A few final thoughts from Jesse Beason

You won't want to miss Jesse's final letter as Proud Ground's Executive Director.

Proud Ground is hiring!

Proud Ground is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) Homebuyer Coordinator & Program Assistant.

We’re looking for an energetic individual with a knack for coordinating transactions with multiple parties involved; this person will also support the programs and operations of Proud Ground. Great interpersonal skills required; a sense of humor ...

It's the spring newsletter!

Find out more about your favorite Proud Ground topics: NSP homes, our increased service area, Proud Ground's amazing homeowners, ways you can help ... it's all in the Spring 2013 newsletter!

And a giant THANK YOU to Fidelity National Title for their generous printing donation.

See a show, support Proud Ground!

Portland Center Stage fundraiser for Proud Ground
CLYBOURNE PARK
April 6 - May 5
On the main stage at the Gerding Theater at the Armory

Use the promo code PROUD and get $5 off any adult ticket and $10 will be donated to Proud Ground!

• Go to Portland Center Stage and ...

Proud Ground seeks an Executive Director

Proud Ground is seeking an Executive Director. We are looking for an energetic individual with passion and persistence, a demonstrated ability to exercise strategic vision, and a commitment to serving low- and moderate-income households seeking the dream of homeownership. Proud Ground is committed to addressing the historically disparate homeownership rates ...

Portland Housing Bureau requests public comment

from our good friends at the Portland Housing Bureau:

Notice of Consolidated Plan One-Year Action Plan FY 2013-2014 Comment Period and Public Hearings

The One-Year Action Plans FY 2013-2014 for Multnomah County, the City of Portland, and the City of Gresham describe and prioritize current housing and community development needs ...

Winter 2012 Newsletter

Thanks so much to Fidelity National Title for another very generous printing donation. Enjoy the last newsletter of 2012!

Home for the holidays: PG's Chelsey, Max & Luiz in the Sunday Oregonian

“There’s nothing better than family for the holidays,” says Chelsey about their first Christmas in their new home. Read the whole story here

Video alert: It's the LaRhonda Steel Quartet at our event!

The LaRhonda Steele Quartet's performance at our Annual Celebration was just wonderful, a definite highlight of a great night. Take in their performance again here, or check it out for the first time if you weren't able to join us on the 5th. Enjoy!

Proud Ground & CCLT Join Forces

October 25, 2012 marked the end of a 10-month journey of exploration for the boards and staff of Proud Ground and Clackamas Community Land Trust. CCLT members, who are CCLT homeowners in Clackamas County, voted to approve the dissolution of CCLT and integrate its mission with Proud Ground’s. The ...

Proud Ground partner Remodeling by Wesley in Portland Observer

Some great coverage of one of our favorite partners, Remodeling by Wesley, who helps ensure Proud Ground homes are in great shape. Read about Wesley in the September 26 Portland Observer, the Minority & Small Business edition

Observer covers homeowner #164 Lisa & her beautiful family!

Is this not the most stunning family?! PG homeowner #164 Lisa Williams, her son Verondell and niece La'Breah get some fantastic coverage in yesterday's Portland Observer. Thanks to partners PCRI, Portland Housing Bureau, Community Frameworks, and AAH for helping Lisa achieve her goal of homeownership. Read all about ...

Great news story about our first Beaverton homebuyers

PG's first Beaverton homebuyers, the Rodrigues family, are in a great story by Dominique Fong on oregonlive.com. Check it out!

Meet our first Beaverton home buyers!

Congratulations to our first Beaverton homebuyers! Thanks to Proud Ground, the City of Beaverton, & Community Frameworks' SHOP, Greg, Patty, Chloe & Kayla own their own home--affordably--in the Five Oaks neighborhood. Welcome home!

More Svaboda grand opening coverage!

Our very grand Grand Opening for Svaboda Court was included that evening on OPB news, and in the East Portland News.

Svaboda Court: great Oregonian coverage!

Our new development project, Svaboda Court, was the front page story in yesterday's Oregonian's Homes & Rentals Section; check it out. Nice story!

And be sure to see it for yourself at the Grand Opening on July 25

Svaboda Court Grand Opening: July 25

Have you RSVPed to the Svaboda Court grand opening yet? It's July 25 and includes lunch! And tours! And speakers (but not too many!). Details

Thanks Bank of America volunteers!

Bank of America volunteers spent a sunny Saturday pulling weeds and spreading bark mulch at Proud Ground's 6 unit housing development in St. Johns.

Pictured from left to right are Denise Williams, Shawn Houston, Sherry Glaser, David Smith, and Christina McKnight, with Proud Ground project manager Steve Whitson in ...

PG ED's letter to the editor, today's Oregonian

Proud Ground's ED Jesse Beaon's letter in response to the Oregonian's housing series; printed in today's Oregonian and online

Housing Safety Net Gets Funded!

Thanks to the efforts of many, many organizations, individuals, Commissioner Fish and his colleagues, today the Portland City Council approved $4.8 million to fully fund the housing safety net, critical funding for short-term rent assistance, shelters, and programs to support homeownership and foreclosure prevention. Read all about it

Help protect homeownership & the safety net

WE NEED YOUR VOICE TO PROTECT HOME OWNERSHIP & TO HELP CLOSE THE GAP IN PORTLAND'S HOUSING SAFETY NET.

When people have a safe, stable, affordable place to live they’re better able to invest in themselves, their children and a better city for us all. The Mayor's proposed ...

East Portland News covers 150th homeowner

Proud Ground's 150th new home buyer, Kelli Jarrell, tells her story to the East Portland News. Kelli shares, “What’s special about being a homeowner is the feeling of security and independence it gives me to own a home. This home is mine! It just feels good."

Read the ...

Proud Ground's 150th home buyer: Kelli Jarrell

“I worked so hard to buy this home because I wanted security for my children, I wanted them to always have a place to live. My children and their children are always welcome back home, we are forever family.” Kelli Jarrell, with grandchildren Deriyan and Jeremiah.

Read all about Kelli ...

Estate Planning Workshop May 16

Please join Proud Ground and estate planning attorney Melanie Marmion, a partner with the law firm of Fitzwater Meyer, LLP, for an intimate presentation on the basics of estate planning and planned giving, including a discussion of Wills, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives.

This event is offered ...

Check out our new board members in the Oregonian!

Welcome new board members!

• Susan Brown, Vice President, Area Manager, Umpqua Bank Mortgage
  
• Michelle Holder, Payroll Specialist, New Seasons Markets
  
• Randy Murgo, Lead Senior Analyst, PacifiCorp
  

Look, here they are in the Oregonian's Business section.

Welcome new homeowners Jean, Francine, Kelly & family!

Congratulations Francine, Jean, Kelli & family! We are closing in on serving our 150th homeowner, stay tuned ... Meanwhile, here's Kelli at her closing, she can't believe she's finally a homeowner!

Jesse's fave sugar cookies

With a nod to the ever-wonderful Martha S., here's my version:

EASY SUGAR COOKIES
Makes about 20, 3.5" cookies.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated ...

State Farm grant in Oregonian

Saturday's Community Helpers section of the Oregonian included our State Farm grant, which will help our Minority Outreach Project. Check it out here.

Proud Ground is in Washington County!

Thank you City of Beaverton for making homeownership affordable for a first-time home buyer. Learn more here

Sunday Oregonian features Proud Ground--and the Millers!

The Sunday Oregonian Homes & Rentals section had a first page story on our permanently affordable home buying program -- and new Proud Ground homeowners the Millers, who are second generation Proud Ground homeowners! Read all about it here.

Gresham Outlook covers new Proud Ground homeowner Jim Staley

Check out the December 7 Gresham Outlook and read about one of Proud Ground's newest homeowners in Gresham, CVI client Jim Staley. What a great story about Jim's journey to homeownership!

What a Sesquicen-dominus party!

Thank you all for being a part of a record-breaking celebration for Proud Ground! We enjoyed greater attendance and donations than any event we've had in our 12 years, we are so thankful to everyone who was a part of it!

Thank you especially to Commissioner Nick Fish for ...

Time lapse of our newest project

Our partner Cityhouse Builders put together this timelapse of the progress on our newest project, Svaboda Court. When complete 12 new families will own LEED Platinum homes in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

Celebrate our sesquicen-dominus on Nov. 30

Our Sesquicen•dominus celebration is at capacity!

If you RSVPed for this Wednesday's event and can't make it please let us know so we can accomodate last-minute RSVPers: 150@proudground.org

Thank you and see you Wednesday!

Look at the beautiful tomatoes on the cover of the Fall newsletter

After appreciating the garden bounty, please go on to read about our $100,000 grant from Meyer Memorial Trust, our newest staff member Angela Fujii ... and more! It's all here.

Pupusas are a delicious fundraiser!

The Gutiérrez family hosted another hugely successful pupusa fundraiser, making a total of 523 pupusas (a family record) and raising close to $1,000. The proceeds benefit Proud Ground's program that helps families buy their first home affordably (and where son Edward Gutiérrez is on staff as the Community ...

Second Annual Pupusa Fundraiser!

We're holding our Second Annual Pupusa Fundraiser on Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th! Help support our affordable home ownership program and efforts and enjoy some delicious Salvadoran food!

A pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish made of thick, hand-made corn tortillas that are filled with a blend ...

On KGW: Proud Ground & Wells Fargo volunteer work party

Proud Ground homeowner Melissa Schaefer's new home got a real makeover last Saturday! Wells Fargo volunteers, joined by families of Melissa's in-home preschool, helped transform the 1/2 acre lot into an urban farm and enhanced space for her preschool. Thank you to everyone! And to KGW for ...

In the News: Oregonian reports on MMT's $100K grant to Proud Ground

You may have missed the Sat., August 6 edition of the Oregonian because you were outside enjoying our long-awaited summer. No worries, here's the story on Proud Ground's $100K grant from Meyer Memorial Trust.

Goodbye, from the AmeriCorps VISTA

My year as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Proud Ground has come to a close…and it has been a great year! I enjoyed being involved with meaningful projects, from managing social media to starting a workshop series with two community partners to developing materials and trainings for the volunteer program ...

Bank of America volunteers help Proud Ground beautify empty foreclosed home

Bank of America volunteers gave up a rare sunny Saturday afternoon recently to help Proud Ground beautify an empty foreclosed home to prepare it for sale to a low/moderate-income, first-time homebuyer. This is just one more facet of the partnership between the Bank and Proud Ground, which received a ...

The Spring Newsletter: Svaboda Commons gets construction financing! And more!

That's right, Proud Ground's new construction project gets off the ground! Find out all about that--and so much more--in the Spring 2011 newsletter

Social Investor Adrian Dominican Sisters spotlights our green project, Svaboda Court

Proud Ground partner and social investor Adrian Dominican Sisters spotlight our green housing development project, Svaboda Court. It's an honor to have the support of ADS and other social investors as we work to bring more green, affordable home buying opportunities to under-served communities.

Proud Ground is now in Gresham--welcome home Christin & family!

Proud Ground announces the expansion of our service area to include Gresham, bringing affordable home buying opportunities to East Multnomah County. And, like all homes in our program, these homes will be permanently affordable to benefit future generations of home buyers.

Christin, a single mom to two boys and a ...

Proud Ground in April 15 Street Roots

Proud Ground and two of our homeowners are very nicely profiled in the April 15, 2011 edition of Street Roots. Check it out.

Proud Ground-New Seasons partnership is on the front page of the 3/31 Observer!

Proud Ground has enjoyed a partnership with New Seasons Market since 2007 -- we work together to reach NSM employees to let them know about Proud Ground's affordable home-buying opportunities. Read all about it in the March 30 edition of the Portland Observer.

Nedwater gives in more ways than one! Thank you for the donation ...

And thank you, too, for so nicely sharing our story on your website. And look, Proud Ground finally made it to You Tube!

March 2011 E-News: On TV, networking, farming

Spring 2011 Newsletter: On TV, networking, farming “I can't begin to tell you the importance of affordable housing for my family. Before owning my own home I always felt as though I was observing someone else's community from a stalled starting gate position. Proud Ground opened that gate ...

Jesse Beason: One of the Business Journal's 40 Under 40!

Congratulations to Proud Ground's Jesse Beason for being named one of the Business Journals' Forty Under 40 this year! And congrats to all the other winners, what a great bunch to be a part of.

Read Jesse's profile here

OHCS awards Proud Ground $50K

OHCS awarded us $50,000 to help lower the purchase price of our upcoming homes throughout Portland. Read all about it in the Director's Bulletin

Thanks OHCS!

Proud Ground on Univision

Proud Ground's Community Outreach Coordinator Edward Gutiérrez joined Proud Ground homeowners Juan & Margarita at their home yesterday. Thank you Juan & Margarita for sharing your home and your story!

Energy tax credits work -- read Jesse's op-ed in the 1/7/11 Business Journal

Want to know why energy tax credits work? Read Jesse Beason's op-ed in the 1/7/11 Business Journal.

Energy tax credits work for the economy

The debate about the Business Energy Tax Credit is an important one. The program offers tax credits for investment in energy-efficient building projects ...

Proud Ground on KGW

Jesse Beason & Elaine Albrich: People On the Move

People On The Move: 1/7/11 Business Section of the Oregonian -- Proud Ground Executive Director Jesse Beason and Board Chair Elaine Albrich.

Jesse has been appointed to the board of the National Community Land Trust Network, and Elaine, an attorney with Stoel Rives, was elected Proud Ground's board ...

Business Journal reports: Proud Ground's Jesse Beason is a 2011 Change Agent

The December 24, 2010 cover story of the Portland Business Journal, "Leaders tackle tough issues in 2011", includes Proud Ground Executive Director Jesse Beason.

Here's editor Rob Smith's story:

Jesse Beason: the Change agent
When Jesse Beason took over as executive director at the former Portland Community Land ...

Get your give on

"I feel like the whole world has been waiting for me to get this house!"
-- very excited new Proud Ground homeowner.

When you donate to Proud Ground, you're part of something that will last for generations. Your gift creates home, builds community, changes lives. Please donate today. Thank you ...

Proud Ground awarded $200,000 as a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder

We are thrilled and honored to share the news that Proud Ground is one of two awardees of the 2010 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders grant. This is an amazing investment in our organization and our community, for which we are extremely grateful. We are thankful for our homeowners and ...

Proud Ground at the African American Alliance Homebuyer Fair

Proud Ground was proud to participate in the African American Alliance for Homeownership’s 12th Annual Homeownership Fair, held October 30. Proud Ground Community Outreach Coordinator Edward Gutiérrez shared an important message with fair-goers, "“Many people who think they won’t be able to buy a home, once they go ...

Proud Ground in the news -- pupusas!

Proud Ground had a little fun during a Sept. 24 fundraiser. Find out all about it here.

Proud Ground's 2009 Annual Report

Proud Ground turned 10 in 2009. It was a busy tenth year! Find out all about it here.

Proud Ground in the news: KPTV

KPTV recently featured The Bakers, a family who bought their home through Proud Ground and has been transforming their yard into a garden to benefit the community:

Proud Ground and the Native American Youth and Family Center paired up to help Angela Baker and her family buy their house last ...

In OR’s Sea of Foreclosures, Home Ownership Success

Public News Service reported on the low foreclosures experienced by homeowners served by organizations like ours. In fact, not a single Proud Ground homeowner has experienced foreclosure. Here's a bit of what they had to say:

...less than one percent of homeowners who buy through CLTs are in foreclosure ...

The joy of homeownership

“There’s not a better feeling than becoming a homeowner. I feel such joy; I can’t believe this is really mine. Hopefully now my kids will want to become homeowners.” Tracie, single mom of three, medical office receptionist, and new Proud Ground homeowner.

Tracie has many reasons to feel ...

True/Slant: Portland’s 0% foreclosure rate affordable home ownership model

True/Slant's D.D. Cook interviewed Proud Ground's Executive Director, Jesse Beason, about our unique and successful model.

This city has long demonstrated a sensitivity toward the role housing plays in peoples’ lives. From its progressive and compassionate attitude toward the homeless to its innovative affordable housing community ...

Proud Ground secures significant program & project funding

Despite the economy, Proud Ground’s housing development work moves forward, thanks in part to generous support from diverse sources.

Proud Ground’s housing development project, Svaboda Court, received two jolts of support recently:

1) Community Frameworks’ SHOP program awarded $120,000 to provide an additional $15,000 of buy-down ...

Proud Ground and Minority Homebuyer Assistance Collaborative work together to serve minority homebuyers

The housing organizations recently helped two low-income households become homeowners

Two new homebuyers achieved the dream of homeownership through Proud Ground, a nonprofit organization creating affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, and the Minority Homebuyer Assistance Collaborative.

The Minority Homebuyer Assistance Collaborative (MHAC) is a coalition of ...

You did it!

Friends,

We are humbled and honored. You rose to the challenge and helped meet our anniversary goal of $10,000 for 10 years. In fact, we surpassed our goal -- by a lot. We really did end the year with a bang. Thank you!

Now, on to 2010.

Happy new year ...

Our ten year anniversary celebration was a success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We were grateful to celebrate with homeowners, partners and supporters and to honor the many people who were instrumental in making Proud Ground what it is today.

We had fun too! There was the top ten list, the Proud Ground bird houses and ...

Proud Ground in The Oregonian

Proud Ground's 10th anniversary and 100th home get some great press!

OREGONIAN--Proud Ground has been creating permanently affordable housing for a decade now, working to keep Portland from becoming San Francisco or Vail, Colo., where many working in those cities can't afford to live in them.

Proud Ground ...

Congress Renews Homebuyer Tax Credit

The tax credit of up to $8,000 is still available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before June 30, 2010. (You must be under contract to purchase by April 30, 2010.) Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the ...

Join us for our 10 year Anniversary Celebration

10 years of serving our community
10 years of making home a reality

Please help us celebrate!

Proud Ground
Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Program at 6:15

Curious Comedy Theater
5225 NE Martin Luther King Blvd

No Charge | Wine | Beer | Food

RSVP by November ...

We need your voice.

The Portland Housing Bureau is beginning work on its five-year plan about how to use City and Federal housing dollars. We need your help making the case about the importance of affordable homeownership.

We know that despite the downturn in housing prices, owning a quality home continues to be out ...

Proud Ground adds 100th home!

In September 2009 Proud Ground celebrated a major milestone: we added the 100th home to our portfolio of forever-affordable homes.

"Even in the current market, homeownership is less accessible than it has ever been," Executive Director Jesse Beason says." Today's generation is facing an average sales price that is ...

Our 2008 Annual Report

This past year has sharpened our country's focus of what home really means. With some of our friends, relatives and neighbors struggling to keep the houses they love, it becomes even clearer that a home is more than a commodity. It is a refuge, a protector and a temple ...

We are now Proud Ground. Same mission. Different name.

Portland Community Land Trust is now Proud Ground!

Our membership voted in favor of changing our name to reach more people about what we do, and to better represent all that we can do. We think Proud Ground will guide our growth and evolution, while helping us help more people ...

Homes that last: A study of homes that resell

Champlain Housing Trust, America's longest running non-profit offering permanently affordable homes, has released a study following the impact of their programs on past, current and future homeowners.

Among their findings were:

• Among homeowners they were able to track, 67.4% of them bought market-rate homes within six months of ...

Sharing the Future: Proud Ground Newsletter - Spring 2009

In this issue:

• Homeownership can be surprising
  
• Letter from the Executive Director: We've still got work to do
• Pardee Commons is coming to Lents
• PCLT by any other name
• Meet new team member Lilia Alvarez
• Eight was great! - A look at 2008
  
• Proud Ground Profile"The most surprising thing ...

Proud Ground on the radio

Lilia Alvarez, our Community Outreach Coordinator, joined Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza on their show, Voices from the Edge on KBOO radio.

You can listen to the full broadcast here.

Oregonian: Joining Hands for Homeownership

By Jan Behrs 

Read the original here.

In March, Victoria and Venique Lamy launched themselves out of an economic situation that might sound familiar to many moderate-income families. It took the help of a whole coalition of East Portland support organizations, but they managed to buy their first home.

Feeling ...

Proud Ground's 2008 Annual Meeting & Celebration

Proud Ground Homebuyer in the news

A buyers' market beckons: Loan programs help put keys in low-income homeowners' hands

By Steve Law | The Portland Tribune, Dec 11, 2008
Read the original here.

When Kelly Fitzpatrick left an unhappy marriage nine years ago, she lost her home and most of her belongings.

Her résumé was thin after ...

Schools, Families & Housing Initiative

A BHCD - Proud Ground & African American Alliance for Homeownership Partnership

There are at least two things we all know about Portland: Our schools are in trouble and housing prices are out of control.

However, we also know that Portland is innovative, we are, after all, the City That Works - and ...

Working Together for Change

Proud Ground participates in Operation HOME to help address the minority homeownership gap

Did you know that in Portland, families of color are less likely to own their homes than white families, and twice as likely to be denied for home loans?

This is an unacceptable disparity in ...

$10K challenge gift = $22K for Proud Ground!

Thank you! By December 31, 2007, Proud Ground raised $12,000 thanks to Al & Nancy Jubitz $10,000 challenge!

2007 Al & Nancy Jubitz $10K challenge donors:

Sonia Abrams & Stephen Moss · Jane Ames · Kris Amundson · Trell Anderson & Jennifer Schneider · Terry Anderson · Kathy Armstrong · Brian Bates · Jesse Beason · Bridget Benton · David Berkshire ...

BuildingTogether: A Proud Ground Renovation Project

The Housing Authority of Portland faced a challenge. With dwindling public resources, they could no longer afford to maintain a portfolio of single-family houses that were scattered throughout the city. But those houses were serving an important purpose: providing affordable homes to Portland families.That’s where our unique partnership ...