Fall Newsletter 2022

Fall

SOUTH PUGET SOUND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEPTEMBER 2022

welcomeletter

CARLY COLGAN CHEIF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Happy Fall! For me, new seasons bring about a time of both reflection and forward motion. At Habitat for Humanity, we have much to reflect on and be thankful for over the past few months as well as exciting things in our future Our team is working with The Athena Group on a Volunteer Program Refresh that is sure to make our volunteer experience topnotch. Tâlícn is about to break ground, the Yelm and Boulevard Projects are in the concept design and planning phase and our Critical Home Repair Program is hard at work preserving homes in our community. With more than 160 permanently affordable homes in our construction pipeline we know that we can’t do it alone. You are an important part of the affordable housing solution in our community and we hope that you will join us on November 3rd for the Raise the Roof Breakfast. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear about our work and the impact that having a safe, stable home can provide for a family, I hope to see you there. With Gratitude, Carly

criticalhomerepair

PHOTOGRAPHER BRIANNA SHEAHAN OF MOSSFLOOR PHOTOGRAPHY

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity builds and preserves affordable housing. While our organization is best known for building new homes, we also work with existing homeowners on essential home repair projects so they can continue living in safe and affordable homes for many years to come.

Erin is a single, stay at home mom to her 5-year-old daughter. Erin purchased her home in Thurston County because she wanted a place for her daughter to grow up and make memories. “Getting out of our tiny apartment, and getting a real home for her to play outside was so important to me ”

In February of 2021, Erin was having her electrical panel replaced due to it being a fire hazard. That same day she stopped having running water. After several plumbers came out and could not pin point the issue. Erin submitted an application with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity for assistance, and our team showed up the next day. “It was just nice to have someone trying to help me figure this out You know, because I am on my own here. I don’t have any family locally, didn’t really know anyone. Being in communication with Zac (CHR manager) all of the time, I cried on the phone to him several times.”

The repairs to the home have given Erin and her daughter a new sense of security and safety. She said, “I will never take running water for granted again.”

“In the middle of winter, living without water was awful, a nightmare.” Erin got a gym membership for her and her daughter to take showers. She couldn’t wash clothes or dishes, and they had to go outside to use the restroom. “We were camping at home basically for six months.” Erin said “Everything was a challenge. I was depressed and anxious and feeling helpless. I am still recovering from it.” She says “I worked so hard to achieve this Home is where I am with her and where we are making our memories. And that’s what this is to us. I desperately wanted to be able to stay here, to be able to fix this. In the beginning I thought we may just have to sell it and leave because I can’t take this on by myself.”

A new 2500 gallon water storage tank with a 2hp booster pump on a gravel pad was installed to increase water flow and extend the pump life on Erin's property. A new electrical panel and wiring were also installed.

We asked Erin how her experience was working with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity She says “AMAZING! They’re all so nice! They didn’t make me feel bad And just everyone was so kind. I will never forget them and I will be eternally grateful.” Erin said, “Because of this program, we are able to keep our home, stay here and have water!”

Having clean running water should be a nonissue. For many homeowners, critical repairs just like Erins can go unfulfilled Having the right partner resource is a critical link. South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s Critical 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 their home. The program helps keep homeowners not just safely in their primary residence, but also in the community they know and love.

Learn more about our Critical Home Repair program here: https://www.spshabitat.org/what we do/critical home repair/

BUILDING PATHWAYS

blvd. projectcommunityevent

We held our first community meeting to share about our vision and next steps for the development at 3900 Boulevard Road. We want to say THANK YOU to everyone that attended. You brought your ideas, support, and concerns for this project. We heard you, and we are so excited to continue this adventure with you.

We would also like to send a big GREAT JOB to the City of Olympia - Government, and the Artisans Group Architecture + Planning for your great presentations And thank you Olympia Regional Learning Academy for having us in your space.

If you would like to know when our next community meeting will be make sure you are following us on Facebook & Instagram.

Let us know if you have any questions about the meeting: Info@spshabitat org

AdvocacyAlert

Thurston County COVID-19 Recovery Fund Survey

Thurston County is currently running a survey on how best to use COVID-19 recovery funds. HELP US ADVOCATE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Taking the survey is quick and easy - drag and drop the different categories into your budget with the projects you want the most at the top. Join us in telling Thurston County that affordable housing is a priority in our community. Once you put your projects in order it will ask you: Do you have other ideas of high-priority projects for the Thurston County ARPA Recovery Fund? This is a great place to let the Board of County Commissioners know that you value Affordable Homeownership! This survey is open until October 28th - please share it far and wide.

Disaster preparedness for households

Disasters can strike at any moment, with little notice. In order to protect your home and family, it is important to be prepared.

Habitat Ready helps households make a family preparedness plan, put together a supply kit and be ready to respond to common hazards in their community. Our resources include additional information and advice on being prepared for disasters and hazards that may arise in our community.

HabitatReady

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DISASTER PREPARDNESS PLANS.