celebrating community and partnership
(Forest Grove, Oregon) – As we look back on 2024, one of the standout moments for Holt Homes was our collaboration with West Tuality Habitat for Humanity to welcome the Bautista Family to their new home in Cornelius. This meaningful celebration, held on June 26, marked the second home dedication of the year and showcased the power of community and partnership. With approximately 60 attendees joining the event, the day was filled with hope, gratitude, and a shared commitment to making homeownership accessible.
This special home, part of our Laurel Woods master-planned community, is a testament to the impact of innovative solutions and teamwork. Unlike traditional Habitat builds, this home wasn’t constructed by Habitat volunteers. Instead, it was developed by Holt Homes and purchased by West Tuality Habitat specifically for the Bautista Family. Reflecting on the project, Virginia Ohler, Executive Director of West Tuality Habitat, shared: “Juana completed her sweat equity, financial literacy training, and homebuyer counseling some time ago, but there wasn’t yet a Habitat home available for her and her family. With our upcoming Rapid Homestead projects and Countryman Estates still months from completion, we felt an urgent need to secure homeownership for her family. We are thrilled the financing allowed for this special home purchase to happen.”
In addition to providing the home, Habitat volunteers have since worked to convert it from three bedrooms to four, ensuring it better meets the needs of the Bautista Family.
Laurel Woods: A Community Designed for Thriving
As the year progressed, the Bautista Family settled into Laurel Woods, a community that reflects Holt Homes’ dedication to thoughtful design and livability. The neighborhood offers residents a large park, complete with a play structure, sports field, basketball court, outdoor exercise areas, and walking trails. Convenient access to transportation, including a bus stop for Line 57 less than a mile away, adds to its appeal. Holt Homes is honored to have played a part in this family’s journey. This collaboration underscores our mission to create homes that truly make a difference.
A Year of Progress with West Tuality Habitat
For over 30 years, West Tuality Habitat for Humanity has built affordable housing and provided critical repairs, ensuring stability for families in western Washington County. Their commitment to keeping total housing costs below 30% of a family’s gross monthly income aligns seamlessly with Holt Homes’ values.
This year also saw Habitat moving forward with its next development, Countryman Estates, adjacent to Kidd Court, which was completed in 2023. Countryman Estates will include eight thoughtfully designed homes, featuring both single-story fully accessible units and townhomes with three to four bedrooms. Each will include appliances and fully accessible ground-floor living spaces, continuing Habitat’s legacy of inclusivity and accessibility.
Strengthening Communities Together
Beyond building homes, Habitat’s critical home repair program remains a cornerstone of its efforts. Since 2018, this initiative has helped nearly 400 low-income homeowners, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities remain in their homes and age in place. This year alone, the program continued to provide stability for the most vulnerable in our communities.
Holt Homes is also proud to support the Forest Grove ReStore, operated by West Tuality Habitat. The ReStore’s sales of gently used and new items directly fund Habitat’s impactful programs, extending the reach of its mission.
As we reflect on 2024, this partnership with West Tuality Habitat for Humanity remains a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and shared purpose. Together, we’ve made strides in creating homes and communities that foster growth, security, and hope for the future.
For more information about donating, volunteering, or applying to become a Habitat program participant, visit www.westtualityhabitat.org or call (503) 359-8459. You can also find additional information at the Forest Grove ReStore, located at 3731 Pacific Avenue.
*All selections subject to change depending on availability
Posted: Apr 09. 2025