When Dick first bought his Hillsboro home in 1996, the neighborhood was underwater—literally. “I couldn’t even get into the cul de sac,” he recalled. “The bridge was underwater from the flood.” At the time, powerful floodwaters were sweeping across much of the Willamette Valley, turning streets into rivers and isolating entire communities. But the home itself, perched on higher ground allowing it to remain protected from flooding, has been his safe haven ever since.
Now 83, Dick has spent nearly three decades in the same house, watching the seasons pass from his backyard deck. A retired realtor of 31 years, he’s built a life of steady independence—golfing three times a week, handling small maintenance tasks around the house, and offering help and support to others, including his longtime friend and roommate.
But over the years, time and weather wore down the deck. It became dangerous, riddled with soft spots and rotting boards. “You could feel the give in the wood,” Dick said. “There were two areas that were especially bad. It got to the point where it just wasn’t safe anymore.”
Dick had been making patchwork repairs for years, replacing a handful of boards each season. But after undergoing open-heart surgery, Dick no longer felt comfortable climbing ladders. Even small projects became overwhelming. “My physical capabilities are pretty diminished,” he said. “I can still do a little here and there, but I just don’t have the endurance.”
That’s when he learned about Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair program, which helps homeowners complete critical home repairs that improve health, safety, and accessibility. “I was ecstatic,” he said. “There’s no way I could’ve afforded the full cost of the repair on my own. Habitat made it possible.”
Last December, a crew arrived and, over the course of about a week, replaced the hazardous deck with a safe and sturdy new one. “It’s not a bad-looking deck,” Dick said with a grin. “It’s nice having something you don’t have to worry about.”
Since the repair, Dick has found new joy in using the space. “I hesitated to have people over before. I didn’t want anyone getting hurt. But now? Now I’m comfortable inviting friends over again. We’ll sit out here, catch up, maybe have a beer after golf.”
Dick is dreaming up new ways to use the space—maybe a flower bed, or a raised herb garden. Mostly, he’s just grateful to have a home that feels safe again.
“I love it,” he said simply. “It gave me peace of mind. It was a godsend.”
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Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s home repair program is now open for applications. Visit our Home Repair webpage to learn more about the program and qualifications.
