Tyler Town, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County’s only current Eastside project located in North Bend, celebrated its launch on Tuesday, September 28 with community leaders, Habitat Homeowners, and elected officials, including City of North Bend Mayor Rob McFarland and State Representative Lisa Callan, District 5. This property, which previously housed only one home, will now give seven hard-working, deserving families a place to live when completed in Summer 2022.
A generous land donation to Habitat from the Estate of George Krsak has forever positively impacted the lives of these families who are now able to achieve affordable homeownership in downtown North Bend. Each home will be 1,250 square feet, with three bedrooms, 1.5 baths; it includes one ADA accessible unit.
“Tyler Town exemplifies what can be done with a real estate donation and the support of the community,” said Brett D’Antonio, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County chief executive officer. “We’re not just building houses; we’re bringing a community together.”
At a time when area real estate prices are soaring and affordable housing is scarce, land donations substantially support Habitat’s efforts to create affordable housing in partnership with low-income families in need of decent, affordable homes. Located in a desirable, high-opportunity area, five of the Tyler Town homes are being purchased by families at 80% of the area median income (AMI) and two others are being purchased by families earning 50% of the AMI. Each family has also put in sweat equity of 250 hours on other Habitat builds, its stores, and/or office.
The catalyst for this opportunity was a private citizen who wanted to give back. The children George Krsak, who have chosen to remain anonymous, described their father as a humble, hardworking man who loved his family and community; they added that the building of Tyler Town would have been a dream to Krsak. Born in 1922 in Tyler, Washington, located outside of Spokane, Krsak’s hometown inspired the name of the North Bend community. He served in the U.S. Army and spent much as a bricklayer at a small company, and volunteer for Friends of the Needy.
One of Krsak’s daughters shared a moving childhood memory, which Habitat’s D’Antonio repeated during the event. From her room, she remembers hearing her father and mother pray each night before bed. And that they would end their prayers by saying: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul.” A good reminder that there’s more to life than riches. And that one person can make a significant difference in the lives of others. “I am sure he is smiling down on this project,” she added. We couldn’t agree more.
Habitat is always grateful for the donation of any type of real estate, as finding affordable land to build on is one of our greatest challenges. We look for land large enough to build at least one single family home. A larger lot, such as the Tyler Town Community, allows Habitat to build multiple housing units, impacting more than one family. When you donate land or property to Habitat for Humanity you are a part of the solution to fighting poverty here in Seattle-King County. All types of real estate donations are greatly appreciated, including vacant lots/land, developed property, homes in need of repair, condemned sites, and commercial/retail/warehouse properties.