Habitat's 34th Home Sweet Home: Blessing set for Saturday; Lyle family gets moving

Home Sweet Home

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 1, 2024 — Jeanette and Guillermo Chavez are in the hunt for moving boxes.

The Lyle couple and their children are set to move into the Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity’s 34th home at the corner of Kelly and 13th in The Dalles.

“We will be having a home blessing on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.,” said Sonia Chavez. “We invite anyone who supports Habitat for Humanity to come celebrate this great accomplishment! with us. Jeanette and Guillermo Chavez applied for the home last year and were selected to take ownership.

GREAT EQUALIZER

Land Ownership is one of the great equalizers in the United States of America and is key to building household wealth, according to a story in jpmorganchase.com.

Here’s why.

It provides a safety net against housing inflation. For example, those who owned homes before the latest meteoric rise in housing costs and then the inflation that came with supply-demand issues during COVID were protected against housing costs. That’s because their housing costs were already set by 30, 20 or 15-year guaranteed fixed percentage rate loans. So while inflation reared its ugly head, a homeowner with a fixed loan had a housing cost that remained flat.

Meanwhile, house prices skyrocketed and rents increased.

And those who did not own a home all of a sudden were looking at a larger down payment, while also battling the increased costs of goods and services, affecting their ability to save. That down payment became even more difficult to attain.

BEFORE and AFTER

BEFORE: Spring 2021 - Habitat purchased the lot for $60,000 from Wylesha Wilcox in 2019, according to Wasco County Property records. Habitate partitioned the lot into two lots of 3,000 square feet each for two homes, reducing costs and doubling the impact.

AFTER…. Work on two habitat homes at this corner has been transformative for the block. Low housing stock and high rent have hamstrung many locals seeking permanent housing.

How Habitat Helps

Habitat will carry the loan for homeowners who put in the physical labor. That loan doesn’t have the same requirements as banks, such as the standard 20 percent down required for a traditional loan.

“Our leaders, volunteers, board members, and donors make homeownership a real dream!,” Sophia Chavez said. “There are many sacrifices that families have to make for each other and for us through volunteer work.”

“Jeanette and Guillermo have a place to call home thanks to Columbia Gorge Habitat. They met the requirements and persevered in their ultimate goal of homeownership! Congratulations!!”

Zach Ziegenhagen, 22, of The Dalles pulls some wiring through the attic of the new house back in February.

Phil Johnson put in his volunteer hours at the corner of Kelly and 13th Street in The Dalles at the latest Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity build. Johnson said volunteering goes both ways as his time and effort provide him with a sense of fulfillment while creating a great platform to meet interesting people.

Hey Rey, you have new neighbors - In January of 2022 - Rey Mendoza is all smiles as he fits a piece of vinyl flooring around a dryer vent connection in his new home at 800 E. 13th Street in The Dalles, just next door to the Chavez’s new home.

Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity provides housing in Klickitat, Wasco and Hood River counties. There are many ways to donate - click the link above. You can also drop off usable building materials or other home items in good condition at Habitat’s ReStore, 1001 W. Sixth St., The Dalles. Proceeds from the store fund housing projects.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact columbiagorgehfh@gmail.com or call (541) 296-8817.