Mid-Columbia Habitat for Humanity - Hood River, Oregon, White Salmon, Washington

January 2012 - Second House in Lyle, WA in Progress
The second lot out of four in Lyle, Washington broke ground in the fall of 2011. The foundation has been poured and the first floor exterior walls have been started using the latest technology of styrofoam concrete blocks. Great insulation from the heat and cold! Building will continue in spring 2012 where the second floor will be added using conventional 2x6 studs.

See below for more detailed information regarding the four-lot parcel in Lyle.

Click on an image to start photo lightbox. Photos courtesy of Janet Drummond.

The most common image of Habitat for Humanity is, perhaps, Jimmy Carter pounding nails into 2X6’s next to a family member who will occupy the house. Certainly walls coming together and a half-dozen volunteers tipping a section into place is dramatic. The actual construction, finish work and painting are some of the most rewarding and fun aspects of the Habitat endeavor. Volunteers love it.

What many people don’t realize is the cooperation, coordination and community that make the house possible. Mid-Columbia Habitat for Humanity has acquired, in conjunction with The Dalles Habitat for Humanity, a four-lot parcel in Lyle, Washington. We could not have afforded the parcel on our own, but The Dalles Habitat joined our effort and the two affiliates now have joint ownership of the property. There was a strip of land adjacent to our parcel that was owned by the Lyle School District. Acquisition of that land would make building four houses more feasible given the required set-backs. The 25 foot strip of land was steeply graded and by itself not buildable. We approached the School Board, they declared the land “surplus,” and gave it to us.

When the Klickitat County Commissioners got wind of the Lyle project they came forward and said they had money in their “affordable housing surcharge” fund. They have provided two grants of $30,000 each for 2008 and 2009. Each summer the Mid-Columbia Realtors hold a fund raising event for Habitat for Humanity. This year Mid Columbia and The Dalles Habitats each received over $3000 from that event. Throughout our planning process the Lyle Community Council and the citizens of Lyle have been supportive of our efforts. We also receive financial support from area churches and private contributors. We are now poised to break ground for our first house in Lyle. Our work building houses would not be possible without the broad support of all these entities here in the Gorge.