Carter Work Project reflections from Habitat Portland Region staff
While the daily rhythms of construction and volunteer work continued in Portland, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s Deputy Director of Construction Programs, Jesse Withers, and Director of Volunteer Engagement, Liz Connor, joined 2,500 volunteers in Atlanta, GA, for the 40th annual Carter Work Project. “It was a sea of blue hard hats,” says Jesse. A tide of […]
Read More
Championing affordable homeownership: outcomes from the 2026 short legislative session
Written by Sarah Radcliffe, Habitat Portland Region’s Director of Government Relations The 2026 legislative short session has concluded, and Habitat Portland Region showed up strong. Thank you to all of our community members who continue to advocate for affordable housing investment. Here’s where things landed. Outcomes from the short session First, two bills we hoped would succeed did not cross the finish line. The LIFT program (Local […]
Read More
Global Village reflections from El Salvador
When volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Portland Region arrived at their worksites in Ahuachapán, El Salvador, there were just string lines marking where homes would someday stand. By the end of the week, those same sites held hand-dug foundations, carefully tied rebar, and freshly poured cement — the first tangible steps toward safe, stable housing for […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More