After years of building affordable houses for families in need, Habitat for Humanity of Island County finally has its own home, too.

At Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Habitat celebrated the purchase of the building at 290 Southeast Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor, where the nonprofit has been leasing for about eight years, according to chairperson Brian Hunt.

The purchase was made possible with the help of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, who earmarked over $31 million in the congressional 2023 spending package for 15 projects in the Second District. The package included $2 million for Habitat to buy the building that houses the retail store, the warehouse and the administrative office.

For about 70 years, the building was occupied by Whidbey Furniture, a business run by the Eelkema family for 59 years and sold to Ed Baran and Susan Walker Baran in 2007. Habitat has been leasing the space since 2015, according to CEO Orin Kolaitis.

Kolaitis said Habitat will be able to save nearly $100,000 in rent every year. Now, he and Hunt said, the nonprofit can use that money to better pursue the mission of building and preserving affordable housing.

With the help of Habitat volunteers, families can build or repair their homes, pay an affordable mortgage and receive financial education, according to Habitat’s website.

In an interview, Chief Development Officer Liz Chaffin said the nonprofit is currently working on a housing project in Holmes Harbor on South Whidbey, is expecting to soon break ground for the construction of seven units in Langley and is in the permitting process for the development of three properties in Oak Harbor.

To fund these projects, Habitat relies on monetary donations or the sale of gently used, donated furniture, building supplies, decor and more. The South End store is located at 1592 Main Street in Freeland.

Larsen, who was given a personalized Habitat helmet, said he toured the facility and a nearby housing project a few years back. The nonprofit’s work, he said, “is needed now more than ever.”