working with & for military veterans
West Tuality Habitat is proud to have so many military veterans among our volunteers and to serve military volunteers through our critical home repair program.
We thank you for your service both in uniform and as a part of the Habitat family.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that 2.5 million veterans heading households are at least 55 years of age. Of those 2.5 million veterans, 24% have housing cost burdens. Unlike our older civilians, our older veterans are more likely to have a disability — 35% versus 28% — which may require home modifications, health and other supportive services as they age.
Our female military veteran population is in need as well. According to a report by the National Housing Conference, nearly half of our veterans who are single mothers spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Our female veterans face significant economic and housing challenges and are particularly vulnerable to housing cost burdens compared with our overall veteran population.
In addition, nearly 4 million of our veterans pay at least 30% of their income toward rent or mortgage, while more than 1.5 million pay at least 50%.
West Tuality Habitat offers critical home repairs to military veteran homeowners in need. Critical home repair is interior or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, including a change to or repair of materials or components; a reconfiguration of space; a modification for accessibility; or the installation or extension of plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems on an existing structure.
Are you or someone in your household a military veteran? Is your home in need of repair or modification? Read more about our repair program and apply - applying is the only way for us to know you are qualified for the program.
We also welcome military veterans as volunteers, not only on home builds and home repairs, but also on advisory committees, as board members, and as help in our administration offices and at events, or at our ReStore. Military volunteers can bring special and much-needed skills to any Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Volunteering through Habitat for Humanity is meaningful service, something that speaks directly to many volunteers and their desire to connect with their community and their country. Through volunteering, recently returned veterans can also help in establishing much needed new and diverse relationships, as this research from Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families details.
work with us
volunteer
Connect with your community and build new friendships with our volunteer team. We have many incredible veterans on our construction team, on our board of directors, in our ReStore and at our events.
own
Apply to our affordable homeownership program when it opens for applications. Our program can help you gain the stability of home for your family.
repair
Apply for our critical repair program. See examples of past repair projects for veterans in our community below.
shop
Shop at the Forest Grove ReStore with a 10% veteran discount when you show your veteran ID card at checkout. Also donate items to the ReStore and help us raise funds for our programs in Western Washington County.
building together
We have an incredible core construction team of volunteers that includes several military veterans. We also regularly welcome men and women representing all branches of the military as volunteers in our repair program, including one-day neighborhood cleanups. Working with the team builds friendships, camaraderie, and community. Click here to find out more about volunteering with West Tuality Habitat.
In 2018 and 2019, the Oregon Army National Guard out of the Forest Grove Armory spent two weeks with West Tuality Habitat completing community service projects as a part of their 2-3 week annual training program. During this time they work with us on repair projects in the queue and on new construction.
past projects
John L. is a Veteran living in North Plains with his wife, Lori. John and Lori applied to the West Tuality Habitat Repair program to have their home painted. West Tuality organized a city wide clean up party to complete yardwork, haul away debris, prep and paint their home.
Samuel and Elizabeth P. experienced a major sewage leak under their home in Cornelius. They applied to the West Tuality Habitat Repair Program for help. Together with our partner, Community Action, Samuel’s plumbing was replaced and his leaks repaired.
Russell and Bonnie J. applied to West Tuality Habitat for an accessibility ramp. Russell is a senior Veteran living in Forest Grove. West Tuality Habitat built the Priebes a custom ramp with the help of a grant from the Forest Grove Elks for supplies.
Veteran Darin and his wife Amy S. were experiencing leaks and water damage inside their home due to old deteriorating siding. West Tuality Habitat worked with the Washington County Harde program to jointly fund and complete the installation of new siding, caulking and painting of the Stanek home. Now their home is protected from the elements and their investment is secure.
Dennis and Diane had multiple broken outlets, broken exhaust fans, and a broken range in their one bedroom condo. Dennis, a Veteran, applied to the West Tuality Habitat Repair Program for help. West Tuality Habitat repaired his outlets, installed new exhaust fans and range so that the couple could remain independent in their home.
Looking for additional services?
Connect with Washington County’s Disability, Aging and Veteran Services Department for advice and assistance to obtain all of the benefits and services you are entitled to under the law.