Dear Friends and Colleagues,
What a month it has been. Though life has been stressful as a result of COVID-19, we remain thankful: for our work to support one another, for our community’s response to need, and for our shared commitment to provide affordable housing in South County.
Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver, its leaders and staff, volunteers, and homeowners, have been hard at work these past few weeks.
- Core Habitat staff are working remotely, spending time with family while managing our programs under changing circumstances. Habitat's volunteer board, Family Services staff, and Construction Committee staff continue to support current and new homeowners and are working to adjust plans for a safe and well-supported build.
- 2020 construction is underway. We have laid the foundations for the next three Putney Place townhouses and are considering options for construction which can respond to changing conditions. We are working with three amazing homeowner families as they, like all of us, adapt to this unexpected and unprecedented time.
- Habitat's staff are staying in touch with volunteers to plan for their help on the build and in the ReStore; and working with our incredible community partners to make sure we are helping one another in South County
- We closed our ReStore in mid-March in order to protect our employees and our shoppers, focusing on essential tasks in the store to be sure we can reopen swiftly when able. Our ReStore staff have completed a deep 'spring' cleaning and are now at home with their families.
COVID-19 has already affected many of the homeowners we support. In South County, several have lost work: in restaurants and in hospitality businesses, in other retail shops now closed, or in hourly wage or self-employment work which is suspended. Our homeowners and our home repairs clients are our extended family, and we have worked with them and on their behalf to make sure that each of our families has what they need to live and be sustained. Specifically:
- Habitat launched an emergency homeowner support fund, with monies from its own reserves and with support from Sunriver Christian Fellowship and from the Ford Family Foundation. We are helping four families who need assistance making mortgage payments, and we anticipate extending that support as needed.
- Habitat La Pine Sunriver leaders are working with Habitat Oregon and Habitat International colleagues to coordinate and share best practices. In Central Oregon, Habitat is a key leader in ongoing conversations about housing and homelessness through the Central Oregon Health Council, Housing 4 All, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, and others.
Our world today looks very different than it did just a month ago, yet we are still proud and thankful for all we share: with you, our family in South County, and with the many around the world who, like us, are striving to ensure that every family has a place to call home. We'll write again soon with another update on Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver programs, and we invite you to follow us on
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for news in the meantime. Until then, stay safe and well- and thank you for your commitment to our community.
With Gratitude,
