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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 our city, one that hampers economic opportunity, family success and stability. In response, the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission are spearheading a broad community and leadership process - Operation HOME (Home Ownership and Minority Equity). Operation HOME is an effort to reduce the minority homeownership gap in Portland, and to create new opportunities for communities historically left out of this important part of the American Dream.
Paulette Hague, Proud Ground's Outreach Specialist, served on HOME's Outreach and Marketing Content committee and, after much discussion and debate, the committee identified objectives in three areas:
* Consumers: Build consumer confidence within communities of color and promote homeownership as an achievable opportunity.
* Industry: Provide tools and resources to the homeownership industry to help them better reach and serve communities of color.
* Employer: Increase Portland's business community's investment in helping their employees become homeowners.
Other Proud Ground staff are also participating in HOME: Proud Ground Executive Director Allison Handler will be a member of the Affordability and Wealth Creation committee, and Katie Ullrich, Proud Ground Homeownership Program Manager, sits on the Education and Counseling committee.
What we learn through Operation HOME helps Proud Ground better implement its specific programs and activities: 49% of Proud Ground households are minorities, and we look forward to increasing these numbers through enhanced outreach efforts and participation in projects like Operation HOME.
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