Standing outside his family’s future home near Tumwater, Logan Merriweather took a moment to reflect on the work he and others have put into South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s first-ever Veterans Build project.
His home is one of 28 townhomes being developed for veterans, active-duty military members and their families by the nonprofit organization. When finished, it will feature 3- and 4-bedroom energy-efficient townhomes and a playground. The community is called Tâlíčn, a Cowlitz word for “to help.”
“It’s a fun build, it’s a lot of hard work, but also you get a little bit emotional,” Merriweather said. “Every nail that somebody drives, that’s a wall that your kid is going to be playing on or writing on, or the stairs they’re going to be running up and down. It’s a magical experience.”
The building project is at 1150 73rd Avenue in Tumwater. Three of the homes, including Merriweather’s, are expected to be finished soon. The rest will be phased in over time. The project is in partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
According to Habitat’s website, Veterans Build offers veterans and active-duty service members an opportunity to come together with other community members to help with a housing project. The nonprofit invited volunteers to work at the site Nov. 14-16.
Local Habitat CEO Elizabeth Walker said her organization works with veterans and active-duty service members to ultimately purchase a home they helped build. Homeowners put in volunteer hours and participate in extensive education programming, and Habitat works with local lending partners to ensure folks are able to purchase a home and never pay more than 30% of their income toward their mortgage.
She said there’s a huge gap in the Thurston County housing market between what folks can afford and what housing costs. She said Habitat is focused on helping those who make between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Walker said a number of professions in the region pay in that range, including teachers, restaurant staff, hospital personnel and more.
Walker said Habitat is planning to expand its housing footprint to help lessen the need in Thurston County. She said they’re taking a step to expand their housing contribution by 500% over the next five years compared to the last five years.
There’s a number of projects being undertaken by Habitat right now. In addition to this project, Habitat is building a 22-townhome and senior cottage development in Yelm, and a 112-unit development in Olympia that will feature a mix of family townhomes, micro-townhomes, senior cottages and community spaces.
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