked. “There are a lot of mentors who taught me stuff, and it’s fun. They trust you to take a crew and do a job, because you know enough to get it done. It’s all about helping each other. “
Carolyn said she’s learned so many skills over the years, including spackling and using a palm nailer.
Home building is just one way to volunteer, they said. There are other ways to help, and all are just as important.“There’s a place for everybody,” Mark said.
‘It’s totally fun’
Another Gig Harbor resident, Lisa Eul, has been volunteering for more than 20 years. She said she has learned all sorts of skills that have helped her as a homeowner, and that she has made friends over the years.
“You learn something every time you go, whether it’s putting on a roof, drywall, tile, or flooring,” she said. “We can’t do plumbing or electrical, but pretty much everything else. The people who work for Habitat are amazingly patient, and they help you learn.
“It’s totally fun, and I’m serious. It’s so much fun, not just because you’re helping others, but because you get to see the progress, and you socialize with people. I can’t say enough good things about Habitat for Humanity. The volunteers and supervisors are awesome.”
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization, but works with people and organizations of any belief, Kildun said.
Click here for more information on Habitat for Humanity. For more information on becoming a first-time homebuyer through Habitat for Humanity, click here.
TACOMA, Wash. – Despite inflation fears, Tacoma will need nearly 10,000 houses ‘For Sale’ to meet expected demand over the next three years, according to the latest forecast from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The department also predicts only 1,300 new homes will be built in that same period.With such an unbalanced demand versus supply problem, Pierce County is stepping up to help build solutions for those who would be outbid in such a competitive market.
Pierce County Human Services is awarding more than $17 million for nine affordable housing and low-income housing development projects. The Pierce County Council approved use of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Several local organizations are receiving the money to develop 335 new units across the county.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is one of the developers. CEO Maureen Fife said the developments are steps in a positive direction to help people struggling in a competitive housing market.
“It is an immense lift for families, low and moderate-income families, that are working hard that have not been able to qualify for anything on the market,” said Fife.
The dollars will fund a diversified housing need, including houses, townhomes and apartments for disabled adults, senior citizens and those experiencing homelessness.
“We are at an incredible deficit for affordable rentals as well as normal units, on the market units. So, with this huge cash infusion, they have a chance to really leverage that and make a difference,” said Fife, referring to Pierce County’s plan.
“I think, one, it creates hope in our community that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And, two, instead of talking about it, we’re actually walking the walk now,” said John Barbee, community services division manager for Pierce County Human Services.
To put the plan into action, Barbee explained the county started by hiring a consultant to see what the affordable housing need actually is.
“It told us that we need approximately 2,300 units annually added for the next 20 plus years. So, that’s kind of been our benchmark and we’ve got to figure out a way to get that,” said Barbee. “There’s still $12 million of unmet needs of our $29 million ask. So, we’re going to hopefully put some resources into place. We’ve generated that waiting list and we’ll just plug away.”
The development projects are at the beginning stages of construction. Habitat for Humanity has two developments in Tacoma, with the goal of finishing at least one of them in two years.
Though the county is $12 million away from the annual goal, Barbee said at last this new opportunity is an encouraging start. Soon, it will be a new start for families longing for a place to call their own.
“It’s security for their children. Their family won’t be moving every six to 12 months because the rent went up. Those kids will have stability in their classroom, with their peers,” said Fife. “Parents didn’t realize how tense they were and how that affected their relationship with their kids, at their jobs. But when they had a chance to actually breathe and know that this house was theirs, it made all the difference in the world.”
TACOMA, Wash. – The City of Tacoma is investing $1.43 million to help folks stay in their homes as concerns of foreclosures sweep across the country.
According to national numbers, about 3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages and officials predict a possible wave of foreclosures coming due to COVID-19.
Officials say the issue is a lot of people chose to skip payments through forbearance, not realizing the payments would only add up and become due later.
“There are a lot of homeowners that are struggling and not able to make their mortgage payments,” said Deena Geisen.
Geisen is the Director of homeowner services for the Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
The City of Tacoma is working alongside Habitat for Humanity to distribute the money to the community. Geisen said this new program will have a big impact.
“It does lift a financial burden off of people,” she said.
The program is specifically targeting homeowners who make 80% or below the median income in Pierce County and whose jobs were impacted by COVID-19. Applicants must also live in Tacoma.
Families selected will receive foreclosure prevention counseling, as well as up to four months of mortgage assistance with a $6,000 cap.
The application process began this week and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in applying, click here.
“I think they’ll be excited,” Elaine told me on Tuesday, one of the 28-year-old bank teller’s days off.
For the last four years, Elaine — who asked to be identified by a different name to maintain her family’s privacy — has been living with her two young sons at her mom’s house in Puyallup. Sharing a single bedroom, it’s been a circumstance of necessity for the single mother. When rent at her former apartment climbed too high, Elaine and her kids were priced out, becoming statistics of the regional housing affordability crisis we hear so much about.
The boys have coped, as children do, Elaine said, but it’s been difficult.
“Kids are pretty smart,” she reminded me.
Though they’ve had a place to sleep, her 6- and 7-year-old have ached to “go home,” even if — in this case — “home” was an abstract longing.
“They just know, ‘This is not my house,’” Elaine said. “They’ve been wanting to go home for a while now.”
In the coming weeks, they’ll finally get the chance.
Three bedrooms await them at a recently finished new home in Midland. The single-family residence — which Elaine will purchase — is the final piece of Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s 11-property Tyler Court development. It’s also unique, having been paid for and built from scratch in large part by a Puyallup-based company that’s best known for distributing pallets of beer to local stores, bars and restaurants.
Habitat for Humanity calls the project, “The House that Beer Built,” and credits Olympic Eagle Distribution — which supplies the area with Anheuser-Busch products as well as offerings from a number of local craft brewers — with much of its funding and construction. With financial help from Constellation Brands — the company that represents happy hour mainstays Corona and Modelo — it’s an example of the kind of creative partnerships the nonprofit relies on to help families achieve home ownership, according to Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity director of community engagement Tracey Sorenson.
The idea was borrowed from Boulder, Colorado, Sorenson said, where the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate constructed the first House that Beer Built back in 2015 with the help of craft breweries in the area. Like much of the agency’s work these days, Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s project is intended to bridge the growing divide between stagnant wages and the skyrocketing cost of housing. While Elaine has worked as a bank teller for five years and has sterling credit, she earns 53-percent of the Pierce County area median income, which has made even renting a one-bedroom apartment in most places nearly impossible.
Providing the chance of home ownership reverberates for years to come, Sorenson believes.
“It’s wealth building and it’s often an end to generational poverty,” Sorenson said. “A lot of families that come to Habitat, they’re first-time homebuyers, not only themselves but the first in their family to own a home. So it’s really about the generations moving forward.”
For Elaine, the new home in Midland — which she was able to tour earlier this month — will mark the fulfillment of a dream, not that she has the privilege of basking in sentimentality. For her family, the upcoming move will mean “stability” at long last, she said. That’s what matters most.
“The most important thing is having affordable housing,” said Elaine, who qualified for Habitat for Humanity housing based on her income, financial readiness and her willingness to perform 200 hours of labor working on homes the nonprofit is building.
“It will be a sense of relief, just knowing that … I will be good, and don’t have to worry about where I’m going to lay my head,” Elaine said. “It has just been really difficult to even find a decent place.”
According to Neil Pearson, Olympic Eagle’s director of marketing, they’re words that make the last year of hard work worth it, not that the time, effort and money his company has expended have ever been in question.
From last July through the end of March, Olympic Eagle employees worked on the home nearly every Friday, raising its walls and hammering its nails. With Constellation, the company also paid $75,000 for construction materials, which Sorenson said made up two-thirds of the “sticks and bricks” cost of the home.
Pearson described it as a way for Olympic Eagle to give back to its community, and also an opportunity to strengthen company bonds during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people apart. While Olympic Eagle has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in the past, spending a few days every year helping to build other homes, dedicating itself to funding and completing the “House that Beer Built” has provided a sense of pride, he said.
Working on the home also has inspired friendly competition, he said, with employees across the company — from sales reps, to warehouse workers and delivery drivers — quickly taking ownership of the project. Olympic Eagle has already committed to doing it again this year, he said.
“It definitely felt like a piece of our company. Just walking through it, there’s a smile on everyone’s face. People are like, ‘I’ve never done flooring, but I did that flooring,’ or ‘I’ve never put a cabinet up, but I put that cabinet up,’” Pearson said. “It feels like it’s your own house at some level. … You get to see it progress, and go from start to finish.”
Elaine said she can’t wait to show her boys the final product.
“They know that where we’re staying is grandma’s house, but it’s not their own,” she said of the family’s living situation over the past four years.
“So the fact that we got lucky enough to get three bedrooms — and they will have an option to have their own rooms — is even more exciting.”
Employees of Olympic Eagle Distributing of Puyallup teamed up with Constellation Brands brewers and Habitat for Humanity to fund and construct a home in Puyallup as part of “The House That Beer Built” program. BY TONY OVERMAN
There was a moment, Angela Torres said, when it hit her.
It was her first time sitting outside her new home in Midland at night, and “it was just absolute quiet,” Torres recalled this week.
“I didn’t hear kids yelling or screaming. It was like, ‘Oh my God, we’re actually in here.’”
Days earlier, Torres, her mother and her teenage nephew had received the keys to a brand new home.
Previously, all of them had been sharing a residence with Torres’ niece, who has four children of her own.
It was cramped and crowded, and done out of necessity. Roughly two years earlier, skyrocketing rents had displaced Torres and her family from the 1-bedroom apartment they’d previously shared, so her niece took them all in.
Now, Torres was finally turning the page. Her new home — which she was able to purchase through Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity — came with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of fulfilled dreams.
It also made Torres the first person to move into a Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity home since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“I’ve worked hard for it,” Torres said of her new home. “This is the one thing I’ve always wanted. I always told myself … I’m going to own a house one day. To me, that was the goal.”
Torres officially got the keys to her new house on Friday, May 15. It was a day she had long been working toward. As part of the deal that made the affordable home purchase possible through Habitat for Humanity, she logged nearly 300 hours of volunteer work on the site.
The labor was the easy part, Torres said.
What was far more difficult, according to the 55-year-old originally from Hawaii, was the last-minute dose of uncertainty and panic that accompanied the coronavirus crisis and the ensuing economic fallout.
Over the last two months, Torres acknowledged there were many times when she feared it would all fall apart.
Torres is employed as a forklift driver at Goodwill but was temporarily laid off. She’s hoping to return to work next month.
When she filed for unemployment, Torres learned her identity had been stolen and someone was attempting to claim her benefits. The fraud significantly delayed Torres from claiming the money that is rightfully hers.
At the 11th hour, the lender that was supposed to finance her mortgage backed out. Thankfully, after a mad scramble, Banner Bank jumped in and came to the rescue.
Then, of course, there was what the state stay-home order might mean for the construction of her home, which was nearing completion when the state shutdown.
“Honestly, I was ready to just give up. There were days when I was overwhelmed,” Torres said. “If not for Habitat, I don’t know what would have happened. I got a lot of support from them. They would not let me give up.”
For Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, the potential impact of the COVID-19 crisis also was cause for serious concern. The nonprofit had nine families just like Torres’ preparing to move into a new home when the pandemic hit, and what it would mean for them wasn’t entirely clear at first.
Because Habitat for Humanity produces low-income housing, the nonprofit’s work was deemed essential under Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order. But there were significant challenges to navigate when it came to the work typically done by hundreds of volunteers, which froze in mid-March.
The only people left who were allowed to work were Habitat for Humanity’s paid construction site managers, office staff and employees of the nonprofit’s stores, Fife recalled.
Together, they rose to the challenge, collectively making up for more than 1,500 volunteer hours lost in April and May, Fife said — all while adhering to social distancing protocols.
“It definitely turned our cart upside down, so to speak,” Fife said of the coronavirus crisis. “ I could not be more proud of the way the Habitat team has pulled together.”
Fife is hopeful there will be more stories like Torres’ soon.
Every year, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity reviews about 40 applications from prospective homeowners and builds roughly a dozen houses, according to spokesperson Sherrana Kildun. All of them go to residents earning between 30 and 80 percent of area median income, with mortgages no greater than 30 percent of their income.
Torres, meanwhile, is still pinching herself. Along with being a guardian for her nephew, she cares for her mother, who is battling Parkinson’s disease.
The new home, she said, has been a blessing.
“No matter what it took, I wanted to make it happen for my mom. She’s never had a house. She’s going to be 88. Before she dies, I wanted her to know I did everything in my power to have a place to call home, and she doesn’t have to worry,” Torres said.
In Washington, where the housing market remains hot, affordable housing is a constant topic of conversation. A new bill squeaked out just before the end of the 2019 legislative sessions that will help increase affordable housing opportunities.
Senate Bill 5025/1168 will allow for “significant cost savings” on each home built and sold by a nonprofit facilitator for low-income clients by allowing for an exemption on real estate excise tax.
The cost of residential construction is only getting more expensive, and Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), who sponsored the bill, noted this legislative bill will assist more than 30 nonprofit homeownership facilitators across the state.
“These organizations help Washingtonians end the cycle of generational poverty,” Das said in a written statement. “We have a growing homelessness crisis in our state. And while this bill won’t solve the problem, it will help the hard-working people own their own homes.”
CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Maureen Fife said, in response to the passing of the bill: “This is one of the most significant wins for affordable homeownership in the state of Washington in the last 20 years or more. We look forward to putting this legislation to work and making the dream of affordable homeownership a reality for more members of our community.”
They say the hardest part is leaning back over the side of the building. Trusting the ropes. Trusting the reassuring words of your talented guide. From experience, I can confirm that the first step in rappelling down the side of Tacoma’s Hotel Murano was pretty scary.
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes to rappel down one side of Hotel Murano.
But once that part was over, my feet firmly planted against the building and my hands a little more comfortable with controlling the speed of the ropes, the thrill of the descent and the stunning views of the city more than made up for any initial fear.
It took a little over five minutes for me to rappel 245 feet earlier this month during one of the Pacific Northwest’s most extreme fundraising events in recent memory.
The far-off look of someone very happy to be standing on solid ground.
This year’s 2018 Habitat Challenge, supported by Over the Edge, saw 54 people make the plunge and raised more than $95,000 for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. Each “edger” committed to raising at least $1,000 prior to the event.
Participants included current Habitat homeowners like Denise Nicole, a local mother who now lives in a Habitat home she herself helped to build.
“I feel like Habitat gives you a hand up,” she said in a statement on the Tacoma organization’s website. “With hard work, and dedication, and teamwork, I have a house. Habitat is a blessing to my life. I am so fortunate I was selected for the program.”
All Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity houses are ENERGY STAR certified and are constructed using a variety of green building practices and features.
Donations for Habitat Challenge are still being accepted here.
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma plumbing company with a 4.9 review rating on Google, is giving back to the Tacoma community this Saturday by working on a home for Habitat for Humanity.
The company will begin work in the Tillicum neighborhood at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday. Team members from across Harts Services will join together to help build a new home for the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity chapter.
“We appreciate everything Tacoma has done for our business, and this is just one of the ways we want to give back to the community,” said Rich Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “The Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity does great work for underprivileged families, and we are glad to be able to help make a family’s dream of homeownership come true.”
Harts Services is committed to giving back to the Tacoma community, and working on the Habitat for Humanity home is just one way the home services company is doing so. Hart Services also participate in the Adopt a Highway program and has plans to pick up litter along State Route 512.
“Tacoma is a great place to live and work, and we want to do our part to keep it that way,” Hart said. “Investing in one’s community doesn’t always have to be in monetary form. Loving it, beautifying it and helping people who live in it will help Tacoma thrive.”
Tacoma residents looking for more information about Harts Services can call 1-253-345-7222 or visit www.hartsservices.com.
About Harts Services – Harts Services was founded in Tacoma in 2013 by co-owners Rich Hart and Dan Hartsough. Harts Services offers plumbing to residential and commercial customers, and has a 4.9/5 rating on Google. Guided by its motto, We Care More, the company is committed to incorporating a caring attitude into every aspect of the business. For more information, call 1-253-345-7222 or visit www.hartsservices.com.
Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and MultiCare Health System are taking an innovative approach to building affordable housing for low-income families.
MultiCare has decided to donate four single-family houses on property near Tacoma General Hospital to the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a long-time partner of the health organization. The four properties – purchased years ago for the purposes of making room for additional facilities – are deemed no longer valuable, but to Habitat for Humanity the historic homes are significantly valuable to fulfilling its mission of serving low-income families.
Habitat for Humanity is on the fast-track to renovate each of the homes, and put each of them on the market. Proceeds from the sale will support the construction of an 11-single-family home Habitat for Humanity development planned for the Midland area, with construction scheduled for 2019. If all goes as planned, the first renovated property – this one located at 417 S. M St. – will hit the market sometime in May, according to Maureen Fife, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity.
Fife said the nonprofit is incredibly grateful for MultiCare’s gift.
“It will be a gift that launches a neighborhood, and we’re excited about it,” she said.
After a heavy snowfall the night before, a crew of volunteers on Thursday, Feb. 22 helped with the beginning stages of home renovation. Fife said the property at 417 S. M St. is a two-story with four bedrooms and one bath built in 1910. Led by Mike Taggart, Habitat’s site manager, renovations will include taking out a bedroom on the upper level to create a master suite with a private bath. Taggart’s team will also install new plumbing, electrical, new windows, and a new heat-pump system. An open-concept kitchen will be created and the house’s original hardwood floors will be retained.
“We plan to (retain) as much of the original house as we can,” Fife said. “This will be a great uplift for the neighborhood.”
Steve Crawford, a retired industrial worker, takes out the exterior of the bathroom with a crowbar in the house at 407 S. M St. in Tacoma. Photo by Andrew Fickes.
Three people on the volunteer crew on Thursday are MultiCare staff. Tara Bayudan, a post-surgical certified nursing assistant at MultiCare’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, was helping with the removal of ceiling beams and the clearing out of cabinets and debris from the property at 407 S. M St.
“It’s nice giving back to the community,” said Bayudan, who once volunteered for the Red Cross in her home country of the Philippines before joining MultiCare in January 2017. “I used to help my dad at my home in the Philippines. He is a handyman.”
MultiCare has been a supporter of Habitat with volunteers since 2012. Good Samaritan has provided volunteers since 2013. MultiCare and Good Samaritan collectively average three volunteer days per year and roughly 30-35 people annually.
Meanwhile, Steve Crawford, a retired industrial worker, said the opportunity to volunteer for Habitat is a satisfying return to his roots. During high school, Crawford discovered a passion for home construction as a laborer in a framing crew. The opportunity Habitat provides him, he said, is unmatched.
“I love this work. It’s great!” he said. “I love the philosophy behind it.”
After the house at 417 South M Street goes on the market in May, Fife said the other three properties, including one at 1216 South 4th Street and one at 1218 South 4th Street, will soon follow.
Fife said this spring will be an opportune time to enter the housing market with these newly renovated offerings.
“We want to take advantage of when people are really looking,” she said.
Submitted by Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
How to bring health, wellness and a spirit of togetherness to a neighborhood plagued by crime and drug-dealing that left residents traumatized?
Stubborness, a dream, and a whole lot of help from the community.
More than 150 people ran, jogged, walked and strollered the first-ever Team Tillicum 5K Run Walk Presented by Lowe’s held at Harry Todd Park in Tillicum on Sept. 9, 2017.
The 5K started as a dream for Tillicum residents more than two years ago and then became reality with help from Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and a grant from Lowe’s.
Turn-around sparked by Tillicum’s Becka Scanlan
It was a dream that would have died if it weren’t for the stubbornness. Becka Scanlan, a proud resident of Habitat for Humanity’s Tillicum housing community, couldn’t understand why her neighbors didn’t talk to each other.
“Everyone was so standoffish,” said Scanlan, who is not one to mince words. “I knew that if we could get to know one another, we could help each other.”
Scanlan got involved with the Tillicum Woodbrook Neighborhood Association and wound up as the group’s secretary. Tillicum resident and TWNA treasurer Abby Henning took an instant liking to Scanlan and the two hatched a plan for a 5K.
“It wasn’t always easy,” said Scanlan who also is senior pastor at New Beginnings Church in Tillicum. “People were constantly complaining. They would complain about garbage in the streets but wouldn’t do anything about it. They would talk about all the things going wrong but wouldn’t lift a finger to make it better.”
Scanlan wasn’t having it.
“I was sitting in my house one day, my wonderful house, and President Kennedy came to mind. I thought, we should stop asking what our community can do for us and start asking what we can do for our community.”
Scanlan and Henning partnered with Habitat to win a neighborhood revitalization grant from Lowe’s. The pair then helped Habitat leverage the seed money by working with the City of Lakewood and others.
But will they come?
Putting on an event is one thing. Coaxing the neighbors out of their homes was another thing entirely.
Early in 2017, Scanlan started a ‘walk with me’ initiative. Every Saturday morning, rain or shine, she would wait at the Tillicum Youth and Family Center run by Youth for Christ and then start walking the same course she would walk for the 5K event.
“It was great how we would start with two and end up with 10 as we walked,” she said. “Since January I’ve been out there, no matter the weather. I wanted them to know I was serious. That this was serious. That this (walking) was going to be a way of life.”
Scanlan stops suddenly, tears welling up in her eyes.
“As I was out there today…I saw people standing on their doorsteps and waving,” she said, her voice quavering.
“In order for change to take place you have to get involved. Sometimes I sit and I say to God, ‘who am I that I can make a difference?’ He wants us to be a shining light. I’m here to make a difference. To add on to what’s already here. Not to take away.”
What’s next? Just keep walking.
Scanlan is confident there will be a second 5K next year. “We can do more outreach, more things for the community. We have to let people know they don’t have to be scared, that their neighbors are here to help. That they can help others.”
And that they can keep walking. Every other Saturday, Scanlan will walk the 5K route with whoever shows up, making sure that togther their neighborhood is healthy and connected year-round.
TACOMA – After years of prayer and patience, Kennedy Bwanika soon will move his family into the first house they’ve owned.
Their Habitat for Humanity home has special significance. The family — Ugandan refugees who are members of Tacoma’s St. Leo the Great Parish — are buying the home built last year by the 25 parishes of the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Pierce Deanery, in honor of Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“Saints will be watching my house,” Bwanika said.
Bwanika moved to Tacoma in 2009, but couldn’t find affordable housing large enough for his nine-member family, who were still living in Uganda. “I was looking for a house. I have no money,” Bwanika said. “I was looking for someone to help me.”
He found that help at St. Leo’s. Parishioner Pat Coogan, a board member for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, and his wife, Patty, befriended Bwanika. They connected him with Habitat and welcomed his wife Mary Namukwaya and their seven children when they finally were able to arrive from Uganda in 2012. (Their eighth child, born in Tacoma, is now 4 years old.)
“A lot of volunteers and staff came together to give a family a stable home,” Coogan said. “I think this is a really good example of, we all do better if we help people out who are at the margins of society.”
Gifts and blessings
Parishioners, neighbors, gifts and blessings welcomed the family to their new home Aug. 13.
Benedictine Father Andrew Schwenke, visiting from Oregon’s Mount Angel Abbey, sprinkled a mix of holy water and salt in every room of the house, praying: “Pour out your blessing on this house and the family that is going to live in this house.”
The family was presented with a log cabin quilt made by parishioners at Immaculate Conception Mission in Steilacoom. Habitat for Humanity provided a basket of gifts with meaning: a Bible representing hope and faith, bread so they’ll always have food, sugar for something sweet in their lives, salt to add a little flavor, a candle for warmth and Play-Doh for fun.
An earlier gift, a bronze dedication plaque purchased by St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Tacoma, has been affixed to the home’s exterior.
Parishioners from St. Leo’s and St. Ann Parish in Tacoma attended the celebration, along with Dan Fannin, a member of Lakewood’s St. John Bosco Parish. Fannin originated the idea of the Pierce Deanery parishes sharing the costs and volunteer hours needed to erect the house.
“We had hoped to get a Catholic family in [the home] that would fully appreciate it was named in honor of Pope Francis,” Fannin said, pleased that Bwanika and his family are purchasing the house.
‘God wanted us to go into this house’
Bwanika started the Habitat application process in 2011, but several potential houses didn’t work out due to size, location or cost. Bwanika said he often asked God, “Have you forgotten me?”
After his family arrived in 2012, they lived with a St. Leo parishioner, later moving into Catholic Community Services housing. As time went on, the four older children went off to college, so the family didn’t need such a large house. But a walkable neighborhood, close to church, stores and public transportation, remained a priority.
When the Pope Francis House at The Woods at Golden Given became an option, Bwanika considered its location, in the Midland area outside Tacoma, less than ideal. He took a few days to think about it, but accepted when he realized this was his last chance for a Habitat house relatively close to Tacoma.
“God wanted us to go into this house,” Bwanika said. “Nothing can happen that is not in God’s plan.”
Meeting the requirements for Habitat home ownership wasn’t easy. Bwanika had to be able to afford the $165,000 mortgage, so he took on a part-time job as a dishwasher to supplement his full-time job as a Goodwill donation attendant. And the family had to be willing to complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” by volunteering for Habitat.
“Kennedy … has made the biggest impact on our volunteers,” said Jason Gauthier, operations director for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. “He works six to seven days a week, working hard to make a better life for his family. His work ethic, determination and spirit shone through.”
Soon Bwanika and Namukwaya will move into the home with their four younger children, daughters ages 9, 11 and 13; and son, 4.
“This house brings so much warmth to my heart,” said Maureen Fife, Habitat’s local CEO/executive director and a member of Tacoma’s St. Charles Borromeo Parish. “This is a very tangible sign of the Catholic community celebrating together Pope Francis’ message of love, compassion and generosity.”
“This [is] very tangible proof of open hearts and love for your brothers and sisters, and really being the hands and feet of Christ,” Maureen Fife, CEO/executive director of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, told those gathered for the Nov. 19 dedication.
“Pope Francis’ Jubilee House” is the work of the 25 parishes and missions of the archdiocese’s Pierce Deanery. Earlier this year, they joined forces and finances to sponsor a house in Habitat’s The Woods at Golden Given neighborhood, located in the Midland area outside Tacoma.
Building a home for someone you don’t yet know is “the kind of love and mercy I think that Pope Francis was urging us to have,” said Fife, a member of Tacoma’s St. Charles Borromeo Parish.
Father Burns led a group prayer at the Pope Francis’ Jubilee House dedication. Photo: Stephen Brashear.
Built on a firm foundation
The dedication ceremony began with Father Jerry Burns, pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Sumner and dean of the Pierce Deanery, reading Matthew 7:24-28 (the parable of the wise man building his house on rock and the foolish man building his house on sand).
“The good news here is that this house is built on a firm foundation,” Father Burns told those gathered.
He then led the group in prayer, thanking God for the generosity of all the parishes that came together in faith to build the house. He asked for the intercession of St. John Paul II for the safety of the family who will live in the home, and to keep their neighborhood free of drugs and violence. “May it be a place of peace where parents can grow and raise their children in God’s ways,” Father Burns prayed. After blessing the front door of the two-story home, Father Burns led the group inside, where he blessed each room.
Although the home is finished, Habitat is still seeking a family to purchase the property.
“We’d love to get a deanery parish family in here,” said Dan Fannin, a member of St. John Bosco Parish in Lakewood, who spearheaded the deanery project. Applicants for the home must meet specific criteria, which include qualifying for a $165,000 mortgage (Habitat provides $40,000 for the down payment), Fannin said.
At the dedication were, from left, Father Michael Radermacher, pastor of All Saints Parish in Puyallup; Jesuit Father Isidro Lépez, chaplain of the Pierce Deanery Hospital Ministry; Father Jerry Burns; and Dan Fannin of St. John Bosco Parish, who spearheaded the project. Photo: Stephen Brashear.
Volunteers of all ages
For their part, the Pierce Deanery parishes and missions are sharing the $65,000 in construction costs for the home (the funds can be raised over three years). They recruited more than 150 volunteers of all ages to help build the home and assist in other ways, such as providing lunch for the work crews. Students from Bellarmine Preparatory School and youth from St. Ann and St. Patrick parishes in Tacoma joined the effort.
The many volunteers included Barney Koenig, 80, a St. John Bosco parishioner who attended the dedication. “I think he’s the oldest volunteer,” Fannin said. “He wears me out. You ought to see him work.”
During the home’s construction, Koenig climbed scaffolding to help install roof sheathing, something he had never done before, a process he deemed “interesting” and “enjoyable.” He also did some painting, but the most difficult job, Koenig said, was working on his knees to clean floor tiles before they were grouted. “Good thing they have knee pads,” he added with a laugh.
The house, started in June, was dedicated just before the Year of Mercy concluded Nov. 20. “So we made it,” Fannin told the gathering. In honor of Pope Francis and the Jubilee Year of Mercy, a bronze plaque (purchased by St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Tacoma) will be attached to the home’s foundation.
This is the first time a group of Catholic parishes has sponsored a Habitat home in Pierce County, Fife said. She gave the credit to Fannin for getting the project rolling: “It was the sparks from Dan that lit the fuse on this whole thing,” Fife said.
Perched on Tacoma’s skyline, I distracted myself from what was behind me by locking my gaze forward.
I felt somewhat calm standing on a ledge atop the Hotel Murano like an Olympic platform diver preparing for a dramatic leap. Then came the instruction from rappel director Aaron Lennox.
“OK, lean back.”
Tentatively, I sat back, putting my trust in two thin ropes. With 24 stories of nothing below me, I felt my right leg quiver nervously. Then, the words of Edgeworks climbing guide Jimmy Grant popped into my head.
“It’s OK to be nervous,” Grant said moments before I took the elevator to the roof. “That’s what keeps you alive.”
On Friday (Sept. 30), from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 75 people will take turns rappelling down the hotel to raise money for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
Participants had to raise at least $1,000 to take part. Elliot Stockstad, director of development for the organization, said $85,000 was raised as of Thursday and fund raising will continue after the event. It’s gone so well, he said, the organization plans to bring back the event next year.
The idea for the Habitat Challenge came earlier this year when Nova Scotia-based Over The Edge contacted Stockstad. Over The Edge stages similar urban rappelling events around the world to help charities raise money.
245 The height in feet of Hotel Murano, Tacoma’s second tallest building. Wells Fargo Plaza is the tallest at 338 feet.
Stockstad said funds raised from Friday’s event will be used to build and repair homes for needy families in Pierce County.
On Thursday, as I received my pre-rappel instruction from Matt Jachowski, he told me the hardest part was dropping over the edge. The rest would be easy.
Getting hurt, he added, would be “impossible,” even though I had just signed a disclaimer that clearly stated death was a possibility.
Jachowski was right. Once I dropped over the edge, I felt like I was sitting on a slightly uncomfortable swing as I walked myself down the side of the building. I looked over each shoulder and took in a view that included Commencement Bay and a large swath of downtown.
Below, I saw a small crowd cheering me on. They seemed concerned I had become stuck or lost my nerve as I dangled for nearly five minutes, waiting for a photographer to make his way from the roof to the courtyard.
The 245-foot descent goes relatively slowly. Most will take five to 15 minutes. The equipment is designed to stop you should you go too fast. And once you get comfortable, there’s no motivation to move quickly.
“Tacoma is really beautiful,” said Krystle Edwards, another of Thursday’s eight participants. “I was looking around and thinking, ‘Wow, I really love Tacoma.’”
Edwards had rappelled only once before on a trip in the Swiss Alps with her Stadium High School classmate, Liz Daley. Daley was a rising star in mountaineering and snowboarding circles before she died in an avalanche in Argentina.
Thursday was the second anniversary of Daley’s death. Edwards was participating as part of an organization called Liz Rocks, which is raising money to build an outdoor rock climbing facility at Point Defiance. The second fund raiser for the project will be Saturday night at the Foss Waterway Seaport, where organizers hope to reach their $150,000 goal. They raised $80,000 last year.
Edwards figures a rappelling event seems like the perfect place to find people interested in a public climbing facility.
Even though most of those descending the Murano don’t have much experience rappelling.
“I’m a little nervous,” Stockstad said. “But it’s a trust thing. I’m excited to do it. And I’m excited to see so many other people do it.”
On Friday, participants get to choose a song that will play in the courtyard below while they descend. Stockstad has narrowed his choice to two: Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” or The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down.”
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity receives $30,000 grant
from Lowe’s to repair homes for low-income seniors in Pierce County
TACOMA, WA (November 29, 2023) – Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity received a $30,000 grant for its Aging in Place program, which provides low-cost major home repairs for low-income senior, disabled, or Veteran homeowners. Since it’s inception in 2020, Aging in Place has completed 159 projects in Pierce County, allowing over 300 people to safely age in their own homes, and communities of choice.
With the support of this grant, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has begun a major home modification and repair project for Linda, Puyallup resident. The project, taking place this week, requires demolishing the existing porch in order to install an ADA-compliant modular ramp, as well as widening the exterior door from 2’8” to 3’ to allow access with a walker.
This work will allow Linda to come and go from her home independently, empowering her to continue her favorite activities, like visiting her daughter and granddaughters. As a former social worker, Linda shared that she is used to being the one giving help and is humbled to now be receiving it.
“I am thrilled that this program has been able to improve quality of life for so many seniors like Linda who spent so long serving others. It’s only through generous donations like this one from Lowe’s that we are able to continue this work,” says Tracey Sorenson, Director of Community Engagement for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
The funding from Lowe’s is part of a two-year, $6 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International in support of home repair and preservation efforts for owner-occupied homes. Through this partnership, more than 75 local Habitat affiliates will complete more than 480 projects this year to address critical health and safety issues in homes across the U.S. Since 2003, Lowe’s and Habitat have worked together to help more than 18,000 people build or improve a place to call home.
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About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity As a nonprofit leader in the region, Tacoma Habitat is an experienced land developer, builder, mortgage lender, and advocate for housing affordability. A neighborhood builder since 1985, Tacoma Habitat serves households with income at/below 80 percent of the area median income. While continuing to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods, Tacoma Habitat is also developing new initiatives to address the dynamic needs of our community and now offers free HUD-approved housing counseling to all Pierce County residents and low-cost home repair and modifications to senior citizens and disabled Veterans. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
Gomer Roseman Honored at Tacoma City Council Meeting
TACOMA, WA (August 29, 2023) —Director of Site Development Gomer Roseman will be honored at tonight’s Tacoma City Council Meeting for his seventeen years at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and contributions to affordable housing development.
Roseman’s work spanned Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s years of greatest expansion. He oversaw the construction of approximately 190 Habitat homes and 20 home rehabilitations, which amounts to about two-thirds of Habitat’s total housing production since the organization was founded in 1985.
Among Roseman’s myriad of accomplishments is making the organization’s construction practices more sustainable. In 2007, Roseman took steps to make sure each subsequent Tacoma Habitat home complied with Energy Star certification requirements. In overseeing Tacoma Habitat’s largest development of 30 cottage-style homes at The Woods at Golden Given, Roseman’s environmental stewardship resulted in ACEC’s 2014 Silver Award and a Salmon Safe Certification.
Of Roseman’s work, CEO Maureen Fife says, “Gomer changed what we build and how we build it. Tacoma Habitat is the organization it is today in large part because of Gomer’s leadership.”
The Council Meeting will take place at City Council Chambers in Tacoma Municipal Building, First Floor, 747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402 on August 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
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About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity As a nonprofit leader in the region, Tacoma Habitat is an experienced land developer, builder, mortgage lender, and advocate for housing affordability. A neighborhood builder since 1985, Tacoma Habitat serves households with income at/below 80 percent of the area median income. While continuing to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods, Tacoma Habitat is also developing new initiatives to address the dynamic needs of our community and now offers free HUD-approved housing counseling to all Pierce County residents and low-cost home repair and modifications to senior citizens and disabled Veterans. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
Washington Legislature Provides
Affordable Housing Opportunities in a Year of Housing
TACOMA, WA (April 25, 2023) – The 2023 Legislative Session has been a year of unprecedented investment in housing, with the Washington State Legislature championing the preservation and growth of affordable housing in varying markets. Notably, the Washington State Capital Budget included a direct allocation of $14 million to Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity to fund a time-bound, limited opportunity to potentially preserve and create over 350 affordable housing opportunities with the Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA).
Five years ago, PCHA set out a plan to sell its single-family Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) portfolio consisting of 124 single-family homes and leverage proceeds to expand its affordable rental housing. The multi-staged repositioning plan is unique in that PCHA is not only preserving the units’ affordability, but is also extending homeownership opportunities to its tenants. Through the repositioning, all properties will first be offered to existing tenants for purchase and then any qualified voucher program participant will have the chance to purchase from the LIPH portfolio. Following PCHA tenants, the next preferred sales priority will go to affordable housing organizations like Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
As one of the region’s leading affordable housing developers with over 35 years’ experience, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is well-positioned to preserve the homes in PCHA’s LIPH portfolio. The organization was named a preferred bidder through an open application process. Habitat plans to purchase, rehabilitate and sell up to 80 of the repositioned homes to income-qualified buyers between 60-80% of the Area Median Income (maximum of $81,200 for a family of four). By selling these homes under their restricted resale model, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity will ensure the ongoing and permanent affordability of the homes.
Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (27th LD) said of the project, “We need more housing of all kinds in Pierce County and across our state, especially for families with middle- and low-income struggling to find affordable housing options. I’m thrilled that Legislature is making this significant investment in the work of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, an effective and trusted housing non-profit. I’m excited that Habitat will use these investments from our state capital budget to provide more homes for people in our community and keep them permanently affordable.”
PCHA will leverage revenue from the LIPH home sales and the new rental vouchers to generate up to $200,000,000 more affordable housing and eventually place an additional 150 households on rental subsidies, all while removing the fewest possible units from the County’s affordable housing stock.
Mark Martinez, Chairperson of the PCHA Board of Commissioners, said of Habitat’s inclusion on the Negotiated Sale Bidders List, “The Board and PCHA staff have been working diligently for many years to serve more households more efficiently and equitably. The HUD approval of our plan validates our efforts, and the State’s contribution to an organization such as Habitat, which has a model that will keep these homes affordable, decent, and in service to our community, moves us all closer to serving the extraordinary need faced by low-income households in our county.”
In preparation for the repositioning of PCHA’s portfolio, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has been working with local and state governments to secure funding for this acquisition. The $14 million allocation from the State’s capital budget is key in leveraging other funding for this project. The organization extends special thanks to Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (27th LD), Senator Chris Gildon (25th LD), Representative Mari Leavitt (28th LD), and Senator Mark Mullet (5th LD), and Representative Steve Tharinger (24th LD) Senator Mark Schoesler (9th LD), and Representative Mike Steele (12) for their collective leadership on affordable housing strategy across the housing spectrum.
“To have our elected leaders endorse Tacoma Habitat’s big dream with an investment of this size is overwhelming in the best ways. With the support of the Washington State Legislature, not only will 80 Pierce County residents achieve the stability of homeownership, but those homes’ affordability will be protected and continue to offer accessible, entry-level ownership opportunities for generations to come. We are thrilled to have the ’Community’s trust as we begin this project of a lifetime,” said Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s total investment to preserve up to 80 units will be about $43 million over three years. A community-wide philanthropic campaign to help reach that goal will be forthcoming.
The homes in question are primarily located in Spanaway and Parkland, with additional small clusters in Bonney Lake, Elk Plain, Graham, and the Peninsula. The repositioning project is projected to start in the spring of 2023 and continue through June 2025.
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About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity As a nonprofit leader in the region, Tacoma Habitat is an experienced land developer, builder, mortgage lender, and advocate for housing affordability. A neighborhood builder since 1985, Tacoma Habitat serves households with income at/below 80 percent of the area median income. While continuing to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods, Tacoma Habitat is also developing new initiatives to address the dynamic needs of our community and now offers free HUD-approved housing counseling to all Pierce County residents and low-cost home repair and modifications to senior citizens and disabled Veterans. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Pierce County Housing Authority
A public body, corporate and politic, created by Pierce County in 1978 under State statute to provide affordable housing for low-income families, the Pierce County Housing Authority provides safe, decent, affordable housing and economic opportunity free from discrimination. For more information about the repositioning, please visit https://www.pchawa.org/community/section-18.
MacKenzie Scott Gifts $15M to Four Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Affiliates, Part of a $436M Investment in Housing
Puget Sound, Washington (March 22, 2022) — American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted $436 million in unrestricted giving to Habitat for Humanity International and 83 U.S. Habitat affiliate organizations, including four in the Pacific Northwest. The Washington State investment totals $15M and will impact communities in Clallam, Pierce, King, Kittitas and Thurston Counties.
Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties CEO Brett D’Antonio says, “We’re extremely grateful for this investment in Habitat. This historic and generous donation will have an immeasurable, multi-generational impact for families in our communities and our region for many years to come. The gift will expand our resources to maintain housing affordability when building and restoring homes and help fund land acquisition and home construction.”
In a region where the home affordability gap continues to widen—where, according to the National Association of Home Builders, 75% of residents are priced out of homeownership at the current median home sale price—this transformational donation will substantially further Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has equitable access to a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.
South Puget Sound CEO Carly Colgan says, “We are honored and humbled by this unprecedented donation to our organization. This investment will help us increase our capacity and sustainability while growing our commitment to providing climate resilient affordable housing solutions. Ultimately, we will be able to serve more families in Thurston County, changing lives and bettering our community.”
In Washington State, 1 in 7 households are cost-burdened by housing, paying more than 50% of their income for a roof overhead and making it challenging to provide other essentials like groceries and medical care. Philanthropic gifts help Habitat affiliates keep entry-level homeownership a reality in our communities.
Tacoma/Pierce County CEO Maureen Fife says, “To be recognized with a donation from Ms. Scott is truly humbling. Our organization’s staff and board have continually refined and elevated the work, led by vision and strategy, hard labor, and boundless compassion for our community. Our top priorities will be to increase our capacity to effectively provide lasting housing solutions and increased stability for local families and individuals.”
According to the Federal Reserve, the net worth of a homeowner is over 44 times greater than that of a renter; the median net worth of a homeowner is over $230K while the median net worth of a renter is $5,200. Habitat’s mission was founded on homeownership, knowing it is a critical driver to build generational wealth and a leading indicator of strong health and education outcomes.
Clallam County CEO Colleen Robinson says, “As a rural Habitat Affiliate to be recognized with this gift is incredible. The impact of Ms. Scott’s donation to our community will be immediate and the investment will aid in our ongoing work to provide affordable housing to families across our rural communities. Our commitment to meaningful solutions to generational housing issues will be aided immeasurably by this significant gift, and we will use this funding to continue our mandate to build relationships and community through building and repairing homes for the people of Clallam County.”
With the help of volunteers, donors and supporters, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families. This investment in affordable housing from Ms. Scott will greatly impact our region, as the Habitat affiliates in Clallam, Pierce, King, Kittitas, and Thurston Counties work to expand capacity, bringing people together and building a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
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About Habitat for HumanitySeattle-King and Kittitas Counties
Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties is committed to building the region’s quality of life, health, and economic prosperity by producing, preserving, and advocating for affordable homeownership – because homes and families are the foundation of thriving communities. Habitat for Humanity brings people together as volunteers, homeowners, and community members to create strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. To learn more visit www.habitatskc.org.
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
A neighborhood builder since 1985, Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal down payment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Thurston County)
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Founded in 1989, the organization works throughout Thurston County building affordable homes, providing critical home repairs and neighborhood revitalization. Habitat for Humanity provides families with the opportunity to transform their lives, gaining the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build a better future. To learn more, visit www.spshabitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County
Housing is health care! HFH Clallam County has built 36 homes since 1991 partnering with families so their dream of homeownership becomes a reality. We continue to seek opportunities to collaborate with local businesses, churches and other non-profits to serve our community in multiple ways; such as work-force training, home repair program to preserve our aging housing stock and aging in place to assist seniors to stay in their homes safely. Habitat Clallam knows through shelter we empower. To learn more, go to www.habitatclallam.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
Master Builders Raises Walls on a Habitat for Humanity Home
TACOMA, WA (1/19/22)– In January, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County began raising the walls on their sponsored Habitat for Humanity Home in Tacoma’s Fern Hill community. Builder, remodeler, and associate members of the Master Builders are bringing not only a financial contribution to the project, but expertise and in-kind material donations, as well.
“The Master Builders are passionate about building homes. This is what we do and partnering with Habitat to showcase our commitment to our community makes sense,” said Dan Garber, Owner at Redline Services Group, LLC, who is also Master Builders’ 2022 President. “Habitat for Humanity is the standard bearer for creating housing partnerships that achieve greater results than could be achieved alone. We are very proud to be chosen to work with them and provide this home to a deserving family.”
Master Builders members are committed to promoting smart growth and attainable housing throughout Pierce County. Our association seeks to achieve these endeavors through advocacy, building partnerships, and connecting industry members who share common goals. We are excited to add this Habitat Home Sponsorship to the myriad of ways we seek to make a difference in our community.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has been advocating, developing, building and selling affordable homes in Pierce County since 1985. A partnership between Master Builders Association and Tacoma Habitat just makes sense.
“It takes all of us – nonprofits, businesses, government, and individual volunteers and donors to address the affordable housing crisis we’re currently facing,” says Sherrana Kildun, Chief Philanthropy Officer with Tacoma Habitat. “We are thrilled about this partnership. Seeing Master Builder volunteers on the construction site side by side with future homeowners Kevin and Chan this past week was absolutely beautiful. This is why we do this – to change lives and create stability today to ensure a brighter future tomorrow. We need partners like Master Builders to make this happen.”
Both Master Builders and Habitat for Humanity advocate for attainable housing in our communities with local elected leaders. With this partnership build, we invited local elected officials that champion affordable and attainable housing to attend the wall raising.
“We are committed to building and preserving attainable housing in Pierce County,” said County Executive Bruce Dammeier. “We have $100 million in our budget with plans to create a wide variety of housing types and options to serve everyone.”
Habitat for Humanity locally has built, renovated, and sold over 300 homes in Pierce County serving over 2,000 residents. Master Builders and its members, which consist of over 850 businesses and 10,000 employees, are looking forward to the opportunity to help build a home for a local family.
For more information, contact the Master Builders Association of Pierce County at 253-272-2112.
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Celebrating over 75 years, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County is a trade association representing housing and the residential construction industry since 1945. Master Builders is the leading voice for the residential building industry, representing more than 850 builders, remodelers and industry professionals employing over 10,000 people in Pierce County.
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity A neighborhood builder since 1985, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal downpayment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
Habitat for Humanity Names First Emeritus Board Member
TACOMA, WA (10/26/21) –Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity announced the new emeritus status of longtime board member William Lynn, Partner at Gordon Thomas Honeywell.
Since Lynn first joined the board in January 2009, he has completed four three-year terms, holding the office of Board Secretary and working on the Land Use Committee. During Lynn’s tenure, Tacoma/Piece County Habitat for Humanity brought homeownership to over 150 households in Pierce County serving 254 adults and 328 children.
An esteemed leader, Lynn has seen the organization through change and growth, including the move to a permanent affordability model that will launch with Habitat’s next development. Lynn is the first to receive the honorary title of Emeritus Director.
Board President Mark Holcomb said, “From plat approvals, to the creation of homeowners associations, to his specialty with land use and real estate, Bill Lynn has been an integral part of Habitat’s success across the last decade. His leadership, dedication, and merit certainly warrant this special recognition.”
As Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity strengthens its hold as a community resource with permanent affordability, the organization’s leadership aims to preserve the strength and perspective of its history while continuing to strive into the future. The Emeritus Director honor is a selective process and Lynn’s exemplary service as a critical thought-leader and ambassador resulted in a unanimous decision that he be the first awarded this exceptional distinction.
Managing Partner at Gordon Thomas Honeywell LLP, Margaret Archer shared, “We at GTH have known for years about Bill’s incredible generosity and dedication, and his unceasing dedication to the larger community. We are very proud that he is our partner, and pleased that his commitment to the community are being recognized by Habitat.”
CEO Maureen Fife said, “This honor marks Bill’s pivotal role in our organization’s progress. Bill has seen Tacoma Habitat through a number of evolutionary changes, bringing us to a place where the organization is not only sustainable, but has a secure future decades into the future — even as the building industry becomes more challenging and complex. He’s been such a rock, a visionary really. I can’t imagine Habitat without Bill Lynn.”
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About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
A neighborhood builder since 1985, Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal down payment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
TACOMA, WA (December 13, 2019) – Days after Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat experiencedvandalism and theft, the organization announced that the community has set things right.
The crime happened in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 11. When staff reported for work, they found the vehicle pen fence cut and extensive damage to their box trucks including stolen batteries and fuses, cut cables, andcompromised fuel tanks.The trucks are part of the Habitat Stores’ operation, and offer free pick-up of donated goods,which stock thecharitable retailer.
The organization shared the news publicly with a press release, and sought community support on social media. Today, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity took to social media to announce they received donations to cover the needed repairs and to enhance the security of the vehicle pen.
CEO Maureen Fife shares, “We received an outpouring of assistance and encouragement in response to the vandalism. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word. We are especially grateful for the support of Erker’s Auto Repair who immediately got one of our trucks back on the road; to the donors of Greater Tacoma Community Foundation who provided an emergency response grant; and to all the individuals that stepped forward with personal donations. We are honored by the overwhelming community support.”
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity A neighborhood builder since 1985, Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal down payment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Habitat Stores The Habitat Stores (Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup) are home improvement outlets that directly support the construction of affordable homes for families in need though Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. Manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals donate new and gently used home improvement items to the Habitat Stores, which are used in Habitat construction projects or sold to the public at a reduced price.
Washington Legislature to Increase Self-help Homeownership Opportunities
TACOMA, WA (April 29, 2019) – Less than 48 hours before the end of the 2019 Washington legislative session, the legislature passed Senate Bill 5025/1168 to assist non-profit, self-help homeownership developers in their fight to increase affordable housing opportunities.
Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place), sponsor of the companion bill – HB 1168 – said, “Too many of our low and moderate income households are struggling to afford a home to call their own. For them, it’s a nightmare. It is crucial for self-help ownership developers to have the tools they need to help realize the dream of affordable homeownership”
Growing costs of residential construction challenge non-profit developers to respond to the increasing demand for affordable housing. Senate Bill 5025/1168 allows for a significant cost savings on each homeownership unit produced with an exemption for non-profit self-help homeownership facilitators from the real estate excise tax on each new home that they build and transfer to a low-income client.
Noting that this legislation will assist more than 30 non-profit homeownership facilitators across the state, Senator Mona Das (D-Kent), sponsor of SB 5025 said, “These organizations help Washingtonians end the cycle of generational poverty. We have a growing homelessness crisis in our state. And while this bill won’t solve the whole problem, it will help hard-working people own their own homes.”
The significance of this legislation was not lost on Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity CEO Maureen Fife. Who, when alerted of the passage of this legislation, said “This is one of the most significant wins for affordable homeownership in the state of Washington in the last 20 years or more. We look forward to putting this legislation to work and making the dream of affordable homeownership a reality for more members of our community.”
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity A neighborhood builder since 1985, Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal down payment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International Driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Names New Chief Development Officer
Tacoma, WA, (April 25, 2019) – Sherrana Kildun starts work this week as the new Chief Development Officer for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. She joins the senior leadership team at the affiliate and will manage a team of 4 experienced development staff.
For over 14 years, Kildun served in various roles at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, culminating in her most recent position of Director of Donor Services. During her tenure at the Foundation, she designed the Spark Grants and Youth Philanthropy Board programs, worked with families on multi-generational philanthropy, built an ambassador network, educated nonprofits on endowments and planned giving, and developed philanthropic strategies with donors.
Habitat CEO Maureen Fife and her team conducted an extensive search and are excited with their selection in Kildun. Fife says, “I could not be more thrilled to have Sherrana join our team at Habitat for Humanity. Sherrana is well respected in our community and is known for helping donors connect with projects and organizations that align with their passions. At Habitat, she will partner with donors to build stable and safe neighborhoods and keep the dream of entry-level homeownership a reality. We are so fortunate to have her strength, integrity and compassion supporting our mission.”
A native of University Place, Kildun is a graduate of Bellarmine Preparatory High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree focused on English and Communications from Western Washington University. She currently lives in North Tacoma with her husband and two children.
Kildun is excited to join the Habitat team, saying “I believe that affordable housing is the most important issue our community is facing right now, and am honored and humbled to join the fantastic team at Habitat. I look forward to inspiring and rallying donors and volunteers to join me in supporting this unique homeownership model for workforce families.”
CDO Sherrana Kildun (left) with CEO Maureen Fife (right)
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
A neighborhood builder since 1985, Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes in Pierce County, partnering with families in need. As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, Habitat homebuyers make a minimal down payment and contribute sweat equity in building their home, then pay an affordable mortgage. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s and more than 30 women build with families in Tillicum during National Women Build Week
On Saturday May 12, more than 30 women will join Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity for the largest Women’s Build event in recent years.
Tacoma, WA, (May 7, 2018) – This weekend Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s will host the local expression of the annual National Women Build Week where women volunteers and Habitat homeowners will unite to build up their communities and gain skills in home construction.
National Women Build Week encourages women nationwide to devote at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in our local communities. Women have the strength and determination necessary to build Habitat houses, addressing the problem of affordable housing in a concrete way so that families can achieve stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable homes.
This year’s event will be held at the New Tillicum North neighborhood of Lakewood, where Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is constructing seven cottage-style homes. Since 2011, Habitat has built or repaired over 30 homes in Tillicum, bringing new life to this once blighted neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity’s presence in Tillicum has made a difference; the increase in owner-occupied homes has reduced issues of crime in the area, as well as encouraged businesses such as Starbucks to move in. Residents are more actively involved in their community and executed the neighborhood’s first-ever 5K walk and run in September 2017.
“I have been so impressed by Habitat for Humanity and what they’ve done here,” said Lakewood City Council Member John Simpson.
“Since 2002, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has been uniting strong women volunteers of all experience levels in our community to build homes alongside our hardworking Habitat homeowners,” said CEO Maureen Fife. “We are grateful for Lowe’s partnership through Women Build and are excited to kick off the Women Build season.”
In fact, according to a 2018 national study by Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity, more than nine-in-10 American women believe providing and advocating for access to affordable housing for women can benefit society.[1] The survey also found:
Nearly all women (98 percent) agree access to affordable housing helps women heads of household thrive.
Having a safe, stable home is a source of pride (96 percent) that makes women feel more confident (98 percent) and independent (97 percent).
Three-in-five (62 percent) women say they cannot afford to purchase a home that meets their family’s needs in the neighborhood where they want to live.
“Lowe’s is proud to sponsor National Women Build Week to educate, inspire and empower women to volunteer alongside other women in their community to address the critical issue of affordable housing. We know women working together are an unstoppable force for creating meaningful change in our communities,” said Colleen B. Penhall, Lowe’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. “At Lowe’s, we believe that a safe, stable home is an important source of strength, pride and security for families. Together with Habitat, our Lowe’s Heroes volunteers and women nationwide, National Women Build Week will provide valuable support to advance accessible housing in the communities where we all live and work.”
Lowe’s and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity share the vision that every woman, man and child should have a decent place to lay their heads at night. Far too often, low-income families are faced with choosing between paying their housing costs and buying basic necessities like food and medical care to provide for their family. National Women Build Week recruits, educates and inspires women to build, and advocate for decent and affordable houses in their communities alongside their future neighbors—making a difference in their community, one nail at a time.
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and has brought together more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years. This year, Lowe’s donated $2 million to Habitat for Humanity International to support the 2018 National Women Build Week, and provides how-to clinics at stores to help equip women volunteers for the builds. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed over $30 million to Habitat for Humanity International and helped more than 6,500 Habitat families improve their living conditions.
Both women and men of all experience levels can participate by signing up to volunteer or by joining the conversation online. As part of National Women Build Week, Lowe’s and Habitat are activating a social movement to generate conversation about building one another up and sharing the message of women empowerment, positivity and action by using #BuildHer and #WomenBuild.
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is one of over 1,300 local affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International in North America. Since 1985, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with over 275 families in Pierce County to build and own their own homes. Families who partner with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity earn between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Each family contributes 200-500 hours of sweat equity and pays for their home with a mortgage set at no more than 30% of their monthly household income. Partner families also attend classes in financial literacy and asset building, and participate in innovative programs such as Habitat Connects, which provides post-purchase support for new homeowners. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.
[1] The 2018 Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity National Women Build Week Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Toluna from April 5-8, 2018 among a random sample of 1,019 American women age 18+. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ± 3% at a 95% level of confidence.
MultiCare Health System donated four unused properties in Tacoma’s historic Wedge Neighborhood to Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity as part of a project to return the homes to residential use and fund the construction of a new neighborhood across the city.
The not-for-profit health system purchased the four homes as part of expansion plans for its Tacoma campus that never came to fruition. Habitat for Humanity will renovate the houses this year to prepare them for sale. Proceeds will support construction of a new 11-home Habitat for Humanity development in Tacoma.
“Habitat is honored and grateful to accept the gift of these four houses from MultiCare,” says Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. “Through volunteer labor and creative community collaborations, we will rehab and sell these houses. Net proceeds will support the construction of 11 new affordable homes for our homeownership program. This is truly a gift that will launch a neighborhood. On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, I want to express my appreciation for our strong partnership with MultiCare. Together we are working toward our vision where everyone in our community has a safe and affordable place to live.”
MultiCare employees will volunteer their time to assist in the renovation work beginning with a group from MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup in late February.
“Habitat is an outstanding organization dedicated to making sure families have affordable and safe housing. Partnering with them on this project supports MultiCare’s mission of creating a healthy future for our community,” says Bill Robertson, President and CEO of MultiCare Health System “This donation will help launch a community, and have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families who will live there.”
Construction of the new Habitat for Humanity development is scheduled to begin in 2019.
MultiCare Health System is a not-for-profit health care organization with more than 18,000 employees and a comprehensive system of health including numerous primary care, urgent care and specialty services — including Immediate Clinic, MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care and Pulse Heart Institute — MultiCare Medical Associates, Navos Mental Health Solutions, affiliated physicians and a wide range of community outreach programs. Seven hospitals complete our organization: Allenmore Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, Valley Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital — the region’s only children’s hospital and state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for Western Washington — and Tacoma General Hospital, which is home to the region’s only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. MultiCare maintains a close relationship with Habitat for Humanity, frequently providing volunteers for renovation projects as well as sponsoring the 2017 Habitat Challenge.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity in Washington, DC, to oppose proposed federal cuts that would exacerbate affordable housing crisis in the Tacoma, Lakewood, and greater Pierce County community.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity joins over 340 Habitat leaders, homeowners and volunteers in Washington, D.C., to encourage members of Congress to support affordable housing.
Tacoma, WA (February 14, 2018) – Representatives of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity are in Washington, DC, this week, warning that proposed federal cuts will worsen the affordable housing crisis facing Tacoma, Lakewood, the greater Pierce County community and other communities across the United States.
“Too many people in Tacoma and Pierce County are already struggling between making their housing payments and buying food for their family,” said Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, “We are in Washington, DC, to ask our representatives on Capitol Hill to make greater investments in affordable housing, not less.”
The budget proposed by the White House this week would drastically cut—and in some cases entirely eliminate—funding that communities use to finance the development of new affordable homes. Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity uses funding from the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Programs (SHOP) in order to make the dream of affordable homeownership a reality for low and moderate-income families across Pierce County. The White House budget proposal would eliminate those funds entirely.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity joins more than 340 Habitat leaders, volunteers and homeowners from across the country in Washington, DC, this week to advocate for affordable housing. In meetings with Senator Patty Murray, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is calling on Congress to set aside the flawed budget proposal and instead work to prioritize solutions that will end the affordable housing crisis.
“There is no question that we are in an affordable housing crisis,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “More than 18 million families are paying more than half of their paychecks on their housing. Leaders in cities and towns across the country are sounding the alarm, because even middle-class workers like teachers can no longer find housing that fits their budgets. We will make sure those voices are heard in Washington this week as we meet with members of Congress.”
The White House’s proposed budget would also eliminate the AmeriCorps program through the shuttering of the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps is a vital component of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s work to partner with more families working toward homeownership. Thousands of AmeriCorps members have served their communities in a variety of ways, including more than 10,000 members working through Habitat for Humanity, where they have helped build homes and rebuild disaster-stricken areas.
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s vision is to build and foster a community where everyone has a decent, affordable place to live. People in our community, and all over the world, partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit tpc-habitat.org.
Second Use, Inc. and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity Partnership Committed to Affordable Housing
Tacoma, WASH. – March 24, 2017
Second Use, Inc. and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) have joined together in a partnership that is committed to affordable housing, reducing impact on the environment through the use of salvage and thrifting services, and fostering the culture of reusing and recycling.
Anyone can contact Second Use about deconstruction and any salvage can be sold to support Habitat. Consumers can also drop off donations at the Habitat Stores in lieu of consignment. Second Use will retail the salvaged materials, donate half of the sale price to Habitat, and give donors a charitable donation receipt with an itemized list of their donations.
Habitat and Second Use are working together to increase understanding of salvage and thrifting at both Second Use stores and Habitat Stores, and have a shared goal of benefitting the Pierce County community as a whole. Currently, the donated materials received by Second Use equate to an average of about $1,500 in monetary donations to Habitat each month.
ABOUT THE HABITAT STORES
The Habitat Stores are your one-stop home improvement shop open to the entire community, not just Habitat homeowners. By selling new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price, proceeds are used to build more affordable housing in communities. The Tacoma/Pierce County affiliate is currently supported by three Habitat Stores located in Tacoma, Puyallup, and Lakewood. Everyone from homeowners, renters, contractors, property owners, and DIY-ers can find great discounts for their projects while benefitting Habitat’s mission. The stores also offer free donation pickup for anyone that needs assistance.
ABOUT TACOMA/PIERCE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s vision is to build and foster a community where everyone has a decent, affordable place to live. People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.
ABOUT SECOND USE, INC.
As environmental and economic forces continue to impress upon our society the benefits of reducing waste, Second Use envisions salvage and reuse of building materials as an increasingly user-friendly process and a standard component of a construction job. We envision building our capabilities in professional salvage and deconstruction services, and we aim to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for customers. We will do this together with contractors, homeowners, customers and community in the Puget Sound region – those who have been our partners from the beginning. If you elect to donate your materials, they will be sold to benefit local Habitat for Humanity affiliates so they can build more homes for the people that really need them. Last year, Second Use diverted over 10,000 items from the landfill on behalf of Habitat for Humanity and has donated over $2,000,000 since 1997.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity CEO Accepted into International U.S. Council
TACOMA – July 19, 2016
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity CEO, Maureen Fife, has been accepted as an affiliate representative for the U.S. Council for Habitat for Humanity International and will continue as a member of the U.S. Council Advocacy Committee.
The U.S. Council of Habitat for Humanity International was established by the board of directors to serve as the planning and policy recommending body to guide the growth of Habitat for Humanity’s work in the United States.
One of the six U.S. Council committee charters, the Advocacy Committee works to influence public opinion and decision-makers in all sectors to adopt policies and practices and transform systems that lead to the creation and preservation of housing for all, toward the goal of ending poverty worldwide.
“The committee has helped to define Habitat’s first legislative agenda that will be out for review soon to all affiliates to help affiliates find their voice in advocacy to further our mission for affordable housing” said Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. “Habitat as a provider of affordable homeownership opportunities has gone through significant changes in the past 10 years and that doesn’t look to be any different as we move into the next 10 years. There will continue to be changes to our work and our model. Being part of having to navigate those waters is something I look forward to.”
About Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
With God’s grace and the cooperation of people from all walks of life, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity partners with families in need to build and own simple, decent, affordable homes in safe communities. Founded in 1985, Tacoma/Pierce County has built 230 homes in partnership with low income families in need. As a result over 1,000 people now have a simple, decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat is truly “A hand up, not a hand out.” Homes are sold to partner families at no profit and with a 0% interest loan. Habitat families must also commit to working up to 500 “sweat equity” hours on construction of Habitat homes or on other Habitat projects. Each year, over 3,000 volunteers work with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat. Volunteers drive down the cost of construction, making Habitat one of the most affordable housing programs not just in Pierce County, but in the world.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
What’s Your Habitat Story?
Do you have a Habitat experience – a story that will inspire others to join us on the build site or make a gift in support of our mission? Share your good news with us and help ignite the passion for affordable homeownership in others.
Your story can be written or a visual presentation – a photo or series of photos or a video clip. Regardless of the media used, we want to know about your experience and share it with the Habitat community, whether via our social media channels or our blog. Send your story to: media@tpc-habitat.org.
