Before 
After
Two Habitat families will celebrate the transformation of becoming homeowners in West Central.
[Spokane, WA] On Tuesday, November 9th, at 4:00 pm, Habitat for Humanity-Spokane will welcome two new owners to their newly rehabilitated homes in the West Central Neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity acquired the “zombie” homes through the City of Spokane receivership. The units have been a part of the Derelict Housing Acquisition and Homeownership program, a partnership between the City of Spokane and Habitat for Humanity to revitalize neighborhoods and increase homeownership opportunities for those experiencing low incomes.Funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Habitat and its partners have focused on acquiring units in neighborhoods at the highest risk for displacement, gentrification, and lack of affordable homeownership opportunities. By partnering with the City of Spokane to identify possible acquisitions, Habitat for Humanity could leverage its volunteer base, sponsors, and homebuyer readiness activities to breathe new life into these homes while creating access to homeownership. Those leveraged activities also ensure the homes are affordable at purchase and remain affordable for generations.
“Programs like CDBG are crucial to creating a sustainable future for Spokane by building more affordable homeownership opportunities. Every revitalized ‘zombie’ home, completed with robust partnerships, promises to be an affordable homeownership option now and forever,” says Michelle Girardot, CEO of Habitat for Humanity-Spokane. “Shared equity homeownership programs and the revitalization of abandoned properties like these have a direct correlation on positive job creation while creating thriving mixed-income neighborhoods.”
According to the Federal Reserve, just one abandoned property in Spokane diminishes over $60,000 in value from nearby properties. Still, the financial burden doesn’t end there: Derelict units in Spokane represent a municipal expenditure in excess of $2M every year as the responsibility of cleaning, marketing, or even demolishing these properties falls onto the city and taxpayer, further depressing these areas and Spokane as a whole.
While the work to rehab blighted properties in Spokane is powerful to witness, the transformation during a future Habitat homeowner’s journey to homeownership is even more so. Habitat for Humanity seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The partnership requirements for qualified homebuyer families earning 80% below the area median income are rigorous but ensure each homebuyer is more than prepared to be a successful homeowner.
At this home dedication in West Central, supporters of Habitat for Humanity-Spokane will come together to witness two families unlock strength, stability, and self-reliance through the keys to their new future.
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
Rachel & Ike are getting the keys to their affordable Habitat home on November 9, 2021 in West Central Spokane.
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.