‘Welcome home’: Bend family receives keys to new home through First Story homeownership program
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend family officially opened the door to a new chapter on Wednesday, receiving the keys to their new home which was made possible through the nonprofit First Story and its community partners.
Community members, regional leaders, and representatives from First Story and Hayden Homes gathered for a home dedication ceremony welcoming the Hammons family.
“This has been an amazing experience for me and my family, and we are really excited to start our new life,” homeowner Kimberly Hammons said.
First Story helps first-time homebuyers earning no more than 80% of the area median income purchase homes with zero-down, zero-interest, 30-year mortgages. The organization says the lower-cost loans allow families to direct more of their income toward education, children’s activities, and other needs while avoiding additional debt.
Families also complete homebuyer education through organizations such as NeighborImpact, learning about home loans, credit scores, the purchasing process, and fair housing rights.
The program relies on partnerships with homebuilder Hayden Homes, building materials supplier PARR Lumber, NeighborImpact, and a network of individual donors. Partners contribute labor, materials and expertise to help offset rising construction costs and create homes with the same market value and curb appeal as others in Hayden Homes communities.
“This work happens when our elected leaders join us in our commitment to ensuring that Central Oregon remains affordable and livable for our workforce families,” First Story Executive Director Claire Duncan said during the ceremony.
State Representative Emerson Levy (D- Bend) also attended the dedication and said it demonstrated the tangible impact of work completed by state lawmakers.
“We can’t forget that our bills and our laws, they’re about humans and families in our community,” Levy said.
Hayden Homes Chief Operating Officer Craig Smith officially welcomed the family to the neighborhood.
“Let me just be the first from Hayden Homes to say, ‘Welcome home,’” Smith said.
First Story says 80% of families in the program are the first members of their families to own a home, 23% identify as minority households, and 25% include family members with disabilities.
The Hammons family is the 133rd family to become homeowners through First Story and the 16th in Bend.
More information about the organization and its homeownership program is available at firststory.org.
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