Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council Recent Programs

January 8, 2008

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – Mary Martin of Habitat for Humanity East King County shared with us the mission statement of their program, which is that “Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God's love and can live and grow into all that God intends.”

Habitat for Humanity of East King County serves eight communities east of Seattle, building affordable homes for low-income residents and selling them at no profit through interest-free loans.  They are celebrating 20 years of service this year.

Their typical homeowner:

• Earns between 25% and 50% of the median income for the Eastside (generally $11-15 dollars per hour);
• Has lived or worked on the Eastside for at least one year;
• Needs housing;
• Is willing to put in 500 hours of “Sweat Equity” construction work on their home or the home of a Habitat neighbor. This labor is the down payment on their Habitat house.

There is a genuine shortage of affordable housing on the Eastside.  The current median housing price on the Eastside is some $592,000, while the price that Habitat families can generally afford is about $155,000.  Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to build 20 new affordable homes on the Eastside each year.

What can congregations do to help?

• Congregations can pray for Habitat, asking God to be with them, sustain them, and guide them, their families, and their volunteers in the work they do.
• Congregations can solicit volunteers.
• They can donate money.
• And they can help Habitat find buildable land on the Eastside for single family homes and duplexes.

Congregations can also help needy families learn about owning their own home through a partnership with Habitat.  Do you know a family that needs simple, decent, affordable housing?  Can they afford a $750 mortgage payment per month?  Have they lived or worked in East King County of at least one year?  Are they willing to put in 500 hours of “sweat equity” on their home or the home of a neighbor?  Are they looking for a “hand-up,” not a hand-out?  If so, these families are encouraged to contact Cathleen or Emily at 425-869-6007 or www.habitatekc.org.

CLOSING PRAYER:  A closing prayer was offered by Dr. Sally Wing of Grace Lutheran Church.

Submitted by Brian Anderson, Recording Secretary