AN NUA L I M PA CT RE PORT 20 20
Trudy Soucoup, CEO & Chris Lester,Vice President delivering food boxes at Merritt Manor.
2020 WAS A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR EVERYONE 2020 was a challenging year for everyone. There were so many unusual things which happened that truly left many of our lives spinning. However, one thing that you can depend on to be consistent is Homes First. In 2020 we did not let pandemics, fires, floods, or anything else stop us from
ensuring more low-income people have a safe and affordable home to call their own. It can seem daunting to take on the mission of creating and maintaining homes forever but that is exactly what the founders of Homes First took on back in 1989 when they formed the organization. They could see that affordable rental homes were becoming harder to find even 30 years ago and were determined to do something about it. With help from Olympia Federal Savings and the Federal Home Loan Bank, they purchased, moved, and renovated our first two homes and formed a nonprofit to move forward with our mission. Now, in 2021 with 46 properties, we are serving over 275 people every year. Two hundred seventy five people who have the hardest time finding and retaining a safe, healthy, and affordable home.
- Mary Roberts, Board President packing food and supplies for Merritt Manor. 2 - Homes Fi r st
This work is not done in isolation however. One of the values of Homes First, its staff and Board of Directors is our partnerships. Working collaboratively with other organizations in our community ensures that people living in Homes First homes get the services they need if and when they need them. This allows Homes First to focus on acquiring more homes for more people and allows our partners to focus on the services they provide. It is beneficial for everyone involved. Homes First is also known for being innovative in the ways we partner and the ways we work to improve our tenants lives. In 2020, we partnered to help manage Merritt Manor in Olympia, an 82 unit apartment complex for people whose income is between 6080% of area median income. We also partnered with Community Solar and Puget Sound Energy to start solar paneling our homes and office, and we are a part of the exciting Hummingbird Solar Project. In these ways, we continue to grow the work we do, support the people we serve, and expand the ways the community is being served. These types of projects not only give homes to more
people with a landlord that treats them with respect and dignity but also helps lower our community’s environmental footprint. In 2021, Homes First recognizes the work all former members of our Board of Directors have done to bring us to where we are today and to call out the current Board members who are leading us into the future. These community leaders have made it a priority to use their valuable volunteer hours to support a mission that they feel best serves their community and makes our region a better place for everyone. They invite you to join them in their support by making a financial commitment to Homes First to ensure that this missiondriven housing organization continues to grow to provide more opportunities for our most vulnerable neighbors to have a home they can rely on even in times that are unpredictable. Mary Roberts, Board President Trudy Soucoup, CEO 2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 3
HOMES FIRST STAFF 2020 Trudy Soucoup, CEO Candace Wood, Director of Finance
Jena Embry Loes, Director of Operations Shannon Michlitsch, CFRE Director of Resource Development
Ron Stewart, Property Manager Amy Sewell, Finance Coordinator
Dyana Todd, Tenant Services Navigator Keith Garlinghouse, Maintenance Coordinator
Felly Giorgianni Jr, Maintenance Supervisor Luna, Our loyal office mascot
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MEET OUR NEWEST TENANT Our newest tenant landed at our door in November 2020 through a maze of experiences, determination, hard work, and a little bit of luck. "Sally" came from California a number of years ago, leaving behind domestic violence, being a victim of human trafficking, a less-than-supportive family and multiple addictions. Sally has worked very hard to stay clean and sober, despite more family in this area who are not supportive of her sobriety, and is now 7 1/2 years in recovery. She was lucky enough to have her number drawn for a housing voucher and even luckier to find Homes First. She is beyond content to be in her own home and expresses gratitude and thankfulness for all of the people, organizations and resources who have helped her along the way. "I would be on the street if it were not for Homes First." As a survivor of human trafficking and addiction, Sally is a testament to the resilience and the renewal of the human spirit.
2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 5
VALUES BEGI N AT HOM E RESPECT:
DIGNITY:
EQUITY:
Instead of judging people by their past, stand by them and help them build their future. Treat them with respect and value the work it has taken for them to survive. Show each tenant that they are valued and worthy of being treated well, regardless of their history. When we approach each tenant with a lens to what they need individually to be successful, they can believe that we want the best for them. They will also better understand our expectations and the outcomes.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Life is full of choices. Some are made for us and some we make for ourselves. We encourage tenants to choose to be the creator of their own destiny, seek solutions, and take positive actions so they can find and retain a home. We work to empower people to make life sustaining choices.
PARTNERSHIPS:
Rather than being the answer to all our tenants’ needs, we seek to partner with other groups to ‘share the load’. Community partnerships include the formal and informal community connections, collaborative projects, and relationships that address tenants needs and goals.
COMMUNITY:
Building ongoing long-term relationships with organizations which complement our program and meet the needs of our tenants is a powerful community development strategy. It makes a network of services to make our community stronger.
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TH A NK YO U TO OU R V OLUNT EERS The year 2020 has been a huge challenge for Homes First in terms of volunteers. Our regular volunteers worked for us in the office on a regular basis until Covid protocols were established and we were forced to reduce the number of bodies in the office. Sadly, there’s only been a few work-at-home projects for those folks, and one of our volunteers who loves gardening has done some clean up and planting at the office. Dyana, our Volunteer Coordinator,hears from them frequently, with expressed desire to return to us as soon as possible. She also has a stack of folks who have contacted us on our web page and - Val G. , Volunteer by phone wanting to volunteer that she will be & Donor contacting again once the Covid restrictions are lifted. Dyana had met new volunteer, Haley Rankin, just before the Covid shut down. Haley had expressed a willingness to help with the Tenant Newsletter. Dyana happily handed over the task of gathering details for articles, formatting and finalizing the newsletter to Haley. Within several months, Haley was completely on board with not only doing the graphics and research, but selecting resources and important information to share with our tenants. Haley and Dyana have yet to meet in person again after that first introduction, but Haley has become a part of our team. She recently expressed how much Homes First has come to mean to her even from a distance! Thank you Haley and all of our volunteers for your understanding, assistance and patience through this difficult time! We can’t tell you how much we appreciate your willingness to work with us and the amazing gifts you offer of your time and talent. We miss you! 2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 7
F I NA NC I A L S
2020 INCOME $1,251,907
A
Rental Income - 74% $929,766
B
Events & Fundraising - 16% $200,822
- 10% C Grants $121,319
A
Property Expenses - 53% $659,212
B
Admin Staff - 19% $238,753
C
Reserves for Future Projects - 15% $184,398
2020 EXPENSE $1,251,907
- 11% D Operations $139,828
E
Fundraising - 2% $29,716
Representative only. Not an audited financial statement.
An additional 22 people received homes through Homes First in 2020, bringing our annual number of people served to 277 per year! 8 - Homes Fi r st
LE GA C Y GI VI NG / G IF T S I N WI LLS You can plan to make a gift of cash, stocks, or real property to Homes First and establish a Legacy Gift of property to your community. It is a great way to preserve your values, inspire others around you to give, and forever leave your mark on a community that has been a big part of your life. When you make a donation of real estate to Homes First, you won’t have capital gains exposure because you’re gifting—not selling—the property; this means your charitable gift, and your tax deduction as well, will be maximum.
H E R E ’ S H O W D O N AT I N G A H O M E S TO HOMES FIRST WORKS IN 3 EASY STEPS: 1) TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY We will work with you to gather all the details and documents we’ll need to start the donation process. Call us to get started. 2) WE WILL DO A STANDARD PROPERTY REVIEW Upon the receipt of all documents and information, we will work with Helping Hands of America to run a standard review, including title search, tax and lien search and environmental violations search to determine if we can accept your property as a charitable donation. 3) WE’LL DO THE PAPERWORK AND SEND THE CLOSING DOCUMENTS FOR YOU TO SIGN We’ll ensure the closing documents get to you for signing. Your title company will take care of the deed transfer and recording, notifying all necessary state and municipality authorities to complete the transfer. We will take over all taxes, maintenance and insurance responsibilities, and send you a tax-deductible receipt. 4) SELL YOUR HOME TO HOMES FIRST You can also choose to come to us first when you choose to sell your home. Not only will it save you costs on marketing a home on the open market, it will give Homes First the opportunity to keep another home affordable forever. For more information: Shannon Michlitsch, CFRE developmentdirector@homesfirst.org • 360-236-0920 x250 2020 A n n u a l I m pa c t Rep ort - 9
2 0 20 HIGHL IGHTS COVID RESPONSE: With COVID-19 upon us, Homes First needed to make immediate and systematic changes in operations and program delivery to ensure that we stay safe and respond appropriately. We adopted a stringent COVID-19 policy following all safety protocols to protect our tenants and staff as our housing team continues to work on and off site, taking calls for repairs, responding to tenants’ concerns and needs, and providing support to the families and individuals we serve. In early spring, at the beginning of the COVID emergency, we distributed masks to all our tenants for each member of their household. These masks were donated to us by South Salish Mighty Masks. Right at a critical time in the pandemic, when we didn’t know what was ahead of us to protect staff and tenants, we were grateful to be able to be proactive in ensuring - Felly & Keith on the our tenants’ safety. job, 6 feet apart
V ISION
Vibrant communities where everyone has a safe and healthy home they can afford, so that they have hope for a better future. 1 0 - Homes Fi r st
SOLAR PA N E L S : Homes First is excited to join a group of local organizations invested in the Hummingbird Community Solar project at Hands on Children’s Museum. This donor supported investment will provide funding to Homes First for many years into the future and provide clean energy. It has also been a goal to solar panel our own properties and that is coming to fruition via a partnership with Community Solar and a Puget Sound Energy Grant. Two homes received panels in 2020 and at least two more are planned for 2021. Additionally, Homes First’s is partnering with Community Solar and Puget Sound Energy to install solar panels on the roofs of many of the 46 properties in the Homes First portfolio. The first
two panels are being installed with help from a grant from PSE. Homes First will apply for other local and statewide funds to continue to fulfill their dream of not only providing safe and healthy homes everyone can afford but to also reduce energy costs and protect the environment. The installation of the first panels, will significantly reduce pollution, and bring long-term energy cost savings to two shared Homes First homes for adults with developmental disabilities.
MIS SION
Homes First creates and maintains safe, healthy, affordable rental homes for those who need them most. 2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 1 1
2 0 20 HIGHL IGHTS MERRITT MANOR: In addition to partnering to manage tenant needs and maintenance at Merritt Manor, an 82 unit workforce housing project in Olympia, we worked with The Moore Wright Group to provide much needed food basics to the Merritt Manor and Homes First tenants. On June 25th through a partnership with Farm to Families, we distributed 80 Baskets of food at Merritt Manor.
The baskets were distributed to both Homes First and Merritt Manor tenants in a COVID safe delivery model in their parking lot. It was an all staff effort supported by key volunteers as well.
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CHEF K H U R S H I DA : In September community member Chef Khurshida, now a Homes First Board member, donated meals to our tenants. Tenants signed up on our website and then picked them up in our office parking lot for a COVID safe delivery. Through this effort we were able to provide hot meals to about 40 of our tenants!
B L A C K L I V E S M AT T E R : Supporting Black Lives Matter is a focus of our current work. People of color are disproportionately impacted by the housing affordability crisis—an alarming trend that threatens the fate and wellbeing of the nation’s emerging majority, and indeed, the nation’s very prosperity. At Homes First we envision fostering diverse and inclusive communities that people are proud to live in and be a part of in their neighborhood. A key driving question as we move forward in our mission is: How can we best work to address systemic inequities in housing resulting from historic oppression of red-lining and official discriminatory housing practices that have plagued our communities and removed equal opportunity for generations. 2020 A n n u a l I m pa c t Rep ort - 13
D ONORS With much gratitude, we want to give a heart-felt thanks for your support: David Addicott
Jane Brody
Dusti Demarest
Kathryn Akeah
Judith Broverman
Douglas Allen
Marilyn Bucsko
Sandy DiBernardo
Jay Allen
Mary Jo and Henry Burns
Richard Allen Judith Anderegg and David Pelto Larry and Kari Arlint Melanie Bakala Andrea Ballard Adria Banks Kathy Baros Friedt Jessica Bateman Bruce Batson Lois Beck David and Kathleen Bellefeuille-Rice Stacie Belman Kim Bennett Jennifer Benway Patricia Bergman Jane Beyer Susan Bieker Dennis Bloom Larry Blume Theresa Bobzien Herinckx Ivy Bower Bob and Sally Brennand 14 - Homes Fi r st
Victoria Byerly Kay Caromile David Caudill Craig Chance Ramiro Chavez
Rebecca Glasgow
Beth Doglio and Eddy Cates
Shannon Glenn
Barb Dorcy Lee and Beth Doyle Susan Dubuisson
Lori Christmas Annie Clay
Mette Earlywine
Cece Clynch
Anna Easton
Stephanie Condon
Jena Embry Loes
Nancy Connery
Sheila Fay
Thomasina Cooper Kenneth and Esther Corcoran Bill Course Mike Cousino Carolyn Cox Linda Crabtree Alice Curtis Leatta Dahlhoff
Clark Gilman
John Doan
Lorena and Harmon Eaton
Jim Cooper
Valerie and Gery Gerst
Amy Evans Gail Feagins Daya Fields Fred Finn Ann Flannigan Don and Margaret Foran
Kevin Gordham Jeannine and Ronald Granberg Kelly Green Evelyn Greenberg Trish Gregory Robert Grey Jeannie Gruber Karen Hall Shy-Anne Haney Cheryl Hanks and Selden Hall Jennifer Hansons Elizabeth and Richard Hauser Dirk and Dixie Havlak Leah Hawtin
Amanda Ford
Bob Heck
Russell Fox
Tonya Hennen and Bill Reiswig
Holly and James Gadbaw
Matt Herinckx
Jeff Gadman
Susan Hettinger
Christine Garst
Maureen Hill
Myra Davis
Paul Gamble and Jeri Van Dyk
Woody Hill
Allison Dellwo
Anne Gernhardt
Marcia David Barb Davis
Elizabeth Hines Michele Horaney
D ONORS Brian Hovis
Judy Kennedy
Amy Lautz
Kelsey Hulse
Mark and Marie Kitabayashi
Kevin Lautz
Cameron Hunt Matt and Sarah Beth Huot John Hutchings Trudi Inslee Jacquelyn Jacobs Peggy and Jay Jamerson Christina Janis Cathy and Eric Johnson Amal Joury
Suzanne Klenk Keith and Susan Klovee-Smith Peter and Nancy Kmet Paul Knox
Scott Lautz Marcy LaViollette Patrick and Marilyn LaViollette David Lehnis
Laurie Kresl
Jim and Emily Lengenfelder
Jon and Karen Kooiker
James and Patricia Leonard
Thea LaCross
Chris Lester
Barb and Lief Lantz
Yoshiko Lindemeier Bron and Tuula Lindgren Daniel Livingston Daniel and Paula Lowe Thomas Luetkehans Leslie Lynam Thomas and Barbara Malone Michael Mason Beth May Mike McCormick
“We have a tenant who has lived here since 2013. Every month when she pays rent, she includes a personal note thanking the team at Homes First. She was extremely happy and grateful for the garden beds in her yard and has shared her vegetables with staff and her neighbors.We are grateful we can serve our tenants in this way.” - 1/26/2021 RS.
2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 15
D ONORS Barbara Rudolph Lillian and Douglas Ryan Robert and Elizabeth Schafer Anna Schlecht Charlie Schneider Suzy and Herbie Sewell Joe Shorin Don Sloma Lisa Smith Peri Smith R. Peggy Smith Diane Sokolik Cleve and Marty Pinnix
- Baby G, happy Homes First tenant
Trudy Soucoup Kevin Sparks
Mary Anne and Dudley Pitchford
Michael Steadman
Sandra J Nelson
Paige Porter
Joyce Steckler
William and Rachel Newmann
Joanne Prado
Cathy Stewart
Cynthia Pratt
Chuck Stewart
John Oliver
Kathy Randich
Melanie Stidham
Shana Osmer
Haley Rankin
Leslie Owen
Tim Ransom
Stephanie Stocker
Shannon Michlitsch
Marianne Partlow
Jack and Donna Rice
Alan and Jane MountjoyVenning
Gene and Emily Peters
Dallas Roberts
Michael and Theresa Murphy
Nate Peters
Ann Rockway
Sandra Peters
Aaron Rodriguez
Lori Peterson
Jeannine Roe
Drew Phillips
Karen and Joel Romanelli
Robert McKenzie Sullivan Racardo McLaughlin S. Tye Menser Michelle Mewhinney-Angel
Peter Murray Kai Neizman
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Ken Pekola
Miguel Pineda
Mary Roberts
Eileen Swarthout Gary and Carrie Swindler Anya Tabb John Taylor Evette Temple Billy Thomas Heidi and Tony Usibelli
D ONORS Karen Valenzuela Ann Vandeman Robin Vazquez Karen Verner Beverly Vincent Mike and Nancy Walsh Corinne Watts Diane Weeden
Dan and Mary Weiss Maureen Wells
Suzanne Wilson
Trevor Zandell
Sue Wise
Cyndi and Jerome Zechmann
Gail and Steven Wish
Danielle Westbrook
Corinn Wohl
Barbara Whitlow
Christiane Wollaston-Joury
Joellen and David Wilhelm Fran Williams
Kenneth and Ann Yeo
Mimi Williams
Kim Young
Darren and Julie Zemanek Elizabeth Zita
Every effort has been made to list everyone who has donated, sponsored, volunteered and gave in-kind. If we have missed your name or made an error, please let us know at developmentdirector@homesfirst.org.
FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS Aiken and Sanders Inc., PS Amazon Smile American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation Artesian Rumble Arkestra Association of Washington Cities Combined Fund Drive The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound First United Methodist Church Haggen Foundation Heffernan Foundation
Heritage Bank
Puget Sound Energy
Andrew BarkisHometown Property Management
South Sound Solar
Kroger Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Stormans Inc. Studio West Dance Booster Club Target
Network for Good
Thurston County Economic Development Council
Nisqually Indian Tribe
Thurston County Title
Nonprofits Insurance Alliance
TIAA Finance Solutions
MOD Pizza
Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation Olympia Unitaritan Universalist Congregation
United Way of Stanislaus County Walmart Washington Federal Foundation
Port Blakely 2020 A n n u a l I m pa c t Rep ort - 17
SPONSORS Cabinets by Trivonna CoHo Team Windermere Columbia Bank Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation Heritage Bank Lucky Eagle Casino Olympia Federal Savings Prime Locations, Inc. Providence Health & Services
IN-KIND DONORS
Timberland Bank South Puget Sound Carpenters, Local 129 South Puget Sound Community College South Puget Sound Community College Foundation TwinStar Credit Union WSECU Windermere Real Estate/Olympia
Annette Meyer Creative 24 Video Diane Weeden Haggen
Raven's Brew Coffee
Khurshida Begum
Salish Mighty Masks
Olympia Community Solar
Target
Olympia Kiwanis International Phillips Burgess PLLC
The Moore Wright Group Thurston Talk Trader Joe's
Want to be a sponsor? Email us at sponsor@homesfirst.org
P ROUD M EM BERS OF:
WA Landlords Association
1 8 - Hom es Fi r st
Quiltmakers of Olympia
HOW YO U C A N HEL P CONTRIBUTIONS Annual Pledge with Auto Monthly Pay Check/Cash Online Giving Gifts in Wills Workplace Giving
Combined Fund Drive Bequests Memorials Stock Property Give Local
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Heroes for Housing Breakfast Landscape Support Advisory Committees Tabling at Events/Outreach Administrative Support Social Media Storytellers Painting Support All Trades needed to help turn properties into homes
D O N AT E SUPPLIES/ TOOLS 12” Chop saw Finish Nail Gun(s) Skill Saw 10” Portable Table Saw Storage Sheds
Want to support our work? donate@homesfirst.org
“It’s been 2 years and I still love it! It’s so nice and warm in here.” - Homes First Tenants 2020 A n n u a l I m pa c t Rep ort - 19
YOU HAV E T HE P O WE R TO C H A NG E L I VES HOST AN OPENING DOORS PROGRAM Invite your colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, or faith group friends to a one-hour presentation of the Homes First Mission. The presentation can be held at your place of work or worship, your home, a coffee shop or restaurant or at the Homes First office.This is NOT a fundraiser and we do NOT ask for money but is our way to have the community know us better.
MEMBER OF A CLUB OR CIVIC GROUP? Connect us with them and we would be happy to speak at one of their meetings to share our mission and community impact.
C O N TA C T Shannon Michlitsch to select a convenient date for you. 360.915.8176 developmentdirector@homesfirst.org 2 0 - Homes Fi r st
8TH ANNUAL
WEDNSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 Virtual Program: 8:00 - 8:30 A.M. P RE SE NT ED BY
P RE MI ER SP ONSO RS PA RT NE R S PONS ORS
More Information: HomesFirst.org/Heroes 2020 A n n ua l I m pa c t Rep ort - 2 1
BOA RD OF DI R ECTORS President, Mary Roberts
Secretary, Thomasina Cooper
Vice President, Chris Lester
Khurshida Begum
Data Abstractor, WA State Dept. of Health Joined 2018
Executive Assistant to Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser Joined 2019
Shannon Glenn
Outreach Manager, Thurston/Lewis Counties PSE. Joined 2020
Dannette Molina
Community Development Manager, Thurston County Title Joined 2017
Public Speaker, Chef, Owner – ASHHO.org Joined 2020
Talent Development Specialists, ResCare Youth Career Services Joined 2019
Ken Pekola
Treasurer, Kai Neizman
Leatta Dahlhoff
Toxics Reduction Specialist, WA Department of Ecology/& Council Member, Tumwater City Council Joined 2018
VP Loan Review, Columbia Bank Joined 2017
Senior VP of Business Loans, Olympia Federal Savings Joined 2020
Nate Peters
Annual Giving Manager, St. Martin’s University Joined 2018
Jeannine Roe Broker, Greene Realty Group Joined 2018
Wayne Souza
Retired, Construction/ Property Management Joined 2020
Hallee Starborn Staff, Home Depot Joined 2015
Evette Temple
VP, Commercial Business Banking, US Bank Joined 2020
Luna, the office mascot 22 - Homes Fi r st
Celebration & HEROES for HOUSING
Awards
WA STATE GOVERNOR’S MANSION
Thursday, OCTOBER 21, 2021
at
5pm
Help Us Celebrate Our Real Community Heroes!
By invit ation only !
C O N TA C T Homes First | 5203 Lacey Blvd.SE, Ste. A, Lacey, WA 98503 360.915.8176 | celebrate@homesfirst.org 2020 A n n u a l I m pa c t Rep ort - 23
5203 Lacey Blvd. SE, Ste. A, Lacey, WA 98503