West Tuality Habitat for Humanity (WTHFH) is one of 28 Oregon affiliates. We have been building and repairing homes in western Washington County since 1993. Our service district boundary starts at Dairy Creek, west of Hillsboro and extends west, south and north to the county lines. It includes the cities of Forest Grove, Cornelius, Gaston, Banks and the western part of North Plains and the unincorporated communities of Gales Creek, Cherry Grove and surrounding areas.

 

Having an affiliate that serves western Washington County is important because the shortage and cost of affordable housing. In our service district 21% of families are low-income, many not English proficient. In 2016, a Homeowner Impact Study by Habitat for Humanity gauged the impact their homeowners experienced since purchasing their home. Of those who participated in the Homeowner Impact Study:

 

•          91% of surveyed Habitat homeowners believe the lives of their family members are better since becoming a Habitat homeowner.
•          65% of Habitat homeowners say they feel safe inside their Habitat home.
•          Homeowners living “paycheck to paycheck” dropped from 69% to 19%.
•          There was a 15% decrease in chronic housing-related illnesses for Habitat homeowners after moving into their Habitat home.
•          34% of adults in Habitat homes have started or completed a higher education or training program since moving into their Habitat home.
•         
  
  53% reported their children have received better grades since living in a Habitat home.

 

(source: 2016 WWHFH Homeowners Impact Survey)

 

For over a quarter of a century, West Tuality Habitat for Humanity has provided decent, affordable housing for low-income families in our service area. In that time, we’ve completed a number of clean, new energy-efficient homes for our partner families, who invest time and "sweat equity", helping to build the homes they own and occupy.

 

In 2007 we opened a ReStore, recycling home goods and building materials, significantly reducing the flow of waste into landfills and providing a source of affordable used items for home construction, repair and community improvement. The ReStore is located at 3731 Pacific Avenue in Forest Grove and is open

Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. 

 

 Each year WTHFH provides some 2,000 hours of job training, 1,500 disabled worker hours, 5,000 volunteer hours and dozens of community service hours. We utilize hundreds of volunteers, including college students and seniors. We also provide education and training in home construction and tool use, job services and counseling.

 

West Tuality Habitat is currently seeking volunteers interested in helping our affiliate fulfill its mission of service. There are currently opportunities in new home construction, home repair, helping in the ReStore, office work and other areas. For more information or to volunteer, contact Sig Unander, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 503-359-8459 or e-mail: volunteer@westtualityhabitat.org.