Accelerated collaboration project hits half-way mark! Wednesday, August 21 at 10:00 AM
SPOKANE, Wash. – As weekly and daily headlines report skyrocketing increases in rent and a lack of affordable housing, a group of Spokane builders have come together to support Habitat for Humanity-Spokane’s efforts to build decent affordable homes. Dozens of local contractors led by Viking Homes and Spokane Home Builders Association are stepping up to support Habitat’s efforts during Home Builders Blitz. The accelerated build project is at the half-way point, with the goal to deliver a fully finished home at no cost to Habitat by September 27, 2019.
“We knew that Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz would be incredible to participate in, but watching the camaraderie take place between our partners and the teamwork they’ve displayed to get the project done in an accelerated timeframe, is truly rewarding,” Ryan Olsen, owner of Viking Homes said. “This has been a really special experience for us and we couldn’t be more honored and proud.”
The community is invited to a Hard Hat Tour of the home in the Hope Meadows community in Deer Park on August 21.
“It’s the busiest time of year for builders and contractors, yet dozens of local companies are making time to support this project and affordable homeownership in our community,” said Habitat-Spokane’s Chief Operations Officer Eric Lyons. “The progress we’ve made on this home wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA) and lead builder on the project Viking Homes.”
Today, 1-in-4 renters in Spokane County are paying more than half of their income on a place to live. This leaves many families severely cost burdened, forcing them to make impossible choices. With limited rental and buying options in the current housing market, a Habitat home can be the perfect solution for hard-working, low-income families and individuals willing to partner with Habitat.
Chris Dixon from Gold Seal Mechanical a SHBA member is just one of many contractors supporting Home Builders Blitz. “The stability of a home provides better opportunities for families, plus there is nothing like being a part of changing someone’s life,” said Dixon.
On January 17, 2019 Viking Homes and SHBA announced they would sponsor and build a Habitat for Humanity home. Construction on this unique home-build project began on July 8, 2019. A low-income family who has completed Habitat’s Homeownership Program will purchase the finished home paying no more than 30% of their monthly income toward their mortgage payments. Sales of Habitat homes to qualified homebuyers go back into a revolving fund to build more Habitat homes.
The Hard Hat Tour of the Home Builders Blitz home will begin at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 21 and include testimony from future Habitat homeowner Janessa and remarks from Viking Homes owner Ryan Olsen, SHBA Executive Officer Joel White and Habitat for Humanity CDO Lydia Duffy.
Habitat-Spokane would like to recognize all partners who have committed to support Home Builders Blitz as of kickoff: Air Design, Arrow Kitchen and Bath, Audette Flooring, Band Construction, Builders First Choice, C&K Roofing, Cascade Cleaning, Cascade Rain Gutters, Champion Concrete Pumping and Conveying, Colors Inc., Copper River, Cruiz Construction, D&S Carpentry, Dew Drop Landscaping, Eagle Insulation, Fred’s Appliances, Gold Seal Plumbing, Henderson Drywall, Homestyles Lighting, Interstate Concrete and Asphalt, Millionis Custom Homes, Nation Serve Garage Door, Parr Lumber, PlyGem, Provident Electric, Quinn Ad Agency, Specialty Insulation, Spokane Home Builders Association, Stoneway Supply, The Truss Co., Thomas Plumbing, Viking Homes, Wausau.
If you are interested in being a part of Home Builders Blitz or would like to learn more, visit: https://habitat-spokane.org/hbb/