Habitat for Humanity Portland Region

A sweet celebration with Habitat homeowners! We hosted our annual event to build connections and share good food & fun 🎉 Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who make our work possible, and to our community partners who provided valuable info on everything from recycling to financial resources and DIY home maintenance 💙 Did you know that we offer FREE homeownership education classes throughout the year? And they’re open to the public, too! Check the schedule on our website and learn how you can get involved - https://lnkd.in/g_BZ2_Sh

Don’t leave ladder safety to luck! Every year, thousands of people are treated for ladder-related injuries. The leading cause? Setting up an incorrect angle when using an extension ladder. The bottom of the ladder should be one-quarter of the ladder’s working length away from the wall. This 4-to-1 pitch ratio creates a 75-degree angle. It might sound complicated, but there’s an easy way to check! 🪜 Place your extension ladder against the vertical work surface or wall. Stand with your toes in line with the first rung. 🙌 Reach your arms out straight in front of you ❌ If your hands do not reach a rung, the ladder base is set too far from the wall. This increases the chance of the ladder’s footpads slipping. ❌ If your hands go beyond the rungs, the ladder base is set too close to the wall. This steepness increases the chance of the ladder tipping backward. ✅ If your hands comfortably rest on the rung at shoulder height, the angle is correct! Here are a few bonus tips to stay safe: • Never lean a step ladder (A-frame) against a wall in place of an extension ladder unless it's specially designed for such use ("lean safe" ladder). • Always ensure your ladder is on level ground, has four points of contact, and is securely locked. Also check for any damage and ensure the work area is safe. • Always keep your center of balance over your ladder. Leaning out may result in the ladder kicking or tipping. Save this guide so you’ll know how to set up the proper angle, whether you’re on a Habitat build site or working on your own!

After a lifetime of renting, Larry became a first-time homebuyer in 2021 through Habitat 🏡  “It means security,” Larry said. “Something I know I can give down to the family. A generation’s wealth.”  Read more about Larry’s path to homeownership and the power of building equity on our blog - https://lnkd.in/gCDCD3ET 

On average, each year of homeownership results in an additional $9,500 in equity that can be passed down to the next generation. Habitat is framing a future where everyone can reach financial stability, build equity in their homes, and create lasting opportunities for economic advancement. Read more about the financial and generational impacts of homeownership - https://lnkd.in/g97uvCiF

That feeling when you walk through your future neighborhood ❤️❤️ Our Century Commons community will have 18 new, affordable homes, with a play area for Yohana and other children. A home is more than just a place to live, it’s a place to dream, grow and love. Thank you for sharing this sweet moment with us!

Meet Lynn, a volunteer at our Habitat for Humanity Portland Region ReStores in Gresham! She brings a passion for preserving the planet and helping people in need. Lynn ran a sustainable design business for more than a decade. Now she lends her skilled hands to keep the ReStore shelves stocked, organized, and looking good for customers ✨ “This is helping to support the whole mission of Habitat to build homes for underserved communities. It's a rewarding thing,” Lynn said. Head to our our blog to be inspired by Lynn - https://lnkd.in/geKW7pik

This beautiful area in North Portland is the planned site of 50 townhomes! The Carey Boulevard Project is a partnership with the City of Portland and Metro regional government. We recently toured the site with State Sen. Lew Frederick, State Rep. Travis E. Nelson, and representatives from the city’s housing bureau.   “I think this project is an important next step for this neighborhood because it will be bringing permanent housing for families who have been historically displaced from North and Northeast Portland,” wrote Nelson in a note to constituents soon after the tour. Learn more about the communities we’re currently building across the Portland region –  https://lnkd.in/g4z5m84j 

We'll be at the Volunteer Expo tomorrow! Will we see you there?

A healthy, stable home is the foundation for a healthy life. After moving into Habitat homes, children who had suffered from asthma and allergies saw their health dramatically improve, and mental health outcomes improve for the entire household. Habitat envisions a future of healthy homes and healthy lives for all. Read about the connection between home health and personal well-being here - https://lnkd.in/gxHXEp7H

We had a staff build day at our West Lake Grove community in Lake Oswego this week. The task? Remove old siding from a trailer that will be used as our construction team’s office. It was starting to let water into the wall cavity and wasn’t going to be pleasant in the winter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So our staff enjoyed some late-summer sunshine (before this heatwave!) and pulled SO MANY nails. It was satisfying to see how much progress was made by the end of the day, and fun to get to know each other outside of the office 🙌