Volume 2 Issue 2 - Saratoga Community Housing

Saratoga Passages
Volume 2, Issue 2
JUNE 30, 2009
S A R AT O G A C O M M U N I T Y H O U S I N G
GROWING AFFORDABLE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Call to service is answered by Islanders… Habitat for Humanity homes are built with helping hands
Our First Lady,
Michelle Obama,
has put forth a
national call for
volunteer service.
Her goal is to
make a real dif- Above: HFH Home #20 in
the Northgate Terrace
ference and to
encourage more neighborhood of Oak Harbor.
At right, Homeowner Laurie
Americans to
participate in a Butler helps the volunteers
with interior walls
tradition of lifelong service, making a greater difference down the road.
buyer with a volunteer “family partner” who helps move the
process along.
With the daily struggles confronting so
many local families, it's especially important for us to reach
out to one another and offer a helping hand. Contributing
our time is one of the most valuable ways we can help.
We’re proud to work
in partnership with HFH Above: Lila & kids breaking ground for home
Below: friends and family join the celebration
to provide long term
affordable housing for
our lower income Island
residents. Habitat builds
the homes and SCH
holds the land in trust
forever. This is how we
keep the homes affordable forever.
The second home in the works is for Lila Browne and
her two children. Lila is thrilled to be able to buy/build a
house in the place she loves to call home. They have a
huge extended family here on
Whidbey and Lila is grateful her
kids will grow up close to them.
If you would like to answer the
“call to service” and pitch in to help
with either house or with future
HFH projects please go to:
www.islandcountyhabitat.org
and click on “Volunteer.”
Habitat for Humanity of Island County also has a goal...
to build 10 houses per year here on Whidbey Island. They
are currently working on two homes. The first, (pictured
above) is nearly finished thanks to the crew of volunteers
who have been working since March to complete this
home for Laurie and her son. It’s a lot of work to hold
down a job, keep up with a child and help build a new
home. Habitat makes it easier by matching the home-
You can join this great team!
Saratoga Community Housing Celebrates
move to Bayview Cash Store
Clockwise from top: Mary
Willis (center) visits with Barb
Enberg (right) & friend. Jerene
enjoys the summer sun. Chris
Turpen serves up tasty treats
catered by Beth Kearney. Levi
Burkle and James Hinkley
They say the third time’s a charm…
this is our third office location in two
years. Now, we feel like we’re home.
The Cash Store at Bayview is a great
place for us. Our neighbors are very
community minded and supportive of
our work.
The Open House gave us a chance
to invite community members to visit
our office and see what we’re doing.
The celebration was in conjunction
with the Open Door Gallery and Fine
Balance Imaging Services. Together
we drew about 200 people who enjoyed an evening of fine art, great food
and the beautiful sounds of the Levi
Burkle & James Hinkley duo.
Save the Date...
Island Luau
Saturday
August 8th
4:00 - 7:00
Featuring
Live music from “Deja Blooze”
and outstanding food & drinks
$25 per/person - proceeds benefit:
Saratoga Community Housing
More info coming soon!
SCH Business Circle Members support affordable housing in many ways...
Coldwell Banker-Tara Properties
Community Fund helps in our time of
need, by donating $500 to help purchase
new windows for SCH home. When SCH
member, Gail Pierce, learned that USDA
would not finance the sale of the home
unless it had upgraded windows, she encouraged SCH to submit a grant request.
The CBTP Community Fund jumped into
action and approved our request. We appreciate Gail’s efforts and Coldwell
Banker - Tara Properties generosity!
PSE
“HomePrint”
Maps Your
Home’s Energy
Efficiency
The high cost
of home utilities is
a big factor when
providing truly
affordable housHomeowner, Peter Oakley, looks
ing. Puget
Sound Energy is on (right) as PSE Energy Advisor, Lisa Yarrow, conducts
helping local
households learn HomePrint energy assessment.
what they can do
to cut their home energy consumption while
cutting their overall utility costs.
HomePrint is a new program from Puget
Sound Energy offering residential energy assessments for Whidbey Island customers.
Under this “Pilot Program”, Whidbey-based
energy analysts use diagnostic tools to assess
homes for heat leaks, air leaks and potential
energy efficiency improvements. The assessment takes up to 3 hours and comes with a
written report outlining recommendations
based on the size of the home, number of
occupants, and other important factors.
Welcome to our new
Business Circle
Members:
Bartlett Electrical
Coldwell Banker - Tara
Properties Community Fund
Farmers Insurance
Gail Pierce -Coldwell Banker
Tara Properties
Island Chem-Dry
Puget Sound Energy
AP ‘Wine a true House Wine!
When Larry and Nancy Soll started Windfall Winery it was
for two reasons: to introduce wine lovers to an entirely
new premium wine, and to help working families purchase
homes in their communities. The profits from Windfall Winery’s wine are donated to Community Land Trusts to provide affordable housing for those who otherwise could not
afford it. The sale of AP wine on Whidbey benefits SCH!!!
Windfall Winery Friday Harbor WA 1-800-481-3712
www.windfallwine.com
The service is available to homes that heat
with electricity. If your primary heat source is
not electricity, call an Energy Advisor
to determine if you are eligible for this service.
The pilot-phase cost is currently $95 (payable
on your electric bill.) To learn more or to
schedule an appointment, call a PSE Energy
Advisor at 1-800-562-1482.
We have a new Employee…
We’re pleased to announce the addition of Shannon Keller, our recently
hired Administrative Assistant. She’s
eager to help folks realize their dreams
of homeownership. We’re glad Shannon
has joined our team.
Gail Pierce (left) presents $500 check to SCH
Board President Debbie Torget
AP wine is featured
at the Star Store in
Bayview. Ask your
favorite store, or
restaurant ,to stock
this premium wine.
Saratoga
Community Housing
Join our Membership and
Become a Part of the Solution!
Annual Memberships start at:
$15 for an individual $25 for a family
Homeownership Orientations:
Attending an Orientation is the 1st step toward becoming a
SCH Homeowner. Check our Website for upcoming dates
Homebuyer Education Classes:
At Skagit Valley Community College in Oak Harbor & Clinton
Classes are Free - Registration is required
For dates/times call: Wayne @ 360-679-7621
We gratefully accept donations of:
Time◊Goods◊Services◊Funding◊Land
SCH is a non-profit 501(c)(3)- EIN# 20-5160723
P O BOX 1002 FREELAND, WA 98249
360-331-4248
www.saratogacommunityhousing.org