Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Joins MasonEDC Membership!

Mason County, WA – August 11, 2026 – When people hear the name Habitat for Humanity, they often think of volunteers raising the walls of a new home. While home construction remains at the heart of the organization, Habitat for Humanity of Mason County has spent the last 30 years building something much larger: stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and greater opportunity through affordable homeownership.

That is exactly why Mason Economic Development Council is excited to welcome Habitat for Humanity of Mason County as one of our newest members.

Recently, Habitat welcomed Executive Director Stephen Hueffed to lead the organization into its next chapter. Bringing experience, new ideas, and an ambitious vision for the future, Stephen is helping position Habitat to become one of the county's key partners in addressing one of our region's most pressing challenges: affordable housing.

Since its founding three decades ago, Habitat for Humanity of Mason County has helped build 41 homes while serving hundreds of local households through its home preservation programs. Along the way, the organization has grown beyond construction projects alone. Today, Habitat operates two Habitat Stores in Shelton and Belfair, where donated furniture, building materials, home improvement products, appliances, and countless other items are sold to the public. The stores also carry limited new product lines, including flooring, interior and exterior paint and related supplies. Every purchase made at these stores directly supports Habitat's mission, with proceeds funding local homebuilding and repair programs.

As Stephen shared during our conversation, Habitat has always been guided by two core principles: affordability and ownership. This has only been possible with the support and generosity of the Mason County community – individuals, community organizations, faith communities and local businesses big and small.

"There are multiple organizations working to address homelessness and transitional housing, both crucial needs within the community." he explained. "Habitat's focus has always been affordable homeownership."

That distinction matters.

Homeownership creates stability for families while allowing them to build equity and invest in their futures. Research consistently shows that access to affordable homeownership contributes to stronger educational outcomes, improved health, greater financial stability, and more resilient communities. Habitat's model is designed not simply to build houses, but to create lasting opportunities for families to thrive.

Economic development is about much more than attracting businesses or creating jobs. A thriving economy depends on having the workforce to support those businesses, and that workforce needs places they can afford to live.

Housing affordability has become one of the biggest challenges facing employers throughout Mason County. When workers cannot find attainable housing close to where they work, businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees, families face longer commutes, and communities lose opportunities for long-term economic growth.

Organizations like Habitat for Humanity play an important role in helping address that challenge.

Looking ahead, Habitat's vision is anything but modest.

The organization hopes to build 45 homes over the next five years. Future projects will also introduce permanent affordability models that separate land ownership from home ownership, helping ensure homes remain affordable not only for today's buyers but for future generations as well.

Habitat is also working to significantly expand its Home Preservation program, with plans to offer additional critical home repairs and aging-in-place services that allow qualified seniors and longtime homeowners to safely remain in their homes. The organization has already assisted more than 450 households through these efforts and hopes to dramatically increase that impact in the coming years.

Whether you're shopping for home improvement supplies, searching for furniture, making a donation, or volunteering your time, every contribution helps Habitat continue its work throughout Mason County. If you haven't visited one of the Habitat Stores in Shelton or Belfair recently, consider stopping in. You never know what treasures you'll find, and every purchase helps another local family move one step closer to safe, affordable homeownership.

As Habitat for Humanity of Mason County enters its next chapter, MasonEDC is proud to welcome them as a member and partner. Together, we share a belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, and that affordable housing is more than a social issue—it's an economic one.

We're excited to see what's ahead as Habitat works toward its ambitious goals, expands its programs, and continues creating opportunities for Mason County families for generations to come.