Spokane leaders, volunteers honor Jimmy Carter and renew focus on affordable housing

Spokane leaders, Habitat for Humanity volunteers and elected officials gathered at a Spokane event to honor former President Jimmy Carter and highlight his decades of volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, speakers said, while urging continued local efforts to increase affordable housing.

The gathering featured personal recollections from longtime volunteers and public officials who credited Carter with elevating the national conversation about affordable housing and modeling “servant leadership.” Arlene Patton, a former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official and former Habitat for Humanity Spokane board member, described traveling with Spokane volunteers to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2009 to dedicate a Habitat home and recalled Carter’s presence on international build sites.

"He often said that his work with Habitat was one of the most meaningful parts of his life," the event emcee said, introducing speakers and the organization’s local partners. Patton told attendees that during the Chiang Mai trip "we were assured it would be complete before Habitat International left" and recounted that Carter walked through dozens of homes during the visit.

Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldroff said Carter’s example can inform local leaders in three areas: servant leadership, elevating the housing conversation and partnership-building across government, faith groups, business and nonprofits. "You're not leading for yourself and for your own ego. You're leading from behind, and you're supporting, and you're picking up a hammer," Waldroff said.

Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson spoke about Carter’s faith and community ties, and she credited Habitat’s local work with building neighborhood ties in East Central Spokane since the organization began operating locally in 1987. Mary Lisa Brown emphasized the role of increased housing supply in improving affordability and noted that the city has issued a request for proposals for developers and nonprofits to pursue new housing opportunities.

Organizers invited attendees to sign a door to symbolize the “countless doors” Carter helped open and encouraged volunteers to join build efforts; the emcee said the signed door will be placed in Habitat offices and on job sites across Spokane County. Habitat for Humanity Spokane’s website was provided as the contact point for volunteers and developers.

No formal votes, ordinances or policy decisions were made during the event; remarks were commemorative and focused on encouraging future community action on housing.