Blog

From Habitat Home to Law School Dreams: Aisha’s Journey

Written by Karen WersteinWhen Aisha Osman was in elementary school, her large family moved into their Habitat for Humanity home in Vance Place, Beaverton. What seemed like a simple move would become the foundation for extraordinary achievements—and dreams that stretch from Portland to Somalia. For Aisha’s family, their Habitat home wasn’t just a house, it […]

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Media Advisory: Leaders from state, county and city governments come together to build homes with Habitat for Humanity

WHAT: Leaders from state, county, and city governments will be swinging hammers together at one of Habitat for Humanity’s newest communities in Gresham, Myrtlewood Way, featuring 20 homes with 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms, that will house over 80 people.  Joining Habitat for Humanity at this site celebration event at the Myrtlewood Way property will […]

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Building a Future: Ro-Suhana’s Journey from Habitat Home to Honors College

She may still be in college, but Ro-Suhana has the life experience of someone older. And looking back, she’s clear about the role that her Habitat for Humanity home at Glisan Gardens played.  “Having that stability gave me the hope of not having to stress over housing and made me able to focus on things […]

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From contractions to construction: Mohammad and Fatuma’s Habitat journey

Written by Karen Werstein Some dreams begin in the most unexpected places. For Mohammad and Fatuma, their journey to homeownership started in a hospital room—completing their Habitat for Humanity application between contractions. Just two hours after submitting their paperwork, baby Safwan arrived, making them a family of four with hope for a home of their […]

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Unlocking Homeownership: Highlights from the 2025 legislative session

Written by Sarah Radcliffe, Habitat Portland Region’s Director of Government Relations Oregon Governor Tina Kotek recently visited our Century Commons community in Hillsboro. She signed a package of middle housing bills that she described as “creative, practical solutions to increase the supply of homes as fast as we can.”   These bills have the potential to […]

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Transforming neighborhood eyesore into affordable homes 

Written by Karen Werstein As a prominent street in the King neighborhood, there’s so much to love about Killingsworth Street — delicious restaurants, unique shops, and vibrant energy. Young musicians bustle into classes at Ethos Music Center, and live music often rings out from nearby churches and bars.  But one corner has been a source […]

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Advancing Black Homeownership

As part of our 2023-2027 strategic plan, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region launched an Advancing Black Homeownership Initiative focused on removing barriers to homeownership for Black households. This initiative is part of a national strategy led by Habitat for Humanity International, alongside many affiliates across the United States who are developing comprehensive strategies for advancing […]

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A New Deck, a Renewed Peace of Mind: Dick’s Story 

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 […]

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Construction update: Summer build season in full swing!

There’s no slowing down at Habitat Portland Region. Every day brings visible progress and powerful moments. From the sound of hammers, to the joy of handing over keys, this is what building community looks like. Myrtlewood Way – Gresham This 20-home community in the Rockwood neighborhood is making great strides, thanks to the efforts of […]

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Introducing our new Bank of America Student Leaders

Habitat for Humanity Portland Region is happy to welcome four inspiring interns to our team this summer! They’re participating in Bank of America’s Student Leaders program, which connects more than 300 students with paid internships at nonprofits nationwide. Joining us are Auveen Shafaei, Chelsea Teh, Ishana Senthil, and Jiya Mehta. These dedicated students will spend […]

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