In the News Archives - Page 17 of 19 - Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties

Thanks to YOU We Surpassed Our Fundraising Goals at the 2021 Beyond the Build!

Posted on June 28, 2021December 21, 2021

Wow – our community stepped up AGAIN to help us surpass last year’s amazing fundraising goals at this year’s Beyond the Build virtual event. We are thrilled to announce that we raised $1.64 million – even more than the record-breaking $1.42 million raised last year.

The June 3^rd event was emceed by Dave Wagner of KIRO 7, and featured a keynote by Matthew Desmond, winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, the 2017 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award, and the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Funds raised will support Habitat’s partner families 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 and homeless crisis. Attendees donating $1,000 or more also gained entrance to an exclusive live VIP reception with Mr. Desmond following the event. View individual presentations, the full hour-long program and the VIP reception here

“Our community has again stepped up with amazing support during an unprecedented time in our region where housing affordability is increasingly unstable and homelessness at crisis levels. It is clear we were able to communicate the urgency of our mission, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with and grateful for this result.”
Brett D’Antonio, Habitat SKC CEO

This year Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King County is celebrating 35 years serving hard-working and deserving families in King County, and while the organization is proud of what it has accomplished, it recognizes the urgency to address an even more significant need in the region. With 200 units in eight projects currently in its development pipeline, the organization has implemented innovative partnerships with private and public entities in order to help meet the need. Projects sites include those in South Park, Lake City, Renton, North and Central Seattle, North Bend and Burien. Additionally, two more will come online soon in West Seattle and Capitol Hill.

Brett added, “We couldn’t have achieved this amazing result without the support of our corporate and foundation partners, that at the platinum and gold levels included Microsoft, Bank of America, HomeStreet Bank, Regence, BECU, Blueprint Capital, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The ROMA Foundation, Lenore Hanauer Foundation, Credit Union Home Mortgage Solutions, FHLB, KLB Construction, The John C. & Karyl Kay Hughes Foundation, Satterberg Foundation, Suskin Foundation, Joshua Green Foundation and the Harnish Foundation.”

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) was honored with its Community Leader of the Year award, and Nancy Williams with its Volunteer of the Year award for serving as the local leader for Habitat’s annual Women Build Week. Nancy has been instrumental in volunteer recruitment, event support, and providing supplies to our build sites. In 2019, she recruited over 40 volunteers to join us at Habitat’s Sammamish site for a Women Build that raised $250,000 for the affiliate.

MBAKS’ partnership with Habitat has spanned 20 years, and incorporates engagement of its employees and members with significant financial support. Former MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims is a valued Habitat Board Member, and Habitat credits MBAKS’ COVID construction toolkit as critical in ensuring that construction was able to continue on Habitat project sites.

Snoqualmie Valley Record: North Bend Depot, Habitat for Humanity receive state funding

Posted on May 21, 2021January 27, 2026

The historic depot will get a new roof, and Habitat for Humanity will receive project funding.

By Aaron Kunkler Friday, May 21, 2021 1:30am

The North Bend Depot and Habitat for Humanity development were among several projects in the Snoqualmie Valley that were funded by the Washington state Legislature this year.

The North Bend Depot received $150,000 in state funding to restore and repair a leaky roof, said Richard Anderson, executive director for the Northwest Railway Museum. While the depot building itself is owned and managed by the city, Anderson was given the go-ahead to advocate for the funding during this year’s Legislative session.

The building was built in 1989 as part of the state’s centennial celebration, marking 100 years since Washington became a state. It was originally constructed with federal money.

Over the years, the building has been used as a community center and has hosted city council meetings and nonprofit groups. But recently it has developed a leaky roof, which should soon be repaired.

“The North Bend Depot wasn’t being used as much, and we feel it’s still a very important part of anchoring historic downtown North Bend,” Anderson said.

The Northwest Railway Museum, which provides train rides through the valley, uses the building as an anchor when the train is running. The museum over the last year also expanded service to run every weekend, and has plans to expand more in the near future.

All three of the Valley’s state legislators signed on to the funding: Reps. Bill Ramos and Lisa Callan and Sen. Mark Mullet.

“We’re just delighted with the support from our representatives and our senator in securing this funding,” Anderson said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for North Bend said the city is pleased to receive state funding to replace the aging roof at the depot. No timeline for the re-roofing has been established, but the city is hoping to begin within the next year.

“The building is an asset to the city and we look forward to finding ways to utilize the community space it provides,” the statement reads.

Also in North Bend, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County received $250,000 for its seven-unit townhouse project, which is expected to be completed next year.

Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County, said the money will fund the last remaining bit of the project. The units will be permanently affordable, with two marketed to families making less than half of the county’s area-median income. The remaining five units will be marketed to those earning 80% of the area-median income.

The funding will help fill in the difference between cost of construction and market-rate housing sales. A covenant agreement will ensure the units will remain affordable.

The project is located at 250 E. 2nd Street, and the Habitat for Humanity received the property in January 2020. It’s the nonprofit’s first development project in North Bend, and applications will be open on June 1 at BuyHabitat.org.

Other major projects were funded in the Snoqualmie Valley this session by the Legislature, including $6.5 million for a septic system in Fall City. The town has for decades had problems in several properties after the state moved buildings during work on the former Sunset Highway.

The long-awaited Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activities Center also received $360,000 to complete the second phase of the youth center. The center has been in the works since a broken pipe shuttered the former building in 2008. The new building has been a labor of love from the community, which donated 10,000 volunteer labor hours, materials and other support. This additional funding will go towards completing an onsite garage and workshop.

Click Here to see the full article and video

Daily Record: HopeSource Spurling Court project is expected to be completed by the end of May

Posted on May 18, 2021January 27, 2026

By RODNEY HARWOOD staff writer

May 10, 2021

The HopeSource Spurling Court project is expected to be completed by the end of May as part of the city’s Affordable Housing plan.

Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the complex at 1204 Rainier St. and expected to finish up the landscaping in the next couple of weeks to complete the first of three projects.

The city’s Affordable Housing Commission has received an application to develop a large scale apartment complex that could tentatively hold 57 units at the Community Garden property on First and Pine.

Stadler Interests managing partner Matthew Stadler’s proposal is to utilize parcels 6al7033 and 937033 at the First and Pine property currently owned by the city.

“As a multi-family developer, it would be a larger scale apartment complex that could tentatively hold 57 units. I have done the surface level numbers to include the prevailing wage in the costs and the lowered rent rates and the project looks like it would financially work,” Stadler said in his application.

“For the leverage part of the financing, a section 221 (d%4) loan would be used and with the resulting higher than average loan to cost amount allowed, the cash amount now free in the AH fund would be enough bridge capital to cover the remaining costs.”

The Affordable Housing Commission recommended the proposal be placed on the city council agenda for council review.

“The only thing (Stadler’s) asking for is the contribution of the land,” Mayor and Affordable Housing Commission chair Bruce Tabb said. “He plans to apply for a HUD loan. We’ve been waiting for someone to come forward with a proposal.

“To be able to construct 57 units. To be able to support a project that will support market need without having to contribute anything but the property is incredibly exciting.”

In December, the city council approved the Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County’s application for up to $765,000 from the city’s Affordable Housing Fund to develop the city-owned property located at 113 W. Bender Road.

According to Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County Director of Development Patrick Sullivan, the project of 18 homes would serve a range of household sizes ranging from one-to-six. All homes will be sold to those making less than 80% of the average median income (AMI), with three of the homes reserved for those making 60% AMI or less.

“The amount of our request is 16% of our total development budget, therefore we are reserving 16% of the units (3 units) for those 60% AMI or less,” Sullivan said. “HFHSKC will use the Habitat land trust to ensure permanent affordability through its 99-year renewable, inheritable lease that includes resale restrictions and a resale formula that allows for equity creation that provides the owner an average of $48,300 in equity creation, based on past land trust resale properties.”

Tabb said that project is ready to move forward after COVID-19-related delays.

“The process are moving forward so we don’t slow the process down,” Tabb said. “They are on track to probably begin in the fall with the major portion of the development to occur next year. They are anticipating a completion date sometime in 2022.”

The Spurling Court project is expected to be complete at the end of May.

Thanks to a $170,000 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce and $30,000 in matching funds from the city of Ellensburg, the affordable housing project Spurling Court will incorporate solar power.

The city council approved the Spurling Court solar project and HopeSource has worked steadily through the pandemic in 2020.

“Across the country, low-income communities rarely benefit from renewable energy projects,” said Andrew Lyons, HopeSource director of operations and manager of the grant. “The Spurling Court project is seeking to change that trend with the installation of a large solar array and by using energy-efficient technology and building supplies in the construction of the project.”

The affordable housing complex will be topped with a 101-kilowatt solar array. The power generated by the panels will offset the energy costs of the Spurling Court community center, with additional utility savings to be shared among residents of the complex.

Click Here to see the full article and video

Habitat SKC in the News: Women Unite for Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Women Build Week 2021’

Posted on May 18, 2021January 27, 2026

Women from across King County are coming together this week to partake in Women Build Week and support Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County. After signing up, participants may choose a date and location to volunteer now through May 8. Activities include a mix of onsite and virtual events. People may register as individuals or build teams from among work colleagues, friends neighbors, faith communities, and family members. (Youth under the age of 16 are unable to participate due to safety considerations.)

Events include:

Better Money Habits Class on Tuesday, May 4, at 6:15 p.m. The Better Money Habits Financial Education Virtual Workshop will provide tips, tools, and resources to help attendees manage their finances and learn more about what to do to prepare to buy their first home. This is sponsored by Bank of America.
Women, Housing and the Impact of COVID-19 panel discussion on Thursday, May 6, at 4 p.m. Join Habitat for a virtual panel conversation showcasing the voices of local female leaders who will discuss how to support women who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This discussion will provide insightful perspectives on how these female leaders navigate the disruptions and changes around them and move forward with resiliency.
Home Preservation Day on Friday, May 7, at 8:45 a.m. Help to preserve and restore homes in the New Holly and Othello neighborhoods of South Seattle. Projects include stair repairs, yard work, pressure washing, minor fence repairs, and more.
Women of Impact Build Community Celebration on Saturday, May 8, at 9 a.m. The culmination of Women Build week will be celebrated by female community leaders and elected officials at Habitat’s La Fortuna site in Renton.

For additional information about Women Build Week in King County, contact Amy Farrier at amy.farrier@habitatskc.org, 206-456-6943 (office) or 202-439-5315 (cell).