Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East mobilizes local, affordable housing work.
(April 5, 2018)—This April 11th marks the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The act, passed just a week following the tragic death of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., laid out an ambitious vision: to eliminate housing discrimination and residential segregation. Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East announced plans today to honor the legacy of Dr. King and the Fair Housing Act at their upcoming HopeBuilder Breakfast on April 25th.
“We’ve come a long way in 50 years but there is still much work to be done to truly build on the legacy of Dr. King and the Fair Housing Act,” stated Steve Messinetti, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. “Despite the historic nature of the Act, opportunities for affordable housing are not equal across racial lines. There are zero neighborhoods affordable to rent or buy for the average black, Latino, and Native American families in Portland.”
Habitat for Humanity will host an inspiring keynote speaker, Natosha Reid Rice, at their 18th annual HopeBuilder Breakfast on April 25th. Rice is the Associate Pastor at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the pastoral home of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also serves as the Associate General Counsel at Habitat for Humanity International. Natosha is passionate about using her voice to provide opportunities to communities that have been historically disadvantaged. Also during the event, Habitat CEO, Steve Messinetti, will share upcoming plans for expanding local, affordable home construction and how Habitat is addressing the minority homeownership gap.
This year, Reverand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, Bernice King, invited Habitat for Humanity to participate in honoring her father’s legacy. Over the next year, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International and The King Center’s MLK 50 Forward initiative, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is renewing and strengthening its commitment to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live and the opportunity for a better future.
“We are thrilled to honor Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community,” said Steve Messinetti, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. “When we build houses, we also build bridges between people of diverse backgrounds, we build paths to more connected communities, and we build ways for all people to come together.”
The HopeBuilder Breakfast will raise funds for the local Habitat for Humanity to build and repair homes for 180 people in Portland in 2018. Over 90% of people who purchase affordable homes from Habitat in Portland are people of color, helping to address the minority homeownership gap. The HopeBuilder Breakfast is free to attend. Reserve your free spot today online at: https://habitatportlandmetro.org/hbb
About Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent, affordable place to live. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home while paying an affordable mortgage. Habitat is the only organization in the Portland Metro area that consistently offers homeownership opportunities to homebuyers making as little as $30,000. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable homeownership, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Learn more at habitatportlandmetro.org.
