Written by Karen Werstein
Some dreams begin in the most unexpected places. For Mohammad and Fatuma, their journey to homeownership started in a hospital room—completing their Habitat for Humanity application between contractions. Just two hours after submitting their paperwork, baby Safwan arrived, making them a family of four with hope for a home of their own.
Both Mohammad and Fatuma had always wanted to own a home, but the path seemed unclear. The turning point came when Fatuma visited a friend’s beautiful house at Denney Gardens in Beaverton and learned it was purchased through Habitat for Humanity. The idea wasn’t entirely new. Fatuma remembered her mother had tried to apply years earlier, but now it felt possible. She was inspired to look into it for her growing family.
As first-generation potential homeowners, they worried the process would be too complicated and overwhelming. “We didn’t know if our dream could ever become a reality,” Fatuma shared. But working with Habitat proved to be surprisingly smooth and supportive.
Building Confidence, One Class at a Time
“Habitat gave us confidence through their classes and programs,” Mohammad explains. The educational component wasn’t just helpful—it was transformative. They looked forward to learning about homeownership and felt excited about passing that knowledge on to their children, something they hadn’t experienced growing up.
Their newfound confidence has created a ripple effect. Fatuma’s mother is now considering applying again, and within Fatuma’s large Somali community, friends are showing interest too. Through Fatuma’s experience, her friends and family see an opportunity they didn’t realize was possible, creating hope for other families who thought homeownership was out of reach.
Mohammad knows something about not giving up. He’s currently a student at Portland Community College, working toward his commercial pilot license through the Hillsboro Aero Academy. Mohammad draws parallels between learning to fly and pursuing homeownership. “At first it was scary and very difficult. I was so scared I almost didn’t come back. But I kept coming back and trying harder. I told myself not to give up. Every day gets easier.” And he plans to keep working toward his goal to be an international pilot.
This persistence also served them well in their homeownership journey. Mohammad had actually applied once before, but couldn’t prove consistent income at the time. Rather than abandon their dream, he and Fatuma completed all the necessary steps and tried again—even while expecting their second child.
A New Beginning at Myrtlewood Way
Their determination paid off. Mohammad and Fatuma were accepted and will soon purchase an affordable four-bedroom home at Myrtlewood Way, an exciting new Habitat for Humanity development located in Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood.
The development is located near Nadaka Nature Park and features a beautiful green space with mature Doug Fir trees—perfect for their two energetic young children. The location not only offers walkable access to parks, but also a grocery store and the Gresham ReStore, creating a community where their family can truly thrive.
Investing in the Future
The difference between renting and owning feels profound to this young family. “Renting feels like a pit,” Fatuma explains. “Now we are investing in our future. It opens everything up for us.” With the stability of homeownership, she’s planning to pursue work in the medical field, possibly as an ultrasound technician.
But perhaps most meaningfully, their new home will be a place where traditions take root. They’re excited about having space in the home for Mohammad’s parents to live and create new family traditions together. “Now we have room and can share our home with our family. We can create our own traditions together.”
