December 2021—Here are some highlights and accomplishments from 2021. Thank you to our hardworking volunteers and generous donors and sponsors for helping us build homes, communities and hope.
In January, our volunteer construction crew started working on the first home within our 18-home planned development in Silverton. The City granted us permission to build one home prior to approval of the overall development.
In January, our affiliate adopted a strategic plan with ambitious goals that will guide our actions for the next three years. These goals were developed at a Board and Staff retreat held on Oct. 17, 2020. They will solidify, improve and expand the operations of the North Willamette Valley affiliate and its ReStores. Our bold overarching goal is to increase our production by building five homes per year within three years. Click HERE for more information and to view key goals.
Our construction crew built a wheelchair accessible ramp for a family in Woodburn, as part of Habitat’s Ramps and Rails program. Thank you to the volunteers who helped with this project. Shoutout to Andy, George and John!
NWV Habitat Board Member Dixon Bledsoe organized a fundraiser that allowed us to purchase a much needed new construction trailer. Thanks to generous community members, more than $10,000 was raised in two weeks!
In June, the Silverton City Council approved our 18-home planned development. Stories were featured in the Statesman Journal and Our Town. This project is the largest to date for the affiliate, and is the first step in addressing a grave shortage of affordable housing for a diverse population within this rural community. It will house up to 18 local families, including members of the BIPOC, senior and veteran communities.
The Constante family was selected as a partner family for the first home within the planned development. We’re excited to partner with this young family of five who is currently living in a small, two-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment in Woodburn. Click HERE to learn more about the family and to see pictures.
In August, two Habitat AmeriCorps members (Kate & Ben) joined our team. Having them on board for a year will allow us to make progress on the planned development while finishing the Ortega home in Woodburn.
In August (after a series of unexpected and complicated setbacks), we finally received the building permit for the Ortega family's home in Woodburn. Since then, the construction crew has been working hard to get the home completed as soon as possible.
Congressman Kurt Schrader made a trip to Silverton on Oct. 11 to tour the site of North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity’s planned development. During the visit, Schrader met with NWV Habitat staff and board members, as well as the partner family who will move into the first home built within the development. He learned more about the project, including construction and the family selection process, as well as the critical need for funding to cover infrastructure costs. Schrader said he was pleased to see the progress being made on this project.
North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 18-home planned development in Silverton could receive a massive funding boost. As part of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, the affiliate could receive $1 million to help cover the cost of infrastructure for the first two phases of the project. The affiliate submitted an Oregon Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding request through the offices of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden. Merkley serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and is working to secure investments that will support critical housing and transportation projects across the state, including NWV Habitat's Schemmel Lane Development. Stay tuned for more updates!