This past spring, Bend Area Habitat initiated an exciting new partnership with BendBroadband to provide Habitat Homeowners with access to low-cost, high-speed internet. BendBroadband's program primarily helps families with school-age children connect to the internet at home to stay competitive in the classroom. Over 20 Habitat Homeowners have already signed up for this service.

In addition, BendBroadband generously provided us with a $2,000 Technology Grant to purchase basic laptop computers and cover other technology-related needs for Habitat families. This funding allowed us to purchase and distribute 7 laptop computers to Habitat families as well as cover the expense of iPad insurance for 19 Habitat children.  

We are thrilled to be working with BendBroadband and hope to continue this partnership well into the future!

We'd also like to give special thanks to Jacob Johnson with ExperTech Solutions for helping us source and purchase the laptop computers.   

Did you know that Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is the only affordable housing builder that serves applicants within 35 - 60% of the area median income? For a family of four, making $21,000, it is possible to purchase a home, however, that is likely, only through Habitat for Humanity. At least in Bend, Oregon. 

We all know affordable housing is nearly impossible for our working class families. This might explain why our June 29th Housing Partnership Program Information Session was well attended. We handed out 66 applications and 31 applications were returned. That's almost 50%. A much higher rate of return than in years past. The range of applicants was broad as well; from single, senior applicants to 2-person households up to six person households.

The hard part will be selecting only five of these families!

This year, in partnership with NeighborImpact, we offered three workshops prior to our Information Session for potential applicants. Our goal was to teach people how to pull their own free, annual credit report and determine their personal debt-to-income ratio. This allowed attendees to become connected with credit coaching and planning for debt management. Participants responded positively and were able to have a better picture of their financial health.

An interesting trend in our applicants was that in addition to medical debt we are starting to see more school loan debt which makes it difficult for them to qualify for a home loan. Estimating a deferred loan payment often pushes an applicant above the qualifying debt-to-income range.

As usual, after one of our housing information sessions I am left knowing some wonderful people, each with a history that leaves me feeling like I want to hug and help every one of them!

~DeeDee Johnson    

Homeownership Services Manager