Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MBAKS Builds Ramps to Give Mobility Freedom to Those in Need

BELLEVUE, Wash., May 23, 2022—Since 1993 the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) has built more than 500 wheelchair access ramps for families in need. Built by MBAKS members and community volunteers, these ramps provide a much-needed benefit for those who struggle to get themselves or their loved ones safely in and out of their homes.

“Rampathon is one of our signature community stewardship programs at MBAKS which we look forward to every year,” says Jerry Hall, Interim Executive Director, Chief Operating and Financial Officer at MBAKS. “We are so grateful to our members, who lend their time and expertise to provide mobility freedom to individuals and families within our community.”

This year MBAKS built 20 different mobility ramps for deserving families across King and Snohomish Counties and showcased 16-year-old Lucas Golla-Patsula. At 4 months, Lucas started having seizures and is unable to walk or talk. Confined to a stroller and wheelchair since infancy, the current ramp at Lucas’ home is in disrepair and unsafe. MBAKS member, Carlisle Classic Homes, built a new ramp for the family to aid in ease of mobility and safety.

In addition to the 18 member companies that volunteered to be a part of this year’s program, long term signature sponsor Dunn Lumber provided support by donating funds to help provide lumber at no cost.

“Giving back to our local community members is very important to Blackwood Builders Group, and Rampathon is just one of several ways we give back to the communities we serve,” said Trevor Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackwood Builders Group. “We’ve been building ramps for community members in need for 4 years and look forward to participating in the program every year.”

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Building Permits Up in Pierce County

Pierce County is experiencing an uptick in permit activity this year, unlike King and Snohomish counties where permits remain flat or down compared to the same period last year. Specifically, single family permits are up 17 percent in Pierce County, while multifamily permits are up 93 percent through September.

The Builders’ Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

Contact: data@mbaks.com

The latest end-of-year numbers reveal a downturn in both single-family and multifamily homebuilding from 2022 to 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the number of single-family permits stands at 6,053, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 16% compared to 2022 figures. Similarly, multifamily permits have seen a substantial decrease, with 11,201 permits issued as of the same date, indicating a sharp year-on-year decline of 43%.

Read the full February Builders Bulletin: