Funding now in place for future Habitat for Humanity homes in Scappoose

Providing housing and wealth-building opportunities for Scappoose residents was a common refrain during a check-handing event at the future location of a new housing development.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and other regional partners traveled to Scappoose on Wednesday, May 29, to see the future site of 10 town homes for low-income families that will be built by Columbia County Habitat for Humanity. Bonamici joined Scappoose Mayor Joe Backus and representatives from Habitat at a vacant lot located between Southeast Oak and Myrtle and Third and Fourth streets, the future location of the homes.

“We heard the stories from homeowners about what it means to be able to get into a home, to have that home ownership opportunity," Bonamici said at the event. "It’s just wonderful to be able to be at the early stages of the process to get it up and going.”

Jennifer Anderson, executive director of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity, said she expects construction of the homes to be completed within the next year.

“We’re going to work on the infrastructure on that, then open up the application process,” Anderson said. “We’ll need to build this in phases, because we don’t have the capacity to build the whole project all at once.”

Habit for Humanity homes, according to Anderson, are built with the help of families who devote 400 hours of “sweat equity” on their homes. Volunteer help is also welcomed.

Debbie Ritthaler, who bought the first Habit for Humanity Columbia County home in St. Helens in 2001, was also on hand during the ceremony. She said that decision changed her life.

“It was a life saver,” Ritthaler said. “I lived in an upstairs apartment with my four boys … We were never going to be able to own our own home. With Habitat for Humanity, it changed everything. I had a home for my children. They could have friends over. They had a backyard to play in. They had a pet. It was amazing.”

Columbia County Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith said she’s excited about the project.

“It’s monumental for Columbia County that we would have this many houses in one area being developed. It’s going to be a fun project for many years to come,” Smith said.

Building partnerships to build homes

The Habitat for Humanity homes are made possible in large part by federal and state funding, including through the work of Bonamici.

“(U.S. Rep.) Bonamici was able to get us, through appropriations, some community project funding,” Anderson said. “We’re bringing together other funding sources, and so we want to celebrate that the federal, state and local governments have worked together to make this project possible.”

Bonamici said the $280,000 comes from the appropriations process in Washington D.C.

“It’s federal dollars,” she said. “Members of Congress have the opportunity to submit a limited number of community project funding requests. Needless to say, there are many more requests that come in then we can grant … Habitat for Humanity is a program that really is making a difference in turning lives around.”

Anderson said Business Oregon, through their Economic Equity Investment program, has given Habit for Humanity $144,000 for construction of the infrastructure.

“I’m just really excited to be a part of it," Brian Plinski of Business Oregon said. "The program that I manage for the agency is really geared toward supporting self sufficiency, economic stability and wealth-building opportunities. ... We’re fulfilling the mission of the program, which is to create opportunities for wealth building for under-represented families, particularly in rural communities. Ten home sites, 10 new homeowners; it’s remarkable.”

Also, the city of St. Helens has directed some American Rescue Plan money to help with waterline replacement. They are donating engineering for the waterline, as well.

“I think this is a really good development, a lot of people were able to come together to make this work,” Backus said. “The city, through the COVID relief fund, was able to allocate $250,000 to some main waterline upgrades. We were also able to direct $50,000 directly to Habitat for Humanity for their waterline hookup.”

“Eventually, the property taxes will go toward the city to help pay for public safety and other things, so I think it’s a really good opportunity for all of us," he continued. "It’s 10 houses, 10 families that maybe wouldn’t be able to afford housing, to buy their own house otherwise. This will give them the opportunity to have home ownership, build equity and stay in Scappoose.”

Anderson expressed her gratitude for the numerous partners that came together to make the future housing development possible.

“This is a huge project for us, and we really appreciate everyone coming together to make this project possible," she said. "… It really takes the whole community to make these dreams come true for these low-income families.”