“What the Central Oregon Association of Realtors (COAR) did is huge,” according to Bend Area Habitat for Humanity Community Outreach Manager Robin Cooper Engle. “Their work helps give an entire family the opportunity to realize their dream of home ownership.”
COAR enlisted several volunteers for a two-day Habitat build on June 12-13 in Bend including Todd Miller of Century 21 Lifestyles Realty, Pam Elmore of Pine Martin Properties, Dave Dunn of ReMax and Becky Felix of Deschutes County Title.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of a Habitat build,” said Felix. “As affiliate members of COAR, our company has participated many times in the past, but this is my first opportunity.”
Habitat’s mission is to provide affordable housing for low-income families, as well as home repair and weatherization for low-income homeowners. Habitat provides 20-25-year zero-interest loans, serving as both builder and mortgage company for those they serve. Since they don’t have a construction crew, they rely on volunteers.
“This is not just about what the volunteers do for Habitat,” says Engle. “These projects give volunteers the opportunity to really feel like they’re making a difference. What they’re doing is changing lives.”
The house COAR helped build in conjunaction with the COAR Young Professionals Network (YPN) will provide a family of five with their first home. The father, now re-married, was a single father when he initially applied for home ownership. Growing up with a single mother, he moved more than 25 times during his childhood. His mother worked hard, but was never able to own a home.
“Our clients work, but their income doesn’t allow them to come up with a down payment and interest,” says Engle. “Because of Habitat’s program, they can put in 600 hours of sweat equity in lieu of a down payment; they are also required to build up a savings and take home ownership and financial classes once a month for a year. As a result, they become contributing members of our community, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance.”
It typically takes four to five months to build a house, and Habitat typically has several houses being built at once. Volunteers don’t need to have any experience, just the willingness to give of their time.
“What COAR, their YPNs and other volunteers do is so significant in the lives of others,” says Engle. “It transforms the life of a family and allows their children to have a stable, consistent place to call home.”
For more information about how you or your organization can volunteer, contact Robin Cooper Engle, Community Outreach Manager, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity at 541-385-5387 x104.
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing homeownership opportunities, home repair and weatherization services to low income families and individuals in Bend and Crook County.
Media Contact, Kelly Walker, Kelly@intrepidforward.com, 541-419-9976.
