For many families in our area, home ownership feels nearly impossible. On top of that, finding a safe and stable option to call home is a real challenge.Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, there’s an option for qualifying families willing to roll up their sleeves to make the dream of home ownership a reality.
Families who qualify for the Habitat for Humanity program are guaranteed a mortgage that won’t exceed 30 percent of their income; bringing to life the company’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live – a world full of hope.
With 312 homes under their belt, Habitat has been generating stability and independence in Spokane County for 32 years. Their homes are special for many reasons, including sustainable energy efficiency measures which allow for average combined energy costs of just $400 per year. What’s most impressive about these homes is that each is the result of approximately 1,400 hours of volunteerism.
On February 15, members of Avista’s Electric Shop teamed up to extend their compassion at a project in Deer Park. When asked why the team was participating in a build, Electric Shop manager, Brad McNamara, shared his team’s vision statement, describing a commitment to create an environment of employee involvement that inspires creativity, responsibility, safety, personal accountability and integrity, family and community. A Habitat build couldn’t be a better fit for this team, so they completed a week of training and donated their talents to the Hope Meadows neighborhood.
Habitat communities aren’t beautiful just because they are new; they’re beautiful because of the love, camaraderie and pride that builds them. According to Lydia Duffy, Habitat-Spokane’s Chief Development Officer, Hope Meadows is extra special because its residents have all helped build each other’s homes.
Currently, about eight to ten homes are completed every 12 months – all thanks to volunteers. In the coming year, their goal is to double these numbers. With the human power of groups like the Electric Shop, who were able to complete within mere hours what should have taken a day and a half, this goal could become reality.
“Next time, we’ll be sure to tell them that we can do electrical work, too,” said Brad.
If you would like to volunteer on a build project, visit habitat-spokane.org for more information.
McNamara’s group, like many Avista employees, enjoy being able to volunteer in the community. In addition to matching employee cash donations up to $200, Avista supports and encourages employee volunteerism, as evidenced by an average of 40,000 hours contributed each year in the communities in which we live and work.