
The state of housing in the midst of a crisis
Homeownership’s connection to economic stability, improved educational outcomes and better health is well documented. But amid an unprecedented housing crisis, homeownership — and the potential it brings — is financially no longer an option for a growing number of people. The crisis has been decades in the making, a combination of low supply and excessive […]
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Celebrate Juneteenth with Habitat!
Join us on Saturday, June 15, for a day of community, culture, and celebration at the Juneteenth Oregon Festival, hosted by Juneteenth Oregon. This annual event kicks off with a vibrant parade at 11 am, starting from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, heading south on MLK, and concluding at Lillis-Albina Park. The festival runs […]
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A year of change: how Hayley found her dream home with Habitat for Humanity
A lot can change in a year. In June 2023, Hayley was getting priced out of her small one-bedroom apartment in Northeast Portland, all while trying to support herself and her husband, who was temporarily out of a job due to health issues, on just her single income. But now, in June 2024, she and […]
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Building dreams: A look back at the 2024 HopeBuilder Lunch
The excitement of working together to help communities reach their full potential filled the air at Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s 2024 HopeBuilder Lunch, April 24, which highlighted Habitat’s work, the impact on the lives of homeowners, and the innovative ways we can transform neighborhoods for better. The annual event drew nearly 1,000 eventgoers to […]
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“There’s no place like home:” Ambassador Council member Christopher Brown writes on the hope built into every Habitat home
Christopher Brown, third from right, joins his Ambassador Council working at the Alder Commons build site in Hillsboro. As a second-generation Portlander, my affinity for this city runs deep. And while some of those reasons are related to things like my family, the summer months, and the food scene, my deepest sense of gratitude comes […]
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Martin Luther King Jr. and the fight for housing justice
In the final years of his life, Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy was already cemented with his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But one key element in civil rights was still missing in his view: housing justice. […]
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State’s asset-building program worth greater investment, housing advocates say
We’ve heard it countless times: It takes money to make money. Buying a home takes a down payment, launching a business means start-up capital, going to college requires advanced tuition. These investments are cornerstones to creating economic stability and building generational wealth, but not everyone is able to unlock those opportunities. For many Oregonians, Individual […]
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Habitat for Humanity named Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Awardee
Habitat for Humanity named Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Awardee Habitat for Humanity Portland Region is excited and deeply honored to receive Bank of America’s prestigious Neighborhood Builders Award for 2023. Habitat, along with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, (MESO) was selected for our work of advancing economic mobility and building up neighborhoods in the […]
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A career in the trades takes hold with Habitat
Tired of working retail and warehouse gigs, Leo Ochoa began to take greater stock in the words of his father. “My dad told me, do whatever you want, whatever you like.” Leo said. “Don’t try to get a job just for the sake of making money.” What he wanted was to be hands on, working […]
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Rosalynn Carter’s lifetime of service and inspiration
It’s been decades since former first lady Rosalynn Carter was in the national spotlight, but it was after she left the White House, as a private citizen, when her light shined brightest. With her passing on Nov. 19, we pause to honor her humanitarian spirit, and the inspiring work she pursued to improve the lives […]
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