TOUR OF HOMES COMMUNITY PARTNERS

HomesFirst was officially established in 1990, but the energy for it started more informally, as it often does, in 1987, at a community action day discussing housing for the homeless in Thurston County.  

In addition to providing the physical houses or apartments for people who need them, HomesFirst partners with other organizations that provide additional services tenants may need to live and thrive. HomesFirst’s approach to providing safe, healthy, and affordable homes builds community and provides generational affordable homes in a scattered site program that is sustainable. As great a goal as this is, it admittedly is not an easy one to achieve, and one with many challenges. First and foremost, of course, is money. Funds are needed for all aspects of the homes--acquiring land, construction, and developer fees, among others. As a non-profit, donations are crucial--without more generously donated funds, this crucial work can’t continue. 

But it’s not all business--at the end of the day, the goal of HomesFirst is to make a difference in the lives of people: those with developmental disabilities, veterans, single adults, families, and people in recovery from addiction. HomesFirst strives to make the south Puget Sound region a place where everyone can live and prosper. HomesFirst’s core values--respect, dignity, equity, personal responsibility, partnerships, and community, as well as the belief that all important aspects of life begin in the home--drive everything they do. 

In addition to helping individuals, HomesFirst also helps revitalize neighborhoods and helps create real communities, which is both good for business and for people. Their goals of creating and maintaining homes, supporting tenants, and building safe communities, accomplishes both of these honorable aims. As individuals who enter HomesFirst homes are able to get on their feet, perhaps for the first time, they are able to save up to eventually purchase their own homes, which in turn benefits the entire area. HomesFirst is a living, breathing example that helping people directly helps communities.