In a recent government meeting, representatives from Habitat for Humanity highlighted their ongoing efforts to address housing challenges in Thurston County. Since its inception in 1989, the organization has successfully built 84 homes and has ambitious plans to construct an additional 164 affordable houses over the next five years.

However, the discussion emphasized the importance of their critical home repair program, which aims to keep residents in their current homes by addressing urgent safety and livability issues. This program, initiated in 2020, focuses on essential repairs such as fixing leaking roofs, faulty electrical wiring, and unsafe flooring—issues that can render homes uninhabitable.

While the program started slowly, completing only 14 projects in its first three years, there has been significant progress. In 2023 alone, Habitat for Humanity completed 34 home repairs, showcasing a growing commitment to not only building new homes but also ensuring existing ones are safe and livable for families in need. This dual approach is seen as a vital strategy in tackling the ongoing housing crisis in the region.