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Habitat SKKC Supports Legacy Communities with Repairs and More

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Residents of Habitat for Humanity SKKC’s Walker Townhomes community were ecstatic to see Habitat volunteers arrive to help them with their repairs work party June 1st.  The community, finished in 1997, has been managed by a self-governing Homeowners Association (HOA) since the first Habitat homeowners moved in 28 years ago. The volunteer work party that arrived to help Walker Townhome residents is part of a pilot program Habitat initiated this year as part of its Community Associations group. 

Led by Community Associations Program Manager, Karissa Johnson, the pilot program is aimed at helping to ensure that Habitat’s Legacy Communities (those that pre-date Habitat’s land trust/ground lease, are in HOA’s and are more than 10 years old) continue to grow, thrive and become lasting permanently affordable housing for generations to come. As Karissa says, “The lessons learned can be readily applied to Habitat’s new builds allowing those communities to benefit from the wisdom of those who came before to make them even more successful from the start.”

Twelve HOA communities, totaling about 190 homes qualify as Legacy communities.  With housing and insurance costs rising dramatically, many HOA’s are short of funding to keep their properties appropriately maintained, a problem that restricts mortgage funding options. Habitat’s pilot program for Legacy communities is designed to support Habitat’s HOA’s in meeting the requirements for lenders to approve standard mortgages when homes are up for resale. In its pilot, Habitat joined forces with the Walker Townhomes HOA to conduct property repairs the HOA didn’t have the resources to cover or complete.

The program’s approach is comprehensive and specific at once. Each community or individual homeowner in the program will receive help tailored to their status.  For example, one property received deck repairs under forgivable liens, one has been plugged into the PSE retrofit grants for lighting, another is getting a free exterior inspection, and a community meeting to better educate everyone about their HOA so they may become more involved with their Board. 

The Legacy Communities program is aligned with Habitat SKKC’s current emphasis on building communities. At the Walker Townhomes work party, brand-new owner, Logan, who had lived there for fewer than 48 hours, came out to meet his neighbors and help. He joined Mr. Nguyen, an original owner, who brought out his photo album with hundreds of pictures of his neighbors working together to build their units with Habitat back in the late 90s. 

Program Manager Karissa has big plans, “I hope, in the long-term, that the program will bring our Legacy properties into Habitat’s permanently affordable housing portfolio, increase our relationship with our owners and the greater community, as well as impact decisions we make in new builds.” Eventually, the Legacy Communities program can enrich the long-standing HOA’s and ensure the HOA’s for new projects are strong, funded, supported and educated to be the best possible community experience for our partner families and every generation to come. 

For More information on Legacy Communities, please contact Karissa Johnson at Karissa.johnson@habitatskc.org. 

KING 5: ‘Women Build’ May 4 Seattle event: ‘Every child, person and family deserves a safe and stable home’

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Our Resource Development Volunteer of the Year award recipient, Linda Hoffner, appeared on KING5 Weekend Morning to promote our annual Women Build event. Linda has been such a wonderful contributor to Women Build over the years. We are so thankful for her support and everyone else who makes this such a great event each year.

Learn more about Women Build.

Habitat Celebrates 17 Years of Women Building for Women

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This year’s Women Build program will offer multiple points of participation for individuals, friendship teams, and women from area organizations to fund projects, build affordable homes, and revitalize neighborhoods.  From April 27 to May 18, area women will be empowered  to help move Habitat’s mission forward by doing everything from working in Habitat stores to joining construction and repair teams on site.  

The purpose of Women Build is to honor the central role that women play to empower one another, make an impact, and change lives. The bonus for participants is to learn and share skills, support local women homeowners, and to build up King County, together.

In the program’s 17 years, women from all walks of life have given back to their communities and enriched their own lives while making a real difference in the lives of our region’s hard-working, low-income families. Women Build volunteers are empowered to help ensure affordable housing continues to be built. This program gives women the satisfaction that comes with giving hands-up help to other women and their families.  

This year’s co-sponsor for Women Build is Prime Electric, inspired by Lisa K who participated in past Women Build events, “I have been telling everyone that my experience on the Habitat for Humanity Women Build far exceeded my expectations and was

truly one of the most empowering experiences of my life! Truly.”

April 27 – May 18, 2024

  • Women of Impact Build: May 4
  • Group Builds: April 29 – May 11
  • Individual Builds: May 13-18

(Individual volunteers will be asked to donate $150 to take part in a Women Build day)

To sign up individually or for your organization, go to  Habitat Women Build.

To take advantage of corporate sponsorship opportunities, get in touch with alex.wyatt@habitatskc.org

Habitat Repairs Bring Health and Safety to a Federal Way Couple

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Love brought Annama Joseph to the United States from India 34 years ago.  She came here to marry Varghese, a U.S. veteran and fellow Indian immigrant.  They lived happily in their Federal Way home for 20 years and raised two daughters there.  But, as their fortunes changed, they struggled financially.  

Annama was seriously injured in her job as a nursing assistant when a violent patient kicked her in the face and neck.  The injuries were so severe, she was rendered unable to work and has been receiving a disability pension since 2015.  At about the same time, her husband Varghese was declared disabled due to a neurological disorder.  Their income plummeted, making home maintenance a low priority.

For years they had undetectable leaks in their bathroom that caused mold to grow in the house.  Both Annama and Vhalise suffered regular respiratory illnesses.  In addition, the insulation in their attic and crawlspace had disintegrated causing their utility bills to be extraordinarily high. Despite assessments by several professionals, the sources of their problems were not detected until a Habitat repairs crew got inside their home.

“In about one month,” Annama says, “the Habitat people finished all the repairs.”

The couple received a completely new bathroom, including added grab bars and a new shower door.  The mold was eradicated, and so were their respiratory problems.  Outside, the crew replaced the corroded gutters and the rotting deck. 

Insulation was added to the attic and crawlspace, too.  “Our utility bill is 50% lower now than it was before the repairs,” Annama declares. She adds that the bill has remained low through the winter, even though her pain requires extra warmth. “My disability is progressing, so it’s important that I stay warm.”

She raves about the Habitat crew. “They did a very, very good job. And they are very nice people. They helped us so much. They are great people, all very special in my life.”

If you know someone in need of critical repairs in your community, please visit: Home Repairs – Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties (habitatskc.org)

2024 Beyond the Build Breaks Records

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This year’s Beyond the Build Luncheon was beyond successful, thanks to the 1,400 plus attendees who donated more than $2 Million to tackle the affordable housing crisis in our region. And thanks to our special guest Seahawks Legend, Bobby Wagner. Not only did Bobby charm and entertain the many fans in attendance but set the philanthropy bar high with his own outstanding giving record. 

Each dollar raised at the luncheon will go directly toward funding vital housing, creating tangible and lasting change in the lives of those we serve. Luncheon attendees learned firsthand from Habitat homeowners and home repairs recipients just how powerful a stable home can be. These include stories of how careers were made possible and educational goals were achieved, how improved living situations resulted in better health outcomes, and how families were made whole for generations.

Luminaries from the Habitat SKKC community shared the stage with Bobby as they were recognized for their outsized feats in support of our mission to provide affordable housing for everyone. 

Habitat’s Community Leader of the Year honoree, Amazon, was recognized for their commitment and support of affordable housing in our region. Mike O’Leary was recognized as our Volunteer of the Year, Linda Hoffner as our Resource Development Volunteer of the Year, LeChelle Lucas as our Advocacy Volunteer of the Year, Mikhail Popko Nikolayovich as our Repairs Volunteer of the Year, and Lorraine Yerger as our Manny Weiser Volunteer Service Award Recipient. 

This year’s Habitat SKKC Beyond the Build luncheon brought new committed donors and fresh energy to every element of our battle to assure that everyone has a safe place to live.  

Click here for event photos 

Click here to watch Habitat’s Community Impact video.