Hayden Homes, First Story help 3 families raise walls of new Sisters homes

 SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In response to the growing need for affordable housing, the nonprofit First Story, Hayden Homes, NeighborImpact and other local partners are collaborating to help three families move into new homes in Sisters.

A special, social distancing, wall raising event was attended by future homeowners and their family members, Sisters Mayor Chuck Ryan and members of the Hayden Homes and First Story teams.

“As mayor, I was very proud to participate along with Councilor Preedin in interviewing three separate families and being a part of their dream of homeownership,” Ryan said. “It is a very rewarding experience, and we look forward to continuing this valuable partnership with First Story as the McKenzie development progresses.”

The nonprofit First Story is addressing the affordable housing crisis through an integrated approach that focuses on providing a hand-up to homeownership. First Story, Hayden Homes, Neighborlmpact and the City of Sisters have come together for this special project in order to provide affordable homeownership opportunities in Sisters.

The homes will be constructed by Hayden Homes in their McKenzie Meadows Village community and sold through First Story's 30-year non-interest loan program. The first three families are graduates of Neighborlmpact's HomeSource Program.

Each family is grateful for the safety, health and happiness that owning a home brings. A special key ceremony and welcome home celebration will take place in August.

“We’ve been dreaming and working towards owning a home for almost 20 years,” says Debra Donati and Nathan Barbeau. “We saved every extra penny that came our way and we even postponed getting married. Unfortunately, as we inched closer, Nate was in a devastating hit and run and our dream slipped away. First Story gave us hope again.”

“I’ve been doing everything I can – saving & working hard- to raise my family in my hometown of Sisters,” says Jacob Christensen. “But, it’s so expensive that it meant my family of 6 sharing one bedroom at my Mom’s house. So, we were forced to move, and our daughter now spends over an hour commuting to school each day. Next year, thanks to First Story, she will walk to school.”

“As a single-dad, I work hard day in and day out to provide the best life for my son, Conner. Moving to Sisters means he will finally know something other than apartment living and what being a part of a community means,” says Nathaniel Grimes.

Watch the wall raising ceremony here.