The Master Builders Care Foundation provides the following news items of interest from the foundation, government, and news media sources
Rampathon Remodelers and Builders Marks 200th Wheelchair Ramp
Rampathon, presented by HomeStreet Bank, prepares to mark the building of its 200th ramp on May 19. The Master Builders Care Foundation’s model wheel chair ramp-building program is now in its fourteenth year. Committee co-chairs Jon Elkins, Joseph Irons, and Lis Weller are excited to announce ramp captains that will include remodelers, homebuilders, design firms and suppliers. They expect 27 new ramps will be built for low-income homeowners. The Rampathon committee and ramp captains have screened all applicants.
More than 350 volunteers from are expected to participate in this year’s event. A special ceremony will be held to recognize construction of Rampathon’s 200th ramp, which will be constructed by Jackson Remodeling.
In addition to Presenting Sponsor HomeStreet Bank, Rampathon sponsors include Star Sponsors Janes Gypsum Floors, Plywood Supply, Woodinville Lumber, Sandusky Radio and Gold Sponsor Rodda Paint.
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April 25, 2007 - Bellevue
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Master Builders Care Foundation Receives ‘Evergreen Award’
The Master Builders Care Foundation was presented an "Evergreen Award" at the 13th annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference held April 25 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. The award recognizes nonprofit organizations' for their contributions to communities in Washington State. The Care Foundation was honored for its exemplary use of partnerships and collaborations among public, for profit, and non-profit sectors to successfully carry out its mission.
In presenting the award, Robbie Rohr, executive director of the Executive Alliance, read the following citation, "The Master Builders Care Foundation’s HomeAid program forms partnerships among nonprofits, businesses and public and private funders to build shelter for the homeless. In a typical project, more than half the total construction cost is contributed by members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and lasting partnerships are developed between the participants – nonprofit organizations that house the homeless, professionals in the home building trades, suppliers of building materials, and the new residents of the completed projects. As the largest such Association of homebuilders in the nation, Master Builders can mobilize commitments from building trades throughout the region, provide a vehicle for broad community participation in tangible efforts to address the need for additional housing, and expand the capacity of nonprofit housing providers throughout the region."
In accepting the award for the Master Builders Care Foundation it's executive director, Jay Schupack, stated, "Our mission is to utilze resources of the home building industry to benefit the community, specifically low-income disabled and homeless striving to become self-sufficient. We're proud that we can form partnerships with others for a common good. We're serious about giving back to the community, and honored by the recognition of the Executive Alliance."
Master Builders Care Foundation
HomeAid Builder Captain CamWest
Breaks Gound for Vision House
Builder Captain Cam West Development is carrying on the Care Foundation’s legacy of building housing for homeless. CamWest broke ground for the Vision House Children’s Village Hedco building on April 4.
During the groundbreaking ceremony Master Builders Association Second Vice President Joe Schwab said, “This is all about giving back to the community. We are the largest home building association in the country, and under HomeAid Master Builders Care our members have been formally organized to give back to the community since 1998. “ MBA members have now completed 7 HomeAid projects, and two additional ones are in development.
Kelley Moldstadt, senior project manager for builder captain CamWest, followed Schwab’s remarks and said, “Asking for help is easy. The trades want to contribute, and we sincerely appreciate their commitments.”
As part of the ceremony, all those who will contribute to the project symbolically placed stakes in the ground with their company name. Later, children from Vision House turned the first dirt, ceremoniously marking the start of construction.
CamWest plans to construct a 4,700 square feet building that will have four two-bedroom units for homeless families. This is the second building in Vision House Children’s Village. The first was built by Conner Homes. A planned third building will be built by Centex Homes. Earlier, DR Horton lead construction of Vision House project at another location.
According to Vision House executive director, Susan Camerer, Vision House targets homeless mothers with children because they make up a large portion of the homeless population. Many of these families have been victims of domestic violence. In 2006 all the families that left Vision House found a permanent place to live, and one year after leaving Vision House, 90 percent of the families remained in permanent housing.
During the groundbreaking ceremony Master Builders Care Foundation President Scott Cameron stated, “This is all about connecting and helping others. This is a proud moment, a proud moment for all of us. Our core mission is to end homelessness, and Vision House is a leader in our area.”
Vision House Children’s Village Hedco Building is the ninth HomeAid project of the Master Builders Care Foundation.
98% of Snohomish County Homeless Report at Least One Disabling Condition
According to key findings from a soon to be released report on the ‘2007 Point In Time Count of Homeless Persons’ in Snohomish County (as of 1/26/07), 2666 individuals were counted as homeless, 98% of whom report a disabling condition. The report is being completed by the Snohomish County Office of Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development (OHHCD).
• 890 (33%) were children under the age of 18, compared to 717 in 2006.
• 800 (30%) were in families with children, compared to 1027 in 2006
• 1893 (71%) individuals were unsheltered
• 739 (28%) individuals were sheltered in emergency or transitional housing or using motel vouchers.
• 293 (11%) individuals in the jail reported they would be homeless upon release.
• 98% of survey respondents reported at least one disabling condition.
• 800 (30%) were in families with children
• 552 (20%) were single adults
CHRONICALLY HOMELESS
• 250 were identified as chronically homeless
SINGLE MOTHERS
• On average spent four years homeless
• 55% reported a mental health issue
• 28% reported experiencing domestic violence
JAIL POPULATION
• 54% reported a substance abuse issue
• 15% reported having both mental health and substance abuse issues
TOP REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS SELF-IDENTIFIED
Job loss (30%) and inability to pay rent (25%)
TOP NEEDS SELF-IDENTIFIED
43% need more affordable housing
For more information contact:
Sola Plumacher, MSW
HMIS Coordinator
Office of Housing, Homelessness and Community Development (OHHCD)
3000 Rockefeller Avenue Mailstop 305
Everett, WA 98201
Telephone: (425) 388-7289
Fax: (425) 388-3504
sola.plumacher@co.snohomish.wa.us
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