Bringing people together and empowering families through shelter, Habitat for Humanity-Spokane invites you to celebrate two home dedications.
[Deer Park, WA]: On Friday, October 22, Habitat for Humanity-Spokane will host their first in-person Home Dedication in over a year to celebrate two families moving into homes they helped to build with their very own hands. The Hope Meadows community in Deer Park is brought to life by hundreds of volunteers and donors each year to witness the transformative power of homeownership as partner families receive the keys to their new, affordable homes.Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. Future homeowners earning below 80% of the area median income demonstrate a need, ability to pay, and a willingness to partner to qualify for a Habitat home. Partnership with Habitat includes contributing at least 250 hours in “sweat equity,” saving for closing costs, and completing homebuyer readiness courses.
“Hope Meadows highlights that no matter who you are or where you come from, a safe and affordable home is critical in reaching your greatest potential,” said Michelle Girardot, CEO of Habitat for Humanity-Spokane. “A decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, success, and health that might have been part of a family’s life for years, if not generations. It contributes to greater economic stability, access to quality education, increased civic and social engagement, better health, and a reduced environmental footprint.”
The first hammer swung in Hope Meadows in 2011, and the neighborhood now consists of 51 Habitat homes built from the ground up by volunteers, donors, and the very people that live there today. The vibrancy of the winding streets and brightly colored twin homes are echoed by the chatter of children in a half-dozen languages, playing and thriving.
Like all Habitat homes, construction in Hope Meadows is fueled by volunteers, donors, and future homeowners. This project is also made possible by the Affordable Housing Program through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, sponsored by Banner Bank. The partnership with the FHLB of Des Moines means more families can access homeownership, and Habitat can do its part to provide quality, energy-efficient homes.
Research has shown a correlation between the stability of homeownership and better test scores in school and improved reading capabilities that increase with the length of ownership. Children of homeowners are 19% more likely to graduate high school and nearly three times more likely to own a home themselves.
Building generational wealth has no better catalyst than owning your own home. With a 120% increase in families enrolled with Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, the need for decent and affordable places to live has never been more significant.
To watch the home dedication celebration online or to join in-person, please RSVP at:
habitat-spokane.org/dedications
To donate, volunteer, and get involved visit habitat-spokane.org or call (509) 534-2552 or email info@habitat-spokane.org
With a little help, we all have the potential to stand on our own.
Habitat for Humanity is a partnership — Habitat homeowners receive financial education, help build their houses and pay an affordable mortgage.
Families that partner with Habitat-Spokane work hard to build a better life for themselves – and their children. Partner families spend 250 hours helping build their own homes and take financial education classes (provided for free by Habitat) where they learn how to improve their credit, pay off debt, and save money. When they have completed all the program requirements, they purchase their Habitat home at an affordable price – mortgage payments are never more than 30% of their income.