Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East

Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes, and empowers families through successful homeownership. Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global home building movement. Habitat welcomes people from all walks of life to partner in serving families in need and creating a better community for everyone who lives here.

Founded in 1981, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has been providing homeownership opportunities for hardworking families for 33 years. Habitat serves Multnomah and Northern Clackamas Counties, and has built over 295 homes in partnership with local families. Collectively, Habitat for Humanity has built over 800,000 homes worldwide, averaging one home every seven minutes.

Habitat works with qualified, low-income families to help them realize the dream of owning their own home. We believe that building equity is a long-term solution to the problem of generational poverty. Habitat is one of the only organizations that offers homeownership opportunities to hardworking families making as little as $25,865 (for a family of four). We do this through a hand-up, not hand-out model in which homeowners help to build and then buy their home from Habitat.

Here’s how it works: after completing 500 sweat equity hours, families pay a low-interest mortgage that is based on less than 30% of their monthly incomes. These payments go into the Revolving Fund for Humanity to pay it forward, helping to build more homes.

Additionally, Habitat offers home repair services to low-income homeowners, using the same low-interest loan and sweat equity model.

Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength. Habitat homeowners are committed and successful. We have experienced less than a 1% default rate on our mortgages, lower than the national average. By providing a hand up, not a handout, our program prepares and empowers those we serve.

For information about applying for one of our programs, please visit http://habitatportlandmetro.org/programs/ or call 503.287.9529.

1478 NE Killingsworth St
Portland, OR 97211
United States