When Suzanne Rankin got the flyer on the doorknob of her home saying Habitat for Humanity SKC was looking for homeowners to help in the area, she almost threw it away. But she didn't. She instead applied for help through the organization and became one of nearly two dozen White Center area homeowners to qualify for assistance in Habitat's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.

The organization celebrated that effort on Sept. 26 with Senator Sharon Nelson and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, Sili Savusa and others from the White Center CDA and lots of volunteers from Loews Hardware.

They were there as a result of a grant from Lowes which is contributing nearly $1 million to 11 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation. The local affiliate was awarded a grant to assist ten White Center families with their home repair needs from July through December of 2014. That $70,000 grant, included the approximately $5800 spent on "hardy plank" siding for Rankin's home.

To do the work, a process that took five days, 55 to 60 volunteers had to first remove the old siding, including lead based paint and then put up the new materials. Repair Programs Manager Kristina Copley said, "We are using dark gray ValSpar paint for the exterior, with a bright red door and white trim. It's going to look real nice."

Ania Beszterda Alyson, Habitat for Humanity's Director of Community Engagement said, "Really our mission is to eliminate poverty housing. The vision is one where everyone has a decent, affordable home to live." She explained that the organization has completed 68 repair projects in King County in the last two years, with 21 of them in White Center.

The program has a fairly rigorous vetting process to verify income, and prevent "house flipping" since the intent to come to the aid of those in need. "We're only serving homeowners who don't qualify for other repair resources," Alyson said,"so we're really sort of the last resort." To qualify, homeowners must earn between 30% to 80% of the annual median income, and be located in the White Center community.

She also explained that the homeowners must participate in the repair process with 400 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" and Rankin, who has no construction experience, pitched in and did spackling, and helped fit some of the wall panels, with more work to come. "I consider myself the luckiest woman in White Center," Rankin said. "When I got this house, the very first day, they told me, 'You need new siding and you're going to want to do it within a year.' That was 12 years ago. Then every single year it's been a real struggle here. There's been a lot times I've thought about walking away from the house but I never did. I paid my mortgage every single month, but I was never able to make any major repairs on the house. But this year I'm getting new siding on my house thanks to Habitat for Humanity and I feel like I won the lottery."

In White Center, according to Habitat SKC, 42% of residents live below 200% of the poverty line and 71% of residents are paying too much for housing.

They have partnered with the White Center Community Development Association to deliver this home repair program. In 2011 the CDA awarded Habitat SKC a grant to complete at least $60,000 worth of repairs for income qualified homeowners.

About Habitat for Humanity
The organization is worldwide with 1500 affiliates in the United States. They are much more than just a home building and repair organization. They offer educational resources for homebuyers and home owners, affordable building materials and more.