homeownership

Habitat SKKC featured on Washington & Me

Posted on

“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

Posted on

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. 

temp-toss-5022-MLK1Download

Daily Journal of Commerce: Habitat for Humanity plans 58 Columbia City units

Posted on

As the DJC first reported early last year, Habitat for Humanity was contemplating an affordable housing project on a Columbia City property that had been foreclosed by its lender. And, last summer, that mid-block site at 5022 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. sold for a bit over $1.3 million to a Habitat-related LLC. Kidder Mathews represented the lender and seller.

The new five-story, 58-unit plan by JWArchitects recently had its permit application accepted by the city. No design review is required since it’s an entirely affordable proposal. It also includes six surface parking stalls, to be accessed from a driveway on the building’s south side.

To read the full article, download the PDF below.

temp-toss-5022-MLK1Download

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

Posted on

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. 

2023 Legislative Support list – Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas

Posted on

As you know, Habitat for Humanity believes in a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the next Legislative session in full swing, we would like to let you in on some of the bills HFH SKKC will be supporting that align with our vision!

Remember to:

We can’t wait to see you at the forefront of affordable homeownership advocacy!