Oregon’s new racial, implicit bias education intended to curb disparities in home valuations
Creative Commons Home appraisers seeking certification in Oregon will now receive training on implicit and racial bias, a move state lawmakers and housing advocates hope will help curb racial disparities in home appraisals. The new requirement, passed by the Oregon Legislature this session, is intended to address the tide of research showing considerable gaps between […]
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New home opens new possibilities for Elijah and family
For Elijah, owning a home has always been a far-fetched dream, something people did decades ago but was no longer a realistic goal for those living in today’s economy. So, when he found out he’d been selected as a future homeowner at Alder Commons, Habitat’s 8-home community in Hillsboro, he almost didn’t believe it was […]
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Habitat for Humanity Portland Region receives $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo to expand access to affordable homes in Hillsboro and SE Portland
Portland, OR (August 17, 2023) –The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Habitat for Humanity Portland Region $100,000 to build affordable homes in the Portland region. Habitat Portland Region is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program and Welcome Home initiative to help […]
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Sun’s out, hard hats out for Habitat volunteers
It’s summer volunteer season at Habitat build sites! This summer promises to be big for Habitat volunteers who are helping finish several communities, while our construction team is getting new sites ready for building. Here’s a brief rundown of construction work underway at three of our communities in the metro area. Alder Commons Work at […]
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Reyna’s Habitat home a fresh start with unlimited possibilities
Walking into Reyna’s home in Northeast Portland, one thing about her is immediately clear: This woman loves purple. The lavender and white ombre curtains are drawn in the summertime, keeping the living area cool, even on the third floor. A plush, tri-color blanket in violet hues is draped over the sofa, complimenting the purple […]
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For Amelia, volunteering with Habitat sets the stage for a new career
Little girls often dream of becoming princesses, ballerinas, fashionistas and movie stars. Amelia Byko wanted to build houses. As a child, Amelia built houses out of anything she could find. She fashioned her first one out of a jewelry box with the drawers rearranged to represent bedrooms. She makes these miniature dollhouse-like projects in all […]
Read MoreStatement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling to reverse affirmative action in higher education. Habitat for Humanity Portland Region reaffirms our commitment to our DEI strategy and more specifically, anti-racism and the importance of advancing racial equity in working to achieve our mission. As a global housing organization, we know the crucial role both stable […]
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Habitat, Proud Ground testify on expanding property tax exemptions in Portland
This week, the Portland City Council voted to significantly increase the number of privately developed homes eligible to receive the Homeownership Opportunity Limited Tax Exemption, or HOLTE, on homes sold to low- or moderate-income families. This expansion encourages private development of affordable housing, and creates opportunities to leverage even greater affordability in partnership with nonprofit […]
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Conversation: Housing advocate Claire Hall talks about LGBTQ+ challenges to housing
Claire Hall (she/her) came out as transgender in 2018, at a time when transgender people faced — and continue to face — misunderstandings and a lack of acceptance in the wider community. But she counts herself lucky in many ways, and one in particular. “I was already a homeowner,” she said. A long-time housing advocate […]
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Rebekah’s fixer-upper now a point of pride in her neighborhood
Rebekah, a homeowner in Northeast Portland, sipped cool water under the shade of a tree in her yard, waving to neighbors walking their dogs and inhaling the sweet aroma of freshly bloomed white and pink roses growing in her garden. Life only recently became this blissful for Rebekah and her daughter. The two of them […]
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