In the News

KIRO 7: Jimmy Carter being remembered for decades of work with Habitat for Humanity

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Over the weekend, former President Jimmy Carter, an ardent supporter of Habitat for Humanity entered hospice care.

Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford issued the following statement:

“All of us at Habitat for Humanity are lifting up President and Mrs. Carter in prayer as he enters hospice care. We pray for his comfort and for their peace, and that the Carter family experiences the joy of their relationships with each other and with God in this time.”

Local Seattle TV affiliate KIRO 7 interviewed Habitat SKKC Chief Development Officer Amy Farrier who said, “He’s done a number of different projects through that Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter work project, where those were annual builds where thousands of people have come out to be part of that. I think overall, 140,000 volunteers have volunteered with Jimmy and Rosalyn Partner Work Project. And I think when you add it all up, I think they helped over 4,300 families either repair or build their homes.”

Farrier added, “he’s essentially synonymous with Habitat for Humanity.”

To watch the full KIRO 7 TV report, click the link.

The Seattle Times: WA considers new way to address legacy of racist property covenants

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Habitat SKKC homeowner LeChelle Lucas was featured prominently in a Seattle Times article about Washington state lawmakers who are considering a new approach to boosting Black homeownership through financial assistance for people once excluded by racial covenants.

“West Seattle renter LeChelle Lucas hopes the proposal would help people like her.

Lucas, who is Black, always wanted to own a home, but “I just didn’t think homeownership, honestly, was on my horizon,” she said.

She didn’t have the funds for a down payment and couldn’t turn to her family for help. 

A down payment felt like the way to “get in the game,” she said. “Not being able to put money down immediately takes me out.”

Click here to read the full article.

Habitat SKKC featured on Washington & Me

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“A world where everyone has a decent place to live – seems like a pretty basic thing to aim for and yet more and more out of reach for many people of all walks of life. These are the issues we’re talking about and the organization we’re talking about that has this vision is Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King Country.”

This is how Washington & Me host George Blaise opened a recent episode featuring Habitat SKKC CEO Brett D’Antonio and Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donohue.

Visit the link to watch the episode

Habitat SKKC in the Shelter Scoop

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Habitat SKKC’s debt reduction program to meaningfully address the racial homeownership gap was featured in the most recent installment of the Habitat for Humanity Shelter Scoop. View the full newsletter by clicking the link.

In Washington state, about 68% of white households own their homes versus 31% of Black households. The program is designed to help prospective home buyers clear or reduce debts that may be hindering their ability to obtain a mortgage. 

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Seattle Times: Debt payment program aims to help Black families become homeowners

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Want to buy a home? Your to-do list is long — and pricey. Secure a job that pays enough. Build good credit. Line up a down payment. And then, of course, find a house or condo that’s actually in your budget.

But for many homebuyers, financial decisions from years ago add one more barrier during that process: debt.

Too much debt can prevent a prospective homebuyer from getting a mortgage. And in America, that problem doesn’t affect everyone equally.

Black homebuyers are more likely to be denied mortgages than white buyers are, a LendingTree analysis found. Among the factors: Nationwide, Black and Hispanic families have more debt relative to their income and assets than white families do, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. 

Read more on Habitat SKKC’s new effort to pay off up to $50,000 in debt for qualifying homebuyers who plan to buy a Habitat home in The Seattle Times.