If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that housing has become unaffordable for many. This truth makes the work of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity more important than ever. Since 1989, they have helped build affordable homes, trying to keep up as the need has grown greater. Thanks to a $50,000 Boeing Employees Community Fund Grant, they can now do more with the purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra C1500 full-size truck and 2025 Forest River cargo trailer.
“Our construction team is over the moon and glad to have the truck and trailer!” shares Scott Wild, marketing and PR manager for South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
Boeing Employees Community Fund Grant
Generous Boeing employees contribute part of their paycheck to the Boeing Employees Community Fund, which is then used to support local nonprofits in the form of grants, like the one South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity won. The grants seek to help local nonprofits fund programs, items, etc., that have a direct benefit to people.
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity applied for the grant in February 2024 and was awarded the monies for the new truck and trailer in June 2024. The truck and trailer were a new addition to the nonprofit, and something they desperately needed to expand their crucial mission of providing affordable homes to those in the South Sound. “The truck and trailer allow us to transport supplies,” shares Scott. “Recently, it has enabled us to purchase bulk materials and receive large donations.”
New Truck and Trailer Help South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Do More Good
A truck and trailer may seem like a small thing, but to the nonprofit, it’s been the lynchpin to expanding their work. Currently, they have two Thurston County construction sites: the Tâlíčn Townhomes in Tumwater and a Yelm project, which are located approximately 30 miles apart.
The Tâlíčn development, named in partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, meaning “to help” in the Lower Cowlitz Coast Salish language, has four completed townhomes with 10 more in the works. The Yelm development has begun framing for 22 homes. “The development features 28 three- and four-bedroom townhomes,” shares Scott. “Last month, the first four homeowners signed their mortgage documents and got the keys to their homes. The homes feature energy-efficient heating and cooling, modern open-plan kitchens, and new appliances. All households are first-time homebuyers, and each contributed volunteer hours at the construction site and Habitat Stores. We expect more homeowners to move-in over the summer.”
The unnamed Yelm housing development, which broke ground in June 2024, will include three- and four-bedroom homes as well as two-bedroom accessible bungalows.
Scott explains that the truck and trailer has allowed them to easily move materials, tools, people, a cargo trailer that acts as a mobile office, and more between the sites. “Additionally, the full-size truck has allowed for the ability to order cabinets and appliances to store in the warehouse and bring to the site as needed,” he adds. “The trailer as a mobile office makes it easier to have a command center that moves with the team as we have multiple job sites that need oversight.”
Future Habitat for Humanity Development in Olympia
Not slowing down, the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity already has another Thurston County housing development in the works, this one in Olympia. “Our Boulevard development is underway!” shares Scott. “We purchased the 3900 Boulevard property from the City of Olympia in 2023. We plan to subdivide the 10-acre parcel into 28 accessible cottages, 36 micro townhomes, and 48 multi-family townhomes – all permanently affordable housing. The development will include gardens, a park, and a mixed-use structure.”
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is always in need of volunteers to help them build homes, work on home repairs, store programs and more. “Volunteers of any ability are welcome, no experience needed,” Scott adds.
To learn more about helping make homeownership a dream come true, visit the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity website.
Read more Thurston County nonprofit stories here.
Read more Habitat for Humanity news here.
