June marks National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the value of owning a home and to reflect on the barriers that still prevent many from achieving this milestone. In Oregon, where housing affordability and access remain pressing issues, this month serves as both a celebration and a call to action.
The benefits of homeownership
Homeownership is more than just having a roof overhead — it’s a powerful foundation for brighter futures. When families own their homes, they gain more than equity; they gain stability, security, and the freedom to dream bigger for themselves and their children.
- Educational opportunities: Children in stable housing are more likely to perform well in school and graduate, setting them on a path toward long-term success.
- Improved health: Safe, stable homes contribute to better physical and mental health outcomes.
- Economic mobility: Homeownership builds generational wealth and gives families greater control over their financial futures.
- Stronger communities: Homeowners tend to invest more in their neighborhoods, fostering civic engagement and long-lasting community bonds.
Oregon’s homeownership landscape
Despite these benefits, Oregon faces significant challenges in expanding access to homeownership:
- Affordability crisis: Over the past decade, median home prices in Oregon have increased at a rate 7.1 times faster than incomes, making homeownership increasingly out of reach for many residents (OHCS State of the State’s Housing Report).
- Homeownership disparities: Communities of color, young families, and renters have been disproportionately impacted by these trends, with significant gaps in homeownership rates.
- Legislative efforts: In 2025, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 2698, setting a goal to increase homeownership rates to 65 percent by 2030 and mandating the creation of a dashboard to track progress across different demographics.
Habitat for Humanity: Building brighter futures in Oregon
Habitat for Humanity of Oregon is leading the charge in transforming lives through homeownership. Through partnerships with local affiliates, volunteers, and generous supporters, Habitat is opening doors to opportunity for hundreds of families across the state.
- Home construction and repairs: Over the last two years, Oregon Habitat affiliates built and sold 139 home while completing 674 repairs.
- Strategic vision: The newly finalized 2025–2030 Strategic Plan aims to partner with 2,000 Oregon households, reinforcing the organization’s long-term commitment to stability and economic resilience.
- Advocacy and policy leadership: Habitat plays a key role in the Unlocking Homeownership Coalition, working to ensure statewide policies and investments reflect the urgent need for affordable housing.
- Equity and inclusion: In communities like Lake Oswego, Habitat is helping to rewrite the narrative of who gets to thrive in high-cost areas — building a 23-home neighborhood for families earning 35 to 80 percent of the region’s median income.
These homes are more than just physical structures — they are launchpads for families to pursue education, careers, and community involvement. They are spaces where children can grow up safely, where parents can plan for the future, and where hope takes root and flourishes.
Looking ahead
As we celebrate National Homeownership Month, we also renew our commitment to ensuring that every Oregonian has the opportunity to build a brighter future through homeownership. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity remind us that, with vision, partnership, and perseverance, we can address long-standing inequities and expand access to the American Dream — one home at a time.