Staring Down the Homeownership Gap
Just steps beyond Jackie Jones’ front window are the homes she always longed for. A place of her own, that she could take care of properly, in the Northeast Portland neighborhood she was raised in. She can see them from her rental home’s window, but they might as well be a hundred miles away. It’s […]
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In Search of Security: Natalia’s Story
Growing up in Guatemala with her mother, father, and great grandmother, Natalia knew what secure housing felt like. The family shared a farm with aunts and cousins, and she had a stable home. However, violence and poverty surrounded them, and after the earthquake of 1972, the family connected with a nonprofit organization and ultimately relocated […]
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Leina’ala Builds Her Dream | Homeowner Story
Hula and Habitat for Humanity forever altered Leina’ala’s life. One connected her to her cultural roots; the other let her lay down new roots of her own. In August, Leina’ala became a first-time homeowner at Habitat’s Kenton Commons in Northeast Portland. But before she even had the keys, she knew every inch of her new […]
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An Accessible Home and a Lifetime of Stability | Shamsa’s Story
Shamsa and her family escaped their home in Syria when the Civil War broke out in 2016, and with the aid of the International Organization for Migration, they found refuge in America. For the next five years, Shamsa and her husband, Mohammed, raised their three elementary school-aged children, Aleen, Jameel, and Yazan, in their two-bedroom, […]
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Second Generation Habitat Homeowner | James’ story
James remembers fondly his youth in Florida, his neighborhood and friendships — a childhood he would like for his future children. He grew up in a Habitat home, and someday his kids may grow up in a Habitat home, too. The home is nearly complete, one of 31 underway at Habitat’s Cherry Blossom community in […]
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Saving a Family Legacy: Michelle’s Home Repair Story
Michelle’s home is a healing place, that recently needed healing of its own. Self-employed as a psychotherapist, Michelle uses her home in North Portland for client sessions, helping people do emotional work through difficult times. It is a stately house, nearly 100 years old, and it is steeped in family memories. On the dining room […]
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A Father of Three Builds His Children a Home | Dominic’s Story
As Dominic hammered fencing into the ground outside his future house, he took a moment to reflect on his hard work and on how far he has come in the past 10 years. What started as only a dream is becoming a reality. Although the inside of his home is only wooden framing, Dominic sees […]
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A Roof Repair, and a Dry Home | Frances’ Home Repair Story
A Roof Repair and a Dry Home | Frances’ Home Repair Story Frances, a homeowner in Northeast Portland, was going about her day when she discovered water leaking across her living room wall. When she stepped outside to find the source she discovered severe water damage in the wooden frames holding her front porch roof. […]
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Holding On To Her Dream | Abby’s Story
Abby walked inside her home currently under construction in Pleasant Valley in SE Portland, pointing towards empty rooms supported by wooden frames. As she led a tour, other volunteers and homebuyers followed behind, enthusiastically listening to Abby’s ideas for decorating her house and chiming in with some of their own. “I can’t believe my oldest […]
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“It’s a Dream Come True” | Tanisha’s Story
When Tanisha first shared her story with Habitat for Humanity in 2020, she was in the process of building her home in Northeast Portland. She had not yet received the keys to her house but was looking forward to the freedom she would have as a homeowner – a larger space, peace of mind, making […]
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