It’s hardly a secret that living in a well-organized, clutter-free home is good for our mental health. One 2019 study found that “an overabundance of possessions that collectively create chaotic and disorderly living spaces” has a “negative impact” on one’s psychological health.
It’s also no surprise that a lot of us live in houses with a definite overabundance of possessions.
The good news is that when you find yourself surrounded by too much stuff, there are free services in the Seattle area that can help get those belongings out of your home — and out of your life.
“I’m constantly downsizing, figuring out ways to get rid of stuff,” says Jacqueline Noles, who lives in Seattle’s Pinehurst neighborhood. She says keeping her home’s clutter at bay “keeps anxiety to a minimum.”
“Once you don’t have all that stuff anymore, it is so freeing,” Noles says. “It’s incredible.”
Here are a few ways you can get rid of those possessions that have overstayed their welcome.
Sandra Browne is a single, 83-year-old woman whose grandfather was an enslaved person from the Deep South. In 1884, after slavery had legally ended in America, her grandfather moved to the Seattle area to escape racism and discrimination, and to search for better opportunities for his family and himself. Ever since, the family has lived and thrived in Skyway, a neighborhood nestled between Renton and Tukwila.
As age and weather began to take its toll on Sandra’s home, she reached out to Habitat’s Repair Program for assistance when she noticed her roof was leaking. Habitat worked with a roofer to replace her roof, repair water damage, and install new fascia and downspouts. Inside her home, Habitat also repaired the ceiling in her bedroom where the roof had leaked. There were many nights before the home repair where Sandra found herself so worried about her bedroom roof caving in from water leaks—which was a valid concern—that she slept in other parts of her home.
The repairs to her home have given Sandra more pride in her dwelling, as well as a sense of security and safety. She said it meant a lot to have her roof repaired, so she could go back to sleeping in her bedroom, where she feels the most comfortable.
Being able to sleep in one’s own bed should be a nonissue. For many homeowners, however, especially low-to-moderate income homeowners and older adults, critical repairs just like Sandra’s can go unfulfilled. Having the right partner resources is a critical link. Habitat’s Home Repair Program works with homeowners who need assistance with critical repairs that will ease health and safety issues and increase their quality of life in the home. The program helps keep low- and moderate- income homeowners not just safely in their primary residence, but also in the community they know and love.
With more than 155 volunteer shifts across 19 different group volunteer days, along with significant financial contributions, Bank of America has earned Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County’s 2022 Community Leader of the Year award. Bank of America volunteers have been instrumental at Habitat builds, repair sites and in Habitat stores throughout the region since 1995, displaying exceptional personal and corporate commitment to our shared vision of decent and affordable housing for everyone.
In presenting the Award at this year’s ‘Beyond the Build’ luncheon at Seattle Convention Center on June 2, Habitat Board President Kat Sims recognized Bank of America’s long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, including cash and property donations topping $75 million. “Bank of America sets the gold standard for what it means to be a Habitat corporate partner,” said Sims as she welcomed Bank of America Seattle Market President Kerri Schroeder to the luncheon stage.
Through direct action and investment, Bank of America is focused on creating opportunities in the areas of health, jobs training, small business support and affordable housing, as these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.
Most recently, a Bank of America employee team showed up on our Habitat site in North Bend on May 25 to work with Habitat homeowners, construction staff and AmeriCorps volunteers on the soon-to-be Tyler Town Community’s home exteriors, installing Hardie lap siding. They added interior framing walls to the interiors and helped with painting and window installation. This team just keeps on adding hours to Bank of America’s already exceptional contributions to Habitat and prospective homeowners!
After accepting the award at the BTB Luncheon, Kerri Schroeder reiterated the corporation’s goals, “As Bank of America continues in our commitment to responsible growth in the communities we serve, we seek out partners that build pathways to economic mobility and stability. Habitat for Humanity has been one of those steadfast partners for decades, so we’re deeply honored by this recognition as we continue to work together to find solutions that expand safe and stable housing here in King County and beyond.”
Habitat for Humanity Seattle—King & Kittitas Counties is heading into one of its largest fundraising weeks with its “Beyond the Build luncheon” — sponsored by KIRO 7 — coming up next week.
The group has hit some major milestones this year. KIRO 7 reporter Ranji Sinha spoke with Debbie Waters, who said the group’s work isn’t just about building from the ground up, it’s also working to keep people in their homes.
“I didn’t realize that they did the repair work.”
Habitat Home Repairs recipient Debbie Waters, who said she had lived with a rickety staircase for years.
Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties returned to the Seattle Convention Center on Thursday, June 2 to host our annual fundraising luncheon Beyond the Build – held in person for the first time in two years. And, we are thrilled to report that it raised more than $1.7M to combat our region’s affordable housing crisis!
Emceed by KIRO7 anchor and reporter Aaron Wright and attended by more than 600 people, it featured keynote speaker Jessica Bruder, award-winning author of Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. Bruder illustrated the clear connection between Habitat’s mission and the people portrayed in her novel and Oscar-winning film – specifically its Repairs Program, which helps to keep people housed and allows seniors to Age in Place.
Habitat Board President Kat Sims presented Bank of America with the Community Leader of the Year award. Habitat SKC’s partnership with Bank of America has spanned 25 years and incorporates engagement of its employees with significant financial support. In presenting the award, Sims said: “As a long-standing partner, Bank of America sets the gold standard for what it means to be a Habitat corporate partner. Since 1995, in King County alone, Bank of America has donated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and filled more than 155 volunteer shifts across 19 different group volunteer days.”
Kerri Schroeder, Seattle Market President, Bank of America who accepted the award stated: “Habitat for Humanity has been one of those steadfast partners for decades, so we’re deeply honored by this recognition as we continue to work together to find solutions that expand safe and stable housing here in King County and beyond.”
Bank of America’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity International dates from the early years of the Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Work Project and has continued to grow. Today, Bank of America’s contributions to Habitat for Humanity International total $75 million of support, with more than $55 million in cash and property donations.
Habitat’s Volunteer of the Year award went to Steve Hill for his service on the Weyerhaeuser Alumni Campaign. Steve led a group of eight retired Weyerhaeuser Company executives on a campaign to sponsor a “Habitat House a Year,” which resulted in pledges from 94 former colleagues who committed $1.18 million over five years to two Habitat affiliates. The funds Steve and his colleagues collected will provide housing for ten families over five years.
Additionally, luncheon guests heard directly from Habitat Partner Families about how their donations have made a direct impact on their lives and futures. Habitat CEO Brett D’Antonio declared this year’s Beyond the Build luncheon a resounding success, both for the generosity of those who attended and for the profound insights provided by keynote speaker Jessica Bruder.
