Four years ago, recognizing that the need for decent, affordable housing was as great on this side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge as it was elsewhere in the county, a group of local Habitat volunteers organized the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Chapter. Operating under the organizational umbrella of the Tacoma/Pierce County Affiliate and its full-time staff, the local GH/KP Chapter maximizes the effective use of limited resources. With the Affiliate providing the administrative overhead, the Chapter is staffed completely with volunteers and concentrates all of its efforts and its dollars toward the building of homes for those in need.

Habitat homes are not give-away homes. Each prospective Habitat family must meet three criteria to be considered for a Habitat home. They must be financially self-sufficient and able to afford a monthly mortgage payment. They must currently live in substandard conditions. Lastly, each Habitat family must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity in the construction of both their as well as other Habitat homes. Habitat families therefore earn their way into the program, and volunteers work by side-by-side with the future homeowners. Additionally, ten percent of the cost of each Tacoma/Pierce County home is donated to our international sister in Guatemala. That level of funding is sufficient to build two new homes in that Central American country.

The Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Chapter will build its fifth and sixth Habitat homes in our community during the summer and fall of 2005. Although skilled workers are always appreciated, they are not a requirement. All that is truly necessary is a desire to help; construction supervisors and crew chiefs will guide you every step of the way. In fact there are many other ways you can assist us without ever picking up a tool: family selection, family partners, fundraising, publicity, church relations to name just a few. Any amount of time you can offer will help. Contact a Volunteer Coordinator or click on the link to our website listed elsewhere on this page for more information. Although the rewards for participating are intangible, they are incredible nonetheless. You will be glad you had a hand in this project!

Lastly, our ability to provide sufficient housing to meet the demand is limited only by the financial support and the number of volunteers the community provides. We greatly appreciate your continued support.