Homestead Community Land Trust News

Homeowner Profile: How Baby Gus Got his Groove On...

By Rebecca Lane, Development & Communications Director

When Shelley Stoltey and Josh Englehardt found their incredibly cool split level home in Beacon Hill, they were over the moon. 

Josh grew up in Seattle, and had nearly given up on being able to afford a home in which he and his wife could raise their son, Gus.  Homestead provided the solution they’d been looking for. Josh and Shelley started house hunting at the first of the year, and met the seller who had been raised in that house. With the support of Homestead’s Advantage Program, they closed on their home in time to plant a summer garden. 

Baby Gus had ideas about his new home, too. In the cramped, 700 square foot apartment in which the family had been living, Gus was able to reach every corner of their living room simply by rotating while sitting down. The week they got into their new home, Gus began to crawl then stand, and soon was making attempts at walking. He is now taking his first steps! 

Gus finally had the room to make this big developmental plunge that is so significant in every child’s life – and in their parents’ lives too. Shelley and Josh laugh as they recall this pivotal stage in their family’s life, and the challenges it created as new homeowners just getting settled in. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

In Memory of Ryan Neff

The Ryan Neff Affordable Housing Award was established by Homestead Community Land Trust’s Board of Directors to recognize member or partner organizations or individuals who have demonstrated innovation in strategic partnerships, community outreach, and affordable housing stewardship.

Award recipients demonstrate leadership attributes and a long-term vision in developing sustainable affordable housing programs within our community.  This annual award honors the memory of Ryan Neff, a CoHo Team Realtor, whose example of finding new and numerous ways to work toward housing solutions will always be remembered. 

Congratulations to the 2008 Ryan Neff Award recipient, Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County, for your outstanding partnership and contribution to sustainable housing solutions.
 

The Tenants Union of Washington State

Homestead is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Esther “Little Dove” John Community Leadership Award to the Tenants Union of Washington State (TU) this year at its June event. 

Michele Thomas, Community Organizer for the TU and past Homestead Board member will be among those accepting the award.  “Homestead and the Tenants Union are both working to achieve deep and lasting solutions for safe, affordable and dignified housing.  Both organizations share an underlying belief in equitable development and that low and moderate income residents have the right to be at the table when decisions are made about their housing and their community,” said Michele.

Created in 1977 from a foundation of volunteer service, the Tenants Union has built a dedicated membership base and steadfastly sustained grassroots social change organizing. 

“The Tenants' Union of Washington State has, throughout its 30-year history, stood for the best in social justice work in all areas, but especially in the area of housing.  From multi-property developers to small rental property owners, the TU helps tenants face their landlords armed with the law and the support of Union members and organizers.  Regardless of race, social class, language, educational level, national origin or disability, the TU bridges divides to ensure decent, affordable housing for all,” said Esther “Little Dove” John.

Washington State Representative Eric Pettigrew was the 2007 Award Recipient.  This year, he will participate in the Award presentation to the TU.  We look forward to celebrating with you and the Tenants Union this summer!  Call Kristin or email at kristin@homesteadclt.org today to purchase your ticket for June 20, 2008.

"It Just Made Sense": Pete is HCLT's 10th Homeowner!

Text: Peter Graff

The articles always stressed me out.  You know, those front page above-the-fold reminders of the white hot Seattle housing market, astronomic home prices, and gruesome bidding wars.  I couldn’t take another story about one more couple laying down lottery winner sums of money for their undersized fixer.  It was depressing.

I didn’t harbor dreams of making a killing in real estate.  To me, “flipping” was (and still is) something you do at the pool or with pancakes.  I simply wanted to put an end to my status as a terminal renter, to be able to paint my walls whenever the urge struck me, to make it mine.  But, the combination of my chosen field of work and Seattle home prices formed a seemingly insurmountable financial barrier.  And then I came upon Homestead CLT.

It just made sense.  Along with assistance to get my own place, I would be perpetuating affordable housing in the city I love.  Soon after, I met up with my agent, Tonya Hennen, and she immediately--and very expertly--began demystifying the whole process.  The search began. 

It wasn’t easy.  Over the next five months, we scoured the city, and put offers in on four other homes before finding the one in which I now sit and type this. I had become used to getting outbid, and to Tonya’s phone calls in her post-rejection but unflaggingly optimistic tone of voice.

But with her and Homestead’s tenacity and patience, it finally happened.  In April, I purchased a home from the Seattle Housing Authority in the Puget Ridge neighborhood.  And now, one month into home ownership, the project list is a mile long, I’ll soon be on a first name basis with the entire staff of Home Depot, and mowing a lawn has never seemed so enjoyable. 

In other words, I’m elated.  Homestead has made this possible, and calling them last October was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  Oh, and now, I gladly skip right over those articles.