In a significant stride toward increasing homeownership in Oregon, the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has reportedly assisted 269 state residents in becoming homeowners last year. With a considerable disbursement of nearly $10 million provided to homebuyers through their Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program, an average of $28,315 was allocated per homebuyer.
This financial support comes as a blessing for homes that run an average tab of $339,689, too steep for many to handle alone. Notably, as reported by the OHCS announcement, a significant portion of these beneficiaries, about 55%, identify as people of color, and 150 were trumpeted as first-generation homebuyers.
One of the more poignant stories of success is that of Angele Graham from White City, Jackson County. Her battle against financial and health hurdles since 2017, coupled with the rent hikes following the sale of her rental home during the pandemic, embodies the challenges many face on the road to owning their abode. Through the combined support of a USDA Direct Loan, a housing voucher from the Housing Authority of Jackson County (HAJC), and a timely DPA grant, Graham finally crossed the threshold into homeownership, a detail heralded by OHCS's report.
"Angele has set a wonderful example of perseverance and hard work to pursue a dream," Denise Lupton, housing supervisor at ACCESS, told OHCS, applauding Graham's resolute spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges. OHCS's program, supported by the Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP) and Construction Excise Tax (CET) proceeds, has been creating homeownership opportunities since its inception in 2011 and has been a cornerstone in the life stories of 1,543 households to its credit.
The director of Homeownership at OHCS, Keeble Giscombe, extolled the impact of the DPA program, saying, "It's truly inspiring to see Angele achieve her dream of homeownership." Giscombe's comments, captured by the OHCS narrative, emphasize the strategic role the program plays in fostering stability and long-term prosperity for Oregonians, especially for historically underserved demographics. For those interested in further exploring the DPA initiatives, including a program tailored for veterans, OHCS encourages visits to their website for more detailed information.
