By Eugene T. Lowe
October 12, 2009

Mayors and staff joined Conference of Mayors President Seattle Mayor Gregg Nickels for an afternoon of service at the conclusion of the Leadership Meeting in Seattle. HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims and Representative Jay Inslee (WA) also participated. The Build-a-Thon was in the final stages of the building of several homes for four Seattle families. Mayors worked at a variety of activities including painting, installing wood floors and landscaping. Following their work, the mayors took part in a Dedication of Homes ceremony for the families.

Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County and the Rainier Vista homes (the area in which the homes were built) hosted the build and dedication event that took part on World Habitat Day. In 1985, the United Nations declared the first Monday in October to be “World Habitat Day” in recognition of human settlements and the basic need for adequate shelter for all. World Habitat Day’s purpose is to urge people across the globe to reflect on the world’s housing crisis and to consider our collective responsibility for the future of human habitat. Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity of East King County have completed over 200 homes in King County.

Rainier Vista is a redevelopment of the Seattle Housing Authority 1940’s rental housing comprehensive neighborhood planning process and will become home to roughly 850 households across all income levels. Located near the area’s new light rail line, it is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Seattle. The families purchased their homes with no-profit, no-interest mortgages and will repay their mortgages into the Fund for Humanity that will use the funds to build more homes.