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 […]

System development charges (SDCs)— those one-time fees tacked onto new construction projects — have become a staple for local governments across Oregon.  Faced with declining revenue from state and federal sources, and Oregon’s limit on property taxes, cities, counties, and special districts lean on these charges to fund basic systems and infrastructure. In fact, the […]

At Habitat, spring is giving way to summer sun and fabulous floors! Learn how homeowners, volunteers, and staff are springing ahead on our most active construction sites.  Alder Commons   Big moves are underway at our 8-home community in Hillsboro known as Alder Commons. The paving is complete, painting, stair construction and siding installation are […]

The Portland region is rich with multicultural and multilingual communities, and everyone should have a chance to be engaged and get involved. That’s why overcoming language barriers for volunteers and homebuyers is a priority for Habitat for Humanity Portland Region.   Bri Lopez, Habitat’s volunteer program director, noticed that when prospective homebuyers are volunteering with Habitat, […]

Habitat for Humanity’s Playhouse Experience is back, and with the teamwork of long-time supporters from Avangrid, we already have our first new playhouse ready to go.  The Playhouse Experience partners with a team of volunteers to build and decorate custom spaces for kids going through a life-altering loss in their family. Children who would especially benefit […]

Jasmine and her sons outside their Habitat home. Photo by Tonya Wright Jasmine was just 10 years old when she lost her mother, a single parent. Following her sudden death, Jasmine and her older brother were separated, and shuttled between Portland-area foster care and group homes, and occasionally experienced homelessness.  That’s when she made a […]

Call it a bug, a race car or even a lunar lander, the jungle gym in the center of Denney Garden’s new playground is now open to fire up a host of children’s imaginations.  On May 6, it was surrounded by Habitat volunteers, donors, and staff for a commemoration to celebrate the playground’s completion — […]

On the Saturday following International Women’s Day, nearly 30 women stood under sunny skies in the crisp morning air, waiting to learn how to use all kinds of tools, from a simple hammer to an electric table saw. They made small talk while sipping coffee, learning each other’s names from the writing taped to their […]