Driving down SW Taylors Ferry Road, you can’t help but notice the progress at Twenty Fifth Terrace. Houses have started to rise out of the hillside at this future 17-home Habitat community.
This is truly a moment to celebrate, in what has been one of the most technically complex projects we have ever undertaken!
The year began with steady activity across the site:
- Final foundation dig-outs were completed, setting the stage for vertical construction.
- Concrete, excavation, plumbing, and framing crews were all active throughout January.
- Portland YouthBuilders raised the first volunteer wall, a powerful moment that reflects the spirit of learning, teamwork, and opportunity at the heart of this community.
Site Superintendent Greta Brown looks forward to getting the last of the slabs poured in February. Her goal is to frame 10 homes this month!
She says the first time she heard the name of this community, the word “terrace” felt daunting. But the team has been more than up to the challenge, and she’ll never forget when floor joists were installed in the very first home.
History, purpose, and promise
Undeveloped land is rare in this well-established corner of Southwest Portland. Before it became Twenty Fifth Terrace, this site was home to Capitol Hill United Methodist Church.
As the congregation dwindled and upkeep became unsustainable, church leaders asked a forward-looking question: If we can no longer be here, how can our mission live on in this neighborhood?
Their answer was both compassionate and visionary. In December 2016, they sold the land to Habitat, ensuring it would continue to serve families and strengthen community.
The church building was decommissioned and demolition began in November 2022. The church bell was placed in storage, with hopes it can be incorporated into the future neighborhood.
Putting the terrace in Twenty Fifth Terrace
Many crucial and complicated steps to develop this steeply sloped site followed, including:
- Clearing and grading the land. (Fun fact: we scraped and hauled 12,000 cubic yards of dirt, sending a lot of it to be used at West Lake Grove!)
- Creating new sidewalk and curb, including ADA ramps, along SW Taylors Ferry Road.
- Discovering a 100-year-old water line (made of wood) in the process.
- Placing, connecting, and securing HUGE underground stormwater detention pipes.
- Building massive retaining walls with giant, interlocking concrete blocks.
- Excavating foundations for 17 detached homes with private parking.
- Raising forms for plumb walls and pouring concrete after inspections.
Jesse Withers, Deputy Director of Construction, has worked on Twenty Fifth Terrace since 2021. He says, “After more than four years of navigating regulatory processes and complex site conditions, we’re thrilled to see Twenty Fifth Terrace officially move into vertical construction. This milestone reflects Habitat for Humanity Portland Region’s persistence, collaboration, and dedication to our mission that have guided the project from the start.”
Project Manager Leigh Armstrong been part of Twenty Fifth Terrace since the day she joined Habitat in 2022. After a lot of hard work behind the scenes, she says it’s impossible to overstate how exciting it is to finally see houses on the build site. She’s especially grateful to Ink Built Architecture and Westlake Consultants for their commitment through it all.
Click through the gallery below to see the old church transform into the first framed homes!
Designed for sustainability, accessibility, and lasting affordability
When complete in 2027, Twenty Fifth Terrace will provide stable, affordable housing for approximately 60–75 people. All 17 homes will be constructed to meet or exceed Earth Advantage Platinum standards, with solar-ready roofs, ductless heat pumps, and 100% electric appliances. These features support lower utility costs and healthier indoor environments.
Two of the homes are fully ADA accessible. They feature zero-step entry and clearances for wheelchair mobility throughout. In the kitchen, lower cabinets are removable for roll-under countertop access. And the bathroom features a roll-in shower. The design won the 2024 Habitat for Humanity International Accessibility Award!
Mature trees, including sequoias and Douglas firs have been preserved, to create a parklike green space. Residents will also benefit from the neighborhood’s “high opportunity” location, close to schools, parks, transit, grocery stores, and everyday essentials.
What’s next: volunteers welcome
We are ready to expand opportunities for individuals and groups to be part of building these homes. Orientations for new construction volunteers will begin on February 24 and be available every Tuesday.
Site Superintendent Greta believes volunteers are what make a Habitat home so special. “The final product isn’t a house — it’s giving families stability, peace of mind, a piece of the American dream,” she says. “I am humbled by the selflessness that I am around every day. I love coming to work to be a witness to this noble work.”
We are also excited to be part of the Pope Leo Village campaign, a multi-city initiative to inspire young people to volunteer. The heart of the effort is compassion, service, and building community together. The Pope Leo Village is sponsored by an anonymous donor, and all funds raised through the campaign will support construction of Twenty Fifth Terrace.
And we would like to thank our public funding partners: Oregon Housing and Community Services, Business Oregon, the Portland Clean Energy and Community Benefits Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Whether you support Habitat through giving, volunteering, or advocacy, your involvement helps transform this plot of land into a place where families can build stability and put down roots.
Stay tuned for more construction updates — and if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, we look forward to seeing you on site soon!
Please click here for our Volunteers page.
