When Duffy and her three children moved into their Habitat home this year, the biggest change wasn’t the extra space, but the peace she has worked so hard to achieve.
“It feels like we can be a tighter family unit and rebuild our identity together,” she says.
For two years, Duffy’s family made the most of a temporary housing setup in her friend’s ADU since area rentals were unaffordable. Duffy was incredibly grateful for the support, but sharing a small space without running water between the four of them was challenging. The memory of carrying dishes to the main house through rain for over a year makes the conveniences of her new home feel even more wonderful.
“Having my own bathroom again, and not having to walk in the rain, is amazing,” Duffy says.
The struggle for stability
Duffy has lived in the Hillsboro area for 18 years and seen housing prices soar. As a single mom working in education, her dream of owning a home felt out of the question.
“I’ve rented my whole life and have seriously looked at housing for the last two decades, but it has always just been out of reach,” she says. She applied to Habitat for a chance to buy a home she could afford. She says getting into the program was like a dream.
As soon as she was approved, Duffy jumped into volunteering with Habitat. Before ever stepping foot in her home, she built construction skills and connections with neighbors. Now, she is building the stable life she wants for her family.
Rebuilding their lives
Her family moved into their four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home in December 2025. Personality already shines through their home, from decor to Rocket, the energetic family dog. And thanks to the connections Duffy made last year, she already has a community of supportive neighbors.
Shortly after moving in, Duffy was setting up her son’s bunk bed when she realized she was missing a tool for the job. She called a neighbor she had met volunteering and only asked to borrow his saw, but he came over and finished the project alongside Duffy and her son. Now, on the weekends, Duffy’s kids spend time with new friends at the neighborhood playground.
Their new home is already restoring treasured traditions. Duffy’s family hosted their first playdate in two years this spring, returning to something they loved before temporary housing.
“There are so many beautiful things I think are going to be restored…I think creativity will come back. It’s different when you’re just kind of surviving.”
Duffy is bringing that creativity back in full force. Her first project was painting her kids’ rooms with them over spring break. Every painted wall and new piece of furniture feels like taking ownership of their future. Now, Duffy has the stability she needs to build lasting connections.
“I’m looking forward to truly connecting as a family more, and with our community, and putting down roots… I think the world is a better place when we can do that.”
Help Frame a Future for local families
Duffy’s journey from instability to putting down roots is just one example of how an affordable home can change lives.
Join our Frame a Future campaign to raise $500,000 for Gooseberry Trails, ensuring Habitat can keep the dream of homeownership achievable for more people. Right now, we are building our largest community yet, with 52 permanently affordable homes in SW Portland. Your support helps keep homeownership within reach for more families like Duffy’s.
Thanks to a generous donation match through September 30, your gift to Frame a Future can go twice as far. Learn more at: habitatportlandregion.org/frameafuture.
