Solving the affordable housing puzzle in Whatcom County is a feat we cannot achieve alone. This year, we decided to highlight a handful of local businesses and organizations that are going above and beyond to support our mission of ending intergenerational poverty in Whatcom County.
On Thursday, June 12th, we were joined by a crowd of volunteers, community leaders, and neighbors for a Roof Raising celebration at Mateo Meadows in Everson, followed by the presentation of our 2025 Housing Champion Awards.
Our efforts to build homes and hope are made possible through the strength of our community partnerships. We’re deeply grateful to be surrounded by a generous and supportive business community that aligns with our mission. This year, we chose to spotlight six local businesses and organizations that have played a key role in helping us tackle critical pieces of the affordable housing puzzle.
Resiliency and Sustainability Award:
Solid Carbon, Cowden Gravel & Ready Mix
Building sustainably is a key goal of our organization. We want to be good stewards of the land we depend on. When we learned about Solid Carbon, an Oregon-based company that reduces the high carbon footprint of concrete through carbon sequestration, our team was interested immediately. Working together with Cowden Gravel & Ready Mix, all of the concrete we have poured at Mateo Meadows has had a portion of its carbon load offset, thanks to the partnership with these two companies.
Most Impactful Collaboration Award:
Exxel Pacific
There are many ways to support our mission of building homes and hope, and our long-time partners at Exxel Pacific have embraced several of them. In addition to volunteering their time on our build sites, the team took their commitment even further this year when one of their Project Managers joined our Construction Committee. The pro bono project consulting that has resulted from this partnership has become a crucial part of our efforts to address the affordable housing crisis in Whatcom County. While it’s difficult to put a dollar amount on the value of shared time and expertise, the impact is tangible – and deeply appreciated.
Capacity Building Award:
Whatcom County
Access to low or no-cost capital is one of the biggest hurdles in increasing our capacity to build more homes. Through the vision, encouragement, and technical support of our neighbors who work for Whatcom County, we have been awarded a combination of grants and 1% loans through ARPA and Economic Development Funds for Mateo Meadows and other projects throughout the county. The result of this added capacity, thanks to the County, will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
No Profit Added Partner Award:
North Coast Electric
One of our most dedicated partners that has stepped up to put people over profit is North Coast Electric. This local business has been a longtime supporter, providing electrical materials to us at cost for several projects. Recently, North Coast Electric committed to extending this generosity to all of our projects through the end of 2025! When businesses provide their product or service at cost, they’re helping to build and strengthen the communities they depend on.
2025 Housing Champion Award:
Builders First Source
It’s a common misconception that Habitat gives away homes for free. In reality, Habitat Homebuyers pay full appraisal price for their homes. Habitat Homeowners get an affordable first mortgage, not more than 30% of their gross income, ideally covering the cost of construction for the first mortgage. Habitat provides a 0% interest second mortgage on the remainder. This is why lowering our construction costs has such a huge impact in making our homes affordable to the lowest-income earners.
In 2025, one business stood out as our Housing Champion for lowering construction costs: Builders First Source. In addition to providing many materials at cost, Builders First Source has shared an innovative product with us that has helped lower construction costs and increased our efficiency on the build site. Their Ready-Frame pre-cut lumber packages – which we have been using at Mateo Meadows and at our single-family home in Custer – have reduced waste to make our build sites more sustainable, increased safety due to less need for cutting, and increased efficiency overall, which has led to lower labor costs.
We are blessed to have such a generous business community, both in the construction industry and beyond here in Whatcom County. Every time a business or organization steps up to support our mission, we’re one step closer to solving the affordable housing puzzle in our community. Thank you to everyone who lends their time, labor, or expertise to our mission. Our work to end intergenerational poverty would not be possible without you!
