Blankenship Place Groundbreaking: A Legacy of Service and a Future of Hope
Home is where the heart is. And for four families in Sebastopol, their homes just got one step closer to completion.
On Thursday May 1, a powerful chapter began for four families in Sebastopol as Sonoma County Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the new Blankenship Place Townhomes. The celebration was filled with emotion, gratitude, and promise — an embodiment of the Habitat mission to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
A Legacy That Built a Community
The townhomes are named in honor of Jack “Mr. Habitat” and Phyllis Blankenship, whose more than 25 years of volunteerism helped hundreds of families access safe, affordable housing. Jack also opened the original Habitat ReStore in Santa Rosa — what started as a garage operation has evolved to a 28,000 square foot discounted home improvement store that sells new and gently used building materials, furniture and antiques, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity and building affordable homes in Sonoma County. At the ceremony, sons Mark and Mike Blankenship brought their father’s trenching shovel — used on all his Habitat builds — a tangible reminder of his enduring impact.
A Community Comes Together
Since 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County has built 28 homes and Blankenship Place marks the 29th — a major milestone celebrated with the Sebastopol community. In attendance were the four families selected to move into the new homes, as well as former Habitat homeowners who shared how the opportunity transformed their lives.
One woman reflected on moving into her Habitat home in 2016: “It created stability in our lives that we didn’t have before… my kids are the first ones [in our immediate family] to go to college. There is a ripple effect that comes along with the stability of homeownership.”
This story is one that encapsulates the mission of Habitat for Humanity: creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live and empowering communities with the strength, stability, and self-reliance that come with home ownership.
Homes Designed to Support Generations
Continuing their mission to create stable housing for families across America, these new townhomes will serve four Sebastopol families, many of whom already have children attending Sebastopol schools. Each townhome includes features to support long-term living: private front porches and back patios, single car garages, and ADA-compliant lower-level bathrooms that make aging in place possible.
Located in the heart of Sebastopol, the homes are a short walk to the Sebastopol Plaza which hosts outdoor events & farmers markets, local schools, grocery and retail shops — situated perfectly for families to stay connected to their community.
COAR’s Continued Commitment
COAR’s relationship with Sonoma County Habitat for Humanity began back in 2019 with the Green Valley Village project. Then Jeff Katz Architecture, the team flew up from San Diego and spent several days constructing the framing and walls of what would become two homes in the Graton Green Valley Village. President Jeff Katz understood the transformative impact that these homes have on the community and was eager to continue his involvement.
Job Captain Sophia Conti shared a similar connection. As a native of Sebastopol, these townhomes were one of the first projects she worked on at COAR, and this event was her first ever groundbreaking ceremony with the company. Reflecting after the ceremony she shared, “It has been an incredible opportunity to work on this project since its inception, and it feels so meaningful to contribute to a project that will provide housing in my hometown.”
A New Chapter Begins
This groundbreaking marks more than just the start of construction. It marks the beginning of pride and possibility for four families. A new place to call home, a new place to make memories, and, for the first time, allowing them the sense of stability that comes with always having somewhere to return to. COAR is honored to be part of that story – and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the families of Blankenship Place.