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Welcoming New Homeowners

This week's Asian Reporter includes a story that I wrote about new homeowners through the local Habitat for Humanity. While Portland has always attracted newcomers from across the world,  the pace of change in Oregon's demographics has accelerated in recent years. Newcomer families from southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America call Oregon home.

Here's a short excerpt from the story:

"Nang Langh and Cing Hau moved from Myanmar to the United States with their three children a few years ago. Getting a job and finding a safe and stable place to call home were top priorities. Connecting with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Langh began working as a Burmese and Zomi interpreter. Soon after, he landed another job at a local convenience store.

Although he was working long hours and earning more than what he was making back in Burma, finding a decent home for his family was a struggle. The family lived in an overcrowded apartment in east Portland, located next to a busy, loud night club. It was through IRCO that Langh found out about Habitat’s programs.

Habitat’s homeownership criteria, best suited for working families with a reliable income, combines need, financial education, ability to pay, and contributing "sweat equity." To qualify for a Habitat home, a household of four must earn no more than $41,640 per year. In addition, families selected for the program are required to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity — labor hours spent building their homes and the homes of their neighbors."

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