About Us
Willamette West Habitat is your independent, local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness. We believe every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety.
The Need for Affordable Housing
Every day in Washington County, low-income, hard-working families struggle to find affordable places to live. Rapidly rising rents force these families to live in unsafe, unhealthy and crowded conditions. These families often have to move once or twice a year in search of rents that stay within their reach. Because of this, children transfer from school to school, affecting their learning and their self-esteem.
Our work to generating homeownership and benefiting our community by building simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with these families has resulted in over 40 families permanently escaping poverty housing. We believe in this mission, because we have seen first-hand how affordable homeownership impacts families, children, and communities.
- Families have a chance to experience stability, build equity wealth, and have something tangible to pass on to their children.
- Children are healthier and safer. They do better in school, have higher self-esteem, and feel more hopeful toward their future.
- Communities are improved, as homeowners tend to be more active in their communities than renters and pay into the Washington County tax base.
Willamette West Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because any portion of an applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs. Willamette West Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer.
Willamette West Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Members of the Willamette West Habitat for Humanity board of directors volunteer their time and expertise to further our mission to eliminate substandard housing in Washington County. The board of directors operates independently of Habitat for Humanity International and in accordance with its own set of bylaws.
Board members meet monthly and participate in an annual full-day planning retreat. Their work includes:
- Overseeing our programs & monitoring our progress in achieving our mission,
- Engaging in strategic planning,
- Approving and monitoring our budget,
- Reviewing our annual, independent financial audit, and
- Ensuring that the organization has the resources it needs to carry out its work
Willamette West Habitat is your independent local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 2,100 active affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use the Habitat for Humanity International affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in other areas.
Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form a Habitat affiliate in their community. Fundraising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates. Habitat for Humanity International provides information, training, support and other services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.
We are committed to using our funds wisely in pursuit of providing homeownership opportunities for hardworking families in need. For each dollar spent, 80 cents goes to program activities. We respect the rights of our donors, whose support gives us the means to succeed.