Habitat for Humanity and Vision House – Working together for families in need

Volunteers work at Jacob's Well. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers from Seattle are working on the Jacob's Well, Vision House, site in Shoreline to build transitional housing for families in need.

On Tuesday, April 12, nearly 20 Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff will work at Jacob’s Well on one of several scheduled days to assist in framing one of the two buildings that will become apartments for 20 homeless families, a licensed child care center, after school care program, laundry facility, crisis counseling offices and a community center.

This special day is an example of housing agencies working together during this challenging economy to meet the growing need for affordable housing.

Jacob’s Well, a supportive housing complex, broke ground in spring 2010. Vision House builds its facilities debt-free on a pay-as-you-go model and is engaging the faith community and welcoming organizations like Habitat for Humanity to join their community and support the construction with staff and volunteer support.

The work of Habitat for Humanity and Vision House is an example of the range of housing needs. Vision House provides supportive, transitional housing for families to move beyond poverty and homelessness. Habitat for Humanity works with low-income households, many of which have experienced homelessness and supportive transitional housing, on their path out of poverty as they work toward homeownership.

Volunteers at Jacob's Well. Photo by Steven H. Robinson.

Vision House and Habitat for Humanity are both welcoming many volunteers from the decimated construction industry who are willing to step forward and offer their time and skills from working on job sites to managing building projects. These activities offer opportunities to engage their skills while giving back to their communities.

To volunteer, go to the NoHomelessKids website.

About Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County

Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization that develops housing in partnership with hardworking, low-income families. Founded in 1976, we are dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County, one of 2,000 affiliates worldwide, has built, renovated or repaired nearly 200 homes in the greater Seattle area, providing simple decent housing for 300 adults and over 500 children. Partner families earn 25 percent to 60 percent of the median annual income for King County, receive no profit, no-interest mortgages and their payments are returned to a fund to build more homes. For more information visit Seattle-Habitat.

About Vision House

Vision House provides transitional housing, child care and support services to homeless mothers and their children, and separately to men recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Since Vision House began in 1990, more than 700 homeless children, women and men have received housing and support services to assist them in achieving independence and self sufficiency.

Vision House owns and operates four transitional housing facilities and a child care center in south King County, Washington. In spring 2010, Vision House broke ground in Shoreline on a housing complex for homeless children and mothers. When the two-phase project is complete, the Vision House Jacob’s Well facility will include 20 housing units, a child care center, counseling offices and program space. For more information visit NoHomelessKids.