Those who drove past the construction site on 73rd Avenue Southeast in Tumwater or Coates Avenue Northwest in Yelm last week were greeted with a somewhat uncommon sight: women-dominated construction teams building affordable homes.
Women Build, a volunteer event put on by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, invites women to learn construction skills while they help build homes for Habitat for Humanity homebuyers.
Over two weeks, May 6-9 and May 13-15, four teams of 32 volunteers helped build homes for a Habitat for Humanity development in Tumwater called Tâlíčn, which means “to help” in the language of the Coast Salish people.
When completed, the development will have 28 three- and four-bedroom energy efficient homes for affordable homeownership.
The volunteers moved to Yelm on May 16 for a day building at the new 22-home Mill Crossing development, which will also be available for affordable homeownership.
Volunteers and the prospective homeowners, who are required to put in 200 hours of “sweat equity” as part of Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homebuying program, are out at the build sites regularly throughout the year, with build events like Women Build helping to supplement their work.
“It's just a neat thing to see all these women come out here and learn and work and do something they believe in,” said Tina Davis, a Women Build volunteer, South Puget Sound Habitat For Humanity board member and Peak Credit Union employee.
Davis and Peak Credit Union have been participating in South Puget Sound Habitat For Humanity’s Women Build events for the last decade.
Davis herself has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity build projects since she was 15.
“It just really hit home watching these families work so hard to build a home, so they can build a family, a neighborhood, and really be a community,” Davis said.
Those buying their homes through Habitat for Humanity help build their own homes, in addition to taking classes to help prepare themselves for homeownership.
Habitat for Humanity’s homebuying program is open to individuals and families who make between 50% and 80% of the area’s median income and have not owned a home in the last three years. The program’s goal is to create affordable homeownership opportunities for those who need it.
Single women, particularly single moms, are among those who can benefit from the program, according to Habitat for Humanity.
“Women Build, it highlights inequities in homeownership that women, especially single mothers, face,” said Scott Wild of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
In a news release about Women Build, the organization cited census data from 2022 showing that only 34% of single mothers own their homes, compared to 79% of married couples.
“There’s sort of a major equity gap between single women households and all other households, and so it’s a way of just rallying the community together, and also fundraising,” Sound said.
This month's Women Build event was estimated to raise more than $85,000 to fund the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity mission, according to a news release.
“Women Build is an amazing event that brings inspired women together from across the community. Last year, Women Build volunteers and sponsors raised over $100,000 to support affordable homeownership. This year, with experienced volunteer fundraisers, we think participants will raise even more to support our mission.” Elizabeth Walker, CEO of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, said in a prepared statement.
Local companies led the way with sponsorship and volunteers, and several local restaurants donated lunch to the hardworking women.
Sponsors included Peak Credit Union; Olympia Federal Savings; Navigate Financial, Harbor Foods; Forma Construction; Swire Coca-Cola; Lucky Eagle Casino; Our Community Credit Union; Johnson, Stone & Pagona, P.S.; and BECU.
Over the next four years, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity will build 148 new homes in the region. The organization’s programs include advancing homeownership, home repair and accessibility improvements, homeowner and public education, and donation-driven stores in Olympia and Yelm.
As South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity grows to meet the demand for affordable housing, the organization is seeking volunteers to help out at construction sites, at its Yelm and Olympia stores, and at its office year-round.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit spshabit.org/volunteer
To learn more about South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s homebuying program, visit https://www.spshabitat.org/what-we-do/homeownership/
