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HomeAid Portland

Building Homes and Hope...Rebuilding lives.

The mission of HomeAid Portland, the shelter-building arm of the Foundation, is to build or renovate quality housing for homeless families so they can rebuild their lives.  

We work with home builders who supply the expertise and resources to build shelters for non-profit care providers that deliver life-changing programs and shelter for the homeless in our community. We like to think of our shelter development program as a hand up, not a hand out. HomeAid Portland builds shelters with minimal cash, enabling these agencies to focus their resources on direct service programs. On average, every dollar invested in a project results in two dollars of in-kind labor and materials.

Current Projects:

Raphael House of Portland – In 2007, Builder captains Rick Lesniak of Blazer Development and Jim Standring of Touchstone Townhomes, LLC  adopted a major renovation project to establish a Comprehensive Advocacy Center (CAC). We broke ground in 2008 to begin work on the 5,000 square foot unfinished attic space at Raphael House of Portland.  The renovation allowed for: increased accessibility with a new elevator, a new heating system for both CAC and current residents and, new meeting and movement spaces for treatment and services.  Through partnerships with other community agencies, onsite services will be expanded to include: legal aid, mental health services, alcohol and drug counseling, life skills classes, self care and children’s activities for victims of domestic violence.

Cordero House, operated by Janus Youth Programs, is a community based, residential treatment program for twelve at-risk male juveniles. The major remodel and expansion captained by Jim Feild of Progressive Builders NW and Mike Arnett of Lifestyle Homes will increase the capacity from 12 to 14 youths, add a large family treatment room, involve a remodel of the kitchen and dining area, an expansion to provide a new therapist's office and add to the number of bathrooms and showers. The renovation scheduled to break ground in early summer of 2009 will increase the living space by 993 square feet.

Completed Projects:

Haven House – A three townhouse project built for Catholic Charities of Oregon. Housing up to six young mothers and their babies at a time, Haven House is a safe, stable place for them to call home as they receive their education and other life skills training. Legend Homes and Renaissance Homes were the builder captains and secured 74% of the cost of construction as in-kind donations.

Hearthstone – Completed in 2006, Hearthstone provides housing for five men and women with special needs as they transition toward independent living. Arbor Custom Homes was the builder captain and secured 60% of the cost of construction as in-kind donations. Hearthstone is owned by Northwest Housing Alternatives.