Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley is working with the Salem Housing Authority to acquire 33 properties, which will be rehabilitated and sold through an affordable homeownership program.

Affordable Housing Opportunities

The program is designed for Salem-area residents who have not owned a home in at least three years and meet certain income requirements. Homes are sold with a mortgage that is no more than 30% of a qualifying family’s income and with a second forgivable mortgage that works to offset the market cost.

According to Habitat Development Associate Mariah Johnston, the program partners with individual people or families who earn 50-80% of the area median income and do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director Jerry Ambris stated that homeownership in Salem changes lives and provides stability amid a period of unstable housing.

The partnership came about through the housing authority’s Scattered Sites Project, which identified 79 homes across Salem and Keizer that will be replaced with sustainable long-term housing solutions. The project was included in the city’s annual public housing agency plan, which was approved May 26.

During the period of reconstruction, current residents of these homes will receive protection vouchers from the Salem Housing Authority, so they can still be provided safe and affordable housing. The partner organization, Habitat for Humanity, must agree to honor the preferences, which are: residents at or below 80% of the median income have first right to purchase the homes they occupy, first-time homebuyer referrals, first-time homebuyers who rent in an area where an SHA home is for sale, and a veterans preference.

Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.