Building a future on her own terms
Sawdust fills the air and nail guns echo off the walls of the newest homes under construction at West Lake Grove on a bright afternoon in Lake Oswego. Eight Habitat homebuyers took part in a community build in October, as a way to meet their neighbors and learn new skills. From photos, it may be […]
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Building together: Developer partnerships expand Habitat’s impact across Portland region
Across the Portland metro area, Habitat for Humanity’s partnerships with local developers are helping to bring more affordable homes within reach for families and individuals who need them most. Two of Habitat’s newest collaborators — West Coast Home Solutions and DBS Group — are not only building high-quality homes but also investing deeply in the […]
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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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Oregon’s housing history and our mission at Habitat
On a chilly, gray morning, around 30 Habitat staff boarded a charter bus. It would carry them on a journey to understanding the history that underlies the housing challenges we address today. The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) offers the tour as part of their educational outreach. It shines a light on policies of […]
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Construction update: Progress builds across Portland region
From framing to finishing touches, our construction team is making major progress! Let’s take a look at the latest from five of our active build sites. Myrtlewood Way – Gresham As if by magic, the first building has been fully framed by our trade partners. We’re using Parr Lumber’s Opti-Frame system. Construction superintendent Travis Schultz […]
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Framing begins at West Lake Grove!
Spring is in full swing at West Lake Grove, and exciting progress is unfolding on-site! This Lake Oswego community will have 23 homes, and March was a big month for laying the groundwork—literally. March Milestones: Framing Begins! We’re using Opti-Frame at this build site. Parr pre-cuts the lumber, labels and delivers each framing package to […]
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Habitat’s roots run deep on Koinonia Farm
In 1968, Clarence Jordan, the founder of Koinonia Farm, penned a do-or-die letter to the revolutionary, interracial farming community he helped create 25 years earlier. “For several years it has been clear that Koinonia stands at the end of an era or perhaps its existence,” he began. “Its goals and methods, which were logical and […]
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Homeownership for one changes the lives of many
Growing up with seven siblings, Lorrie and her family moved a lot. More than anyone should have to. “We moved, I’d say, anywhere from two to six times a year,” Lorrie said, remembering a time when she and three of her siblings were told to lay low in the car when her mom approached a […]
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Oregon’s past may hold the key for future homeowners
In 2023, Washington State authorized a landmark study into its role in housing discrimination and the racial gap in homeownership that persists today. Released in March 2024, Washington’s historic Covenant Homeownership Study laid the groundwork for a new program that specifically targets the victims of its actions to foster homeownership. It’s time Oregon took a […]
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Global Village: Building hope in Ahuachapán
After a long hiatus, Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program is back! A group of 18 volunteers from the Portland region recently traveled to El Salvador, rolling up their sleeves to help construct safe housing. This was the first Global Village build since 2020, marking a powerful return to international service after the pandemic. In […]
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