03/17/2009: "9 New Homes & 8 More Coming Soon"

( Board of Directors president Mary Stone, at awarding of keys ceremony)

On Friday (3-13-09) a standing room only crowd took part in the presentation of keys to nine new home owners of the Park Plaza development in Friday Harbor.

The new owners took part in the Homes For Islanders (HOI) program that helps qualified applicants to build their own homes, with help, advice and training by HOI staff and volunteers.

The Self Help program requires each of the applicants to work at least 35 hours per week as well as maintain their full time jobs and maintain their families. The project also provided work for the construction industry and other related businesses.

Homes for Islanders believe in using local contractors and suppliers, thus providing an economic boost to the community. Stone said “approximately 95% of the sub-contracts and supplies are purchased locally.”

Mary Stone, president of the Board of Directors for Homes for Islanders, listed the accomplishments of the Park Plaza project:

“A 30% improvement in the construction schedule over the last two developments.
Over 70% of the work was accomplished by the homeowners (four new births during the construction -so it wasn’t all work!);excellent workmanship of the finished home; Community volunteers were increased by 20% over the last two developments, and established close friendships and community with each other that will last for years.”

Stone explained the history of the project: “One year ago nine residents of San Juan Island started building their own homes here in Friday Harbor. Today they are going to receive their keys allowing them to move into their homes this weekend. By the way, these families set a new record for Homes for Islanders, improving the best construction schedule to date by two months.

The strength of the program is not only based on the homeowner’s efforts but relies heavily on the generosity of the community at large who work many volunteer hours. The total hours worked by the homeowners amounted to 12,000 hours in a 12 month period. In addition, volunteers provided approx. 7,000 hours during the same time and this averaged over 800 hours per home.

The new home owners are: Brandon Baney; Amber Garcia; Leila Maamari; Susan Ross; Lorin & Mikayla Geiser; Christine Gabler; Michael & Charlene McEwen; Manuel Magna -Fuentes, and David Tobon & Bianca Benavides -Stone explained that “David could not be here because he is in Iraq serving in the Armed Forces . We want to especially thank the community volunteers who worked relentlessly to ensure David’s hours were covered.”

25 homes have been completed, now Homes for Islanders will start the development of eight homes on Orcas Island known as Woodlands Estates.

The new project will be eight homes; all to be completed in one year.

(Homes for Islanders is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that works in partnership with many organizations to provided funding sources to these new homeowners. These funding sources include USDA Rural Development, Community Frameworks (Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Program); Federal Home Loan Bank through Islander’s Bank (Home Start Program) ; Housing Trust Fund (a state funding program) and the Town of Friday Harbor, (Affordable Housing for All Funds). All of these funds are made available allowing the group to build their homes utilizing the Self Help Construction program - better known to some as sweat equity.)