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When housing emergencies struck Homes First in 2025, they didn't just damage properties, the financial reserves that keep nearly 300 low-income families safely housed in Thurston and Mason Counties were depleted. The ensuing challenges tested everything we've built over 35 years. But, thanks to you, we're still here and still fighting.

In 2025, 382 households reached out to Homes First asking for help finding an affordable home. We were able to sign only 14 leases. That gap, between 382 families in need and 14 families housed, tells the painful story of the affordable housing crisis in Thurston and Mason Counties.

Homes First offers condolences to friends and family at the passing of our friend, Marge Gachne Price, on February 3, 2026

Our biggest volunteer project days of the year are doubling up! TCRA's Day of Caring and Keller William's Red Day happened the same day this year, May 14th!

Sound Credit Union recently hosted its annual employee charity fundraiser benefitting Homes First

Two Lacey properties long used for affordable housing have been transferred to nonprofit Homes First, in a deal that includes a clause to revert the land to Thurston County if it ceases to serve low-income residents.

Remodeling on a home in Tumwater is nearly complete and ready to house people in need of shelter, thanks to a collaborative project between Homes First, the City of Tumwater, and local businesses and organizations.

After extensive renovations, our property on Henderson is finally ready to welcome seven men in recovery as they find their footing on the path to a brighter future!

As another year is wrapping up, we at Homes First reflect on the many things we are grateful for. One example is our diverse, passionate, and generous board of directors who truly care about our mission.

Perhaps you’ve never heard of Homes First? Well, that should change if you believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. No matter what we look like: our race, our age, our household size, if we have a disability, are a veteran, or are a person in recovery, everybody needs a safe place to call home.

This home, called Genesis House, will soon be welcoming four new tenants—adult women between the ages of 18 and 25 who are working to achieve their high school diplomas or GED.

You can turbocharge your reputation and stand out from the ordinary. And you can increase your profits. “The way we look at it, we’ve found a nonprofit that shares the passion we have had since we were founded in 1906,” said Ryan Betz, vice president for marketing at Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed).

The little things most of us take for granted are far more than little things to many. A solid roof over our heads. A light in a window of a safe place we call home. The cozy security of knowing where our family will sleep tonight. 

Be honest. With so much bad news filling our lives, couldn’t we all use a little more celebrating the good in our community right about now?

This extra special organization, launched here in 1990, because of the unique foresight, intelligence, advocacy and diligence of local leaders, invites everyone in the community to attend its 8th Annual Heroes for Housing Fundraising Breakfast

When Homes First was formed in 1990, two of our first projects were recovery homes for clean and sober living with Oxford House International. This is one of many successful community partnerships formed by Homes First to support the people in our communities who have the hardest time finding and retaining homes.

Did you know that a lack of safe and affordable housing is the number one issue for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to Shawn Ullman, senior director for national initiatives at The Arc?

In 2020, thanks to a partnership with Olympia Community Solar and Puget Sound Energy, Homes First was able to place solar panels on two of our shared homes for adults with developmental disabilities and participate in the community solar project at Hands on Children’s Museum.

With your support, Homes First is celebrating a milestone 30 years of providing safe, permanent, and stable affordable rental housing for our community members most in need.