HTS and Habitat Establish Agreement

There is a new partnership in Skagit County to address affordable housing.

On Monday, the 23rd of January, the executive directors of Home Trust of Skagit and Skagit Habitat for Humanity met to sign the formal documents as partners in developing housing in LaConner. The partnership goes into effect immediately, and plans are set to begin construction on a duplex in Channel Cove (formerly knows as Southfield) in April. The agreement provides for the two agencies to build five housing units together in the next two years. Habitat has already selected two families for the duplex units, and they are eager to be building "sweat equity" on their own home.

While Skagit HFH has been building in Skagit County since 1994, and will complete their 25th house in March 2012, Home Trust of Skagit is a relatively new agency. HTS grew out of a grassroots movement in Anacortes and within Skagit County Community Action Agency, and became a separate, distinct non-profit organization in September 2011. Home Trust of Skagit just placed its first homeowner this past December. 

Teresa Pugh, Interim Executive Director of SHFH, stated, "With the help of many people in the past working on this project, we are excited to move forward and begin building in April. This partnership supports Habitat's mission to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. We look forward to the future". 

HTS will own the land in Channel Cove and hold it in trust forever. This removes the land from the future housing price swings. The home owners will own the actual abode and will be able to realize appreciation in value over the coming years if they decide to sell. The home owners are selected by Habitat during its application and screening process, and will comply with Habitat's established procedures to acquire and pay for the home. This arrangement should work well for both parties. It solves the biggest problem for Habitat--the acquisition of buildable lots--and HTS benefits by partnering with a well-established developer of affordable housing in the county. 

As Dave Malsed, Executive Director of HTS put it, "The partnership of HTS and Habitat is going to allow both organizations to better use the expertise of each organization and leverage the scarce money that is available for affordable housing, thereby creating more opportunities for homebuyers in Skagit County." 

It should be a "win-win".

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Skagit Habitat for Humanity has a need:

We are seeking a small automatic pickup truck (V6 or 4-cylinder) to be used for transporting construction materials.

Please stop by The Store, located at 1022 Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon, or call 360-428-9402 if you would like to donate one.

Remember, your donation is fully tax deductible!

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We are currently working in Sedro-Woolley on Polte Road.  Go to VolunteerUp for specifics on what we are doing, and to sign up to work.

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The Skagit Habitat for Humanity Store is open for business from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday, and donations are only accepted during business hours before 5:30 PM.  The Store address is 1022 Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon.  Click on the link below to find the location of the store.

Map to location of the new Skagit Habitat for Humanity Store