Family Story

Habitat Adds New Roof and New Life to Old Home

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After months of searching for help to repair their home, Carlean and Eddie Green finally found the support they needed through Habitat for Humanity SKKC. Their Skyway home, where they have lived for more than 30 years, was in dire need of repair, especially the leaking roof that posed a threat to the entire house. Despite applying to various organizations that provide assistance to older adults, the Greens either didn’t qualify financially or the necessary funding was unavailable. With time running out, Carlean turned to Habitat for help, following a friend’s recommendation.

What set Habitat apart was their approach. Unlike other organizations, Habitat didn’t require the Greens to have money in the bank or be free of credit card debt. The Habitat team got right to work, understanding the urgency of the situation. In just 15 days, they replaced the roof, gutters, and eaves of the 64-year-old ranch-style home. Eddie, who is retired and disabled, praised the Habitat repair team, highlighting their professionalism and efficiency. They promptly addressed any additional issues they encountered during the repairs, keeping the Greens informed throughout the process. Carlean also commended the team for their politeness and respect.

“They (the Habitat team) got right to work,” Carlean said.

The total cost of the repair project, including the brand-new roof, was estimated at $17,000 by Eddie.

“We didn’t have to pay a cent,” Eddie said. 

Thanks to Habitat’s assistance, Carlean can now care for her six-month-old grandson while his mother works, free from the anxiety caused by the deteriorating condition of their home.

If given the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Habitat team, Eddie would offer his heartfelt thanks and a warm hug. For him, Habitat for Humanity is at the top of his list, representing a beacon of hope and a source of immense support in their time of need.

The Greens’ experience with Habitat for Humanity SKKC serves as a powerful testament to the organization’s mission and impact. By providing affordable housing solutions and critical home repairs, Habitat ensures that families like the Greens can continue to live in safe and sustainable homes. Their work goes beyond construction; it builds communities, preserves legacies, and transforms lives.

Habitat’s commitment to serving those in need, regardless of their financial circumstances, is truly commendable. Through their efforts, families can maintain the stability and security they deserve, creating a brighter future for themselves and the generations to come.

Carlean and Eddie Green’s story is a reminder of the profound impact that organizations like Habitat for Humanity have on individuals and communities. Their dedication to providing shelter and restoring homes not only improves living conditions but also instills hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. It is through the unwavering support of organizations like Habitat that dreams are preserved, families are empowered, and communities thrive.

Thank YOU for making the2023 Beyond the Build Luncheon a BIG success!

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Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties welcomed over 750 guests last week at the 2023 Beyond the Build luncheon! And because of our generous donors, we were able to earn the entire Challenge Match, made by our wonderful partners, and raised more than $1.7 million, and counting to combat our region’s affordable housing crisis.

Thank you to those who were able to gather and join us at the new Seattle Convention Center. We loved seeing everyone’s enthusiasm and hope you came away inspired by the shared stories from our Homeowner partners, guest speakers, and Majora Carter the award-winning author of Reclaiming Your Community: You Don’t Have to Move out of Your Neighborhood to Live in a Better One.

Habitat’s Community Leader of the Year, The Seattle Office of Housing, was recognized for their commitment and long-standing support. And Gary Fallon was acknowledged as Habitat’s Volunteer of the Year for his service to our projects.  

We hope everyone who attended the event enjoyed the experience.

On behalf of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas County and all the Habitat Partner Families in our community, thank you for your support!

Check our our event photos here! 

Watch the Community Impact video 

and the Volunteer of the Year video!

Want to get more involved? Sign up to be a volunteer, become an advocate for affordable housing, or shop/donate to one of our Habitat Stores. 

BIG thanks again to all who made Beyond the Build 2023 a success!  

Habitat for Humanity’s Beyond the Build Luncheon: Celebrating a Look Ahead and Honoring Supporters

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We are just a few days away from this year’s Beyond Build Luncheon, which was recently featured on KIRO 7 (click the link). This special occasion serves as a celebration of our achievements, a reflection on the past, and an opportunity to honor and express gratitude to our dedicated supporters. Join us as we gather to commemorate our shared commitment to affordable housing and look ahead to the future of our mission.

Be sure to watch the KIRO 7 clip, which includes an interview with keynote speaker Majora Carter.

Looking Back on Our Journey: The Beyond Build Luncheon allows us to pause and reflect on the incredible journey we have undertaken. Together with our passionate volunteers, generous donors, and resilient homeowners, we have made a significant impact on the communities we serve. This event is a moment to acknowledge the progress we have made in creating affordable housing opportunities and transforming lives.

Honoring Our Supporters: One of the highlights of the Beyond Build Luncheon, as mentioned by KIRO 7, is the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to our supporters. Their unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions have been instrumental in driving our mission forward. From individuals to corporate partners, volunteers, and community organizations, we will take this moment to recognize their commitment to our cause.

A Look Ahead: The Beyond Build Luncheon is not just about celebrating our accomplishments; it also serves as a platform to share our vision for the future. We will discuss our strategic plans, innovative programs, and upcoming projects aimed at further expanding affordable housing opportunities in our region. Together, we can make a difference and create lasting change in the lives of families in need.

Community Impact and Engagement: Throughout the event, featured on KIRO 7, we will showcase inspiring stories of the families we have helped and the transformative power of affordable homeownership. Our speakers will share their personal experiences, shedding light on the profound impact that safe, decent, and affordable housing has on individuals, families, and entire communities.

Join Us at the Beyond Build Luncheon: We invite you to join us at the Beyond Build Luncheon on Thursday (more details in the link). It is an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, engage in meaningful conversations, and be part of a movement that is shaping the future of affordable housing. Your presence and support, alongside KIRO 7, will play a vital role in furthering our mission and making homeownership dreams a reality for deserving families.

As we gather at the Beyond Build Luncheon, we celebrate the milestones we have achieved and express our gratitude to the supporters who have helped us along the way. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future and provide hope and stability to those in need. Join us at this remarkable event, and let’s create lasting change one home at a time.

Click the link for more information.

KING 5: New fee, loans aim to right ‘historic wrong’ of racist covenants in Washington state

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“Owning a home is everybody’s dream,” Habitat SKKC homeowner LeChelle Lucas.

Hear more from Lucas during this KING 5 report on the implementation of HB 1474, which was recently signed into law. This law provides funding from the $100 homebuyer fee, establishing a covenant homeownership account and program to provide down payment and closing-costs assistance to first-time homebuyers who have been affected by the state’s discriminatory housing policies.

Visit the link to watch the full interview.

Tyler Town Welcomes New Habitat Homeowners

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“For me, it’s about realizing the American Dream,” said Marian Hom as she accepted the keys to her new Habitat home at Tyler Town in North Bend. Along with her partner Tim Martin, and six other families, Marian’s dream came true on Saturday, April 15 at the Tyler Town Dedication ceremony. Just 18 months ago, Habitat for Humanity SKKC Board members, staff, and local North Bend officials broke ground at Tyler Town, which Habitat volunteers and the qualifying families then worked together to complete.

In this region where the median home price is $1.2 million, seven families whose dream of homeownership seemed unattainable, moved into their 1,250 sq. ft., three bedrooms, 1.5 bath homes with the promise of long-term financial stability, independence, and equity-building that homeownership provides. This was made possible through the generosity of the late George J. Krsak whose family who donated Tyler Town’s land to Habitat for Humanity three years ago. 

George J. Krsak grew up in the small town of Tyler, WA, outside Spokane, hence the Tyler Town name for Habitat’s development.  He and his wife Rita Horan raised their family on the values of commitment to community. At the Dedication Ceremony, George Krsak’s daughter Mimi reflected on her father’s life as the sixth of seven children in an immigrant farming family. “The people of the town of Tyler helped each other. They birthed their babies at home. They educated their children. They shared what food they had. They cared for the sick and they buried their dead.”

The bequest of the Krsak land has already infused Tyler Town with that spirit of community. Mimi Krsak went on to say “Our family is proud to share our heritage with these seven families. And we wish you joy and the peace that comes with family and neighborly solidarity. Stay together, love and forgive each other. Believe in the best for all as you have been given. Someday it will be your turn to give. May the circle of kinship ever increase.”

Krsak’s wish for the new homeowners in Tyler Town mirrors the hope Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties places into every home it builds. Habitat CEO Brett D’Antonio put it this way, “Tyler Town exemplifies what is possible with a real estate donation. By donating this land, the Krsak family transformed what was once a single-home property into homes for seven families who can now thrive and contribute to this area of high opportunity. A gift of real estate provides tax benefits to the donor, while helping transform the lives of local families with safe, decent, affordable housing.”

In conveying his deep gratitude to the Krsak family, Brett D’Antonio said, “Tyler Town is one of 14 projects Habitat has under construction or in the permitting stage, totaling more than 260 homes, from North Bend, to Burien, in Seattle, Renton, Ellensburg, Bothell, and Bellevue. The pipeline is a mix of family sized homes as well as one- and two-bedroom condos. Habitat staff members are working on several additional projects that will likely be announced by year’s end.”

At the Dedication, Habitat board member and North Bend resident, Jonathan Pearlstein expressed the reality of the work Habitat does, “We all hear and read a lot about the nationwide crisis of lack of affordable homes. We don’t have to travel anywhere to witness it. The crisis is right here in our town. Well, many of you here today have picked up hammers and struck your blows against the crisis right on this very site.”

Along with Pearlstein, the new homeowners were welcomed by North Bend’s mayor Bob McFarland who expressed pride in his community’s support for their new neighbors. U.S. Representative Kim Schrier praised Habitat for its commitment to providing affordable homeownership as “…the key to stability and safety.”

If you are interested in speaking with Habitat for Humanity SKKC about land donation, please contact Chief Development Officer Amy Farrier at amy.farrier@habitatskc.org