Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County is readying for its annual fundraising event this week, Beyond the Build – which this year is going virtual in response to the state’s Stay Home guidance. Featuring a keynote by former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin and Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner, funds raised will support its partner families and applicants who have been negatively affected by COVID-19, and ensure the ability for Habitat to continue to move forward with an ambitious agenda to provide solutions to the Puget Sound region’s affordable housing crisis.
Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County plans to build or preserve 400 homes on its way to serving 1,000 total families in King County over the next five years. In addition to the recent ground breaking of its Lake City Townhome project, its first community within Seattle’s city limits in six years, Habitat will break ground this year on three other projects – in Loyal Heights, South Park and Renton.
The organization will also continue to develop the biggest home construction project in the history of the affiliate — 52 Habitat homes as part of the Fort Lawton redevelopment project in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle.
During the luncheon, Habitat will recognize HomeStreet Bank with its Community Leader of the Year award, and Nicki Gates with its Volunteer of the Year award for dedicating more than 3,300 hours in building or repairing homes in at least 12 different communities throughout King County during her time with Habitat.
HomeStreet Bank’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County has spanned over 20 years and incorporates engagement of its employees with significant financial support. HomeStreet Bank has committed more than $260,000 to Habitat. The company has given substantial time as well, providing over 200 volunteers who contributed well over 1000 volunteer hours. This includes not just building homes but providing Board leadership, facilitating Federal Home Loan Bank payments, providing financial education to Habitat’s AmeriCorps volunteers, and even tallying donations after the annual luncheon.
HomeStreet Bank has been instrumental in the building of a number of Habitat homes including the recent Sammamish Project. The award will be accepted by Darrell van Amen, EVP and Chief Investment Officer for HomeStreet Bank, who also serves on Habitat’s Board of Directors.
Said Brett D’Antonio, Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County CEO, “We are excited by the opportunity ‘going virtual’ provides, given the ability to significantly broaden the number of attendees. We appreciate Doug and Matthew’s flexibility and willingness to reschedule their in-person participation to this new date and format, and are honored to recognize HomeStreet Bank and Nicki Gates for their unwavering commitment to our cause. We are extremely grateful and committed to ensuring that all funds raised are put toward the best possible use during these challenging times.”