OlyFed Partners with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to Award $20,000 to South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity

(OLYMPIA, WA)- Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed), in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity has received a $20,000 grant from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program, which was introduced in 2023, will provide nearly $12 million to eligible Washington organizations to strengthen communities in targeted areas of FHLB Des Moines’ district.

“We are honored and grateful to be the recipient of these grant funds, which will be used to further the development of our Tâlícn community in Tumwater,” Elizabeth Walker, SPSHFH CEO said. “When completed this neighborhood will provide homeownership opportunities for 28 families with three- and four-bedroom townhomes built to Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards.”

OlyFed has been a proud sponsor of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity for decades and this $20,000 contribution is in addition to the $10,000 OlyFed donated to the organization earlier this year. The local community bank has also helped with the financing for the land acquisition and development for the Tâlícn neighborhood and for years has been a mortgage lending partner for SPSHFH homebuyers. As part of its Neighbor2Neighbor program, each year OlyFed also designates funds to SPSHFH every time they close on a new home loan.

“Together we have been dedicated to affordable housing and community development initiatives that have helped hundreds of people and families become homeowners that otherwise would not have had the opportunity,” Jennifer Arnold, OlyFed Chief Operating Officer and SPSHFH Board Member said. “These dollars from OlyFed and the FHLB of Des Moines will play a critical role in further advancing our ability to help more of our community realize the dream and benefits of owning their own home.”

“Homeownership means stability, community, the opportunity to build wealth and to access capital through equity,” Arnold continued. “These are key differentiators when it comes to improving education levels, health outcomes and our overall quality of life. It is so inspiring to see the positive impact we can have when we work together and collaborate on meaningful solutions.”