Join us in supporting the Community Housing Fund 100/$1000 Campaign

The Community Housing Fund:
Located in Beaverton, this organization leverages its funds by as much as ten to one to build low cost housing for those most in need. Not everyone can work. Not all workers can make enough to afford a place to live. Affordable housing prorates housing costs so that people can have a home of their own as they get on their feet. Consider...

• According to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), housing must cost a household less than 30% of its total annual income to be considered affordable.
• In 2005, Washington County's population is estimated to be 494, 109 and the projected population for 2010 is 548, 216, assuming the county continues to grow at the same rate it has during the last five years.
• The median household income in Oregon is $58,600 in 2004. A minimum wage worker made just $15,080.
• Approximately 34% of households in the county have very low, low, or moderate incomes and a significant percentage of these face some housing problem. Housing problems include: 1) A cost burden - spending more than 30% of monthly income on housing. 2) Overcrowding - more than 1.01 persons per room. 3) A lack of a complete kitchen or plumbing facilities.
• In 2005 median home prices in Washington County increased 23% from the previous year.
• There are 15,430 households in the 0-30% of median annual income range. For this group, there is currently only one affordable unit per 4.8 households. These households are forced to spend more on their rent than they can afford, often leading to a lack of money for food, electricity or other essentials.
• For the 33,387 households in the 30-50% of median income group, there is a gap of 10,292 units.
• According to a survey of emergency food box recipients conducted by the Oregon Food Bank, 51% spend over 50% of their monthly income on housing while 25% spend more than 75% of their income on housing.

Hardworking people should be able to afford housing and still have enough money for groceries and other basic necessities. Children deserve an opportunity to succeed in school and in life, which is tied to having a stable home. Housing gives people the opportunity to build better lives. To succeed you need a place to call home. Everyone appreciates having a safe, decent place to live.