Habitat for Humanity will break ground on two new housing developments – Alder Commons and Century Commons – that will provide affordable home ownership opportunities in Hillsboro.

Through Habitat’s partnership with Proud Ground, the homes will be permanently affordable through a Community Land Trust Model that allows people to purchase affordable homes, build equity, and ensure the home is affordable to the next buyer.

“Affordable housing and affordable home ownership programs support a healthy, vibrant, and interconnected community by adding much sought-after housing options for our residents,” said Mayor Callaway. “The two new affordable home ownership developments embody these ideals by supporting our investment in housing, people, community, and resources.”

Located at SW Century Boulevard and SW Lois Street, the Century Commons development is close to Noble Woods Park, Century High School, and the Orenco MAX Station.

Mayor Callaway will be joined by Senator Sollman on January 12 to break ground for 18 townhomes that are expected to be ready for home ownership in March 2025.

The three- and four-bedroom units are available for low-income community members, who are making at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), to purchase and own the home through Habitat for Humanity and the Proud Ground program.

“We have heard resoundingly from Hillsboro residents that we need more housing and more opportunities for affordable home ownership,” said City of Hillsboro Mayor Callaway. “Century Commons is an important part of meeting those needs, offering housing options for all incomes and all stages of life.”

The City of Hillsboro donated more than three acres of land to support the project and directed federal funds to Proud Ground’s land trust model to ensure the community has housing opportunities at all income levels.

Located a half-mile away from Shute Park Library and SHARC (Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center), Alder Commons will include eight 3- and 4-bedroom, two-story houses with single-car garages.

Like Century Commons, all eight of the homes on Larch Court and 13th Avenue, near Tualatin Valley Highway, will be affordable long-term for families at 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and below.

Affordable Home Ownership Program

Habitat for Humanity’s affordable home ownership program is for first-time, low-income, homebuyers who have steady incomes and access to credit, but not enough financing to purchase a home the traditional way, especially in today’s market.

Home ownership allows stability for those within the 35–80% AMI, or about $40,000 year for a 2- or 3-person household, an opportunity to build equity. The Community Land Trust model caps the home’s resale price ensuring permanent affordability. Through down-payment assistance, loan forgiveness and modest equity growth, Habitat families can build significant equity, especially if they stay in the home long term.

Habitat for Humanity is looking for individuals, businesses, or organizations who want to come together and do something good for the community by volunteering.

Find out how to volunteer to spend a day building someone’s home at the Alder Commons and Century Commons build sites.