First Story presents keys to first-time Bend homeowners at special dedication ceremony

(Update: Adding video from ceremony, comment from YouthBuild participant)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend residents Megan and Troy Stith on Thursday received the keys to a brand new First Story home built in partnership with Heart of Oregon Corps’ YouthBuild program.

The community was invited to the special home dedication event in the First Place community, located in Southeast Bend.

The home was built through a powerful partnership between First Story and Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild. The two organizations have worked together since 2011, building six homes for under-resourced Northwest families to access homeownership and providing valuable onsite construction skills development for youth pursuing careers in the trades.

“The partnership between Heart of Oregon YouthBuild and First Story is a perfect example of the kinds of collaborations needed to address today’s housing shortage and prepare for tomorrow’s workforce needs,” said Heart of Oregon Corps Executive Director Laura Handy. “We are proud to partner with First Story to help families access homeownership while simultaneously providing opportunities for our YouthBuild students to develop their workforce skills.”

Heart of Oregon Corps had 6-10 teens out four days a week for about a year, building the home.

An 18-year-old YouthBuild participant, Anthony Freel, told us at the ceremony, "I came into the Heart of Oregon going down a wrong path and making the wrong choices, not wanting to go to college. And then here I am. I got accepted into UTI (Universal Technical Institute) as of yesterday, and I'm making a lot better choices.”

First Story is a 501(c)3 nonprofit supporting affordable homeownership throughout the Northwest. The organization unites diverse partners to build inclusive, strong communities where families making 80 percent or below of area median income are able to afford to own their homes.

Through partnerships with its founder, Hayden Homes, and other industry partners along with the financial support of a robust network of donors, First Story is able to provide new or refurbished homes in thriving communities to first-time homebuyers through a zero-down, zero-interest, 30-year mortgage.

Earlier this year, First Story surprised the Stith family with news that they would become homeowners in Bend’s First Place community.  

“When we finally got the news, it was such a huge weight lifted that we didn’t know we were carrying,” said Megan Stith. “We’ve put so much time and energy into trying to get a home and save for a home –we’re excited because we haven’t had time to think about other things, like saving for our daughter to go to college.”

In the midst of Oregon’s housing crisis, it’s a challenge to build homes that allow individuals and families to live where they work. The increased demand for limited housing has caused housing prices to soar in recent decades.

After losing their jobs during the pandemic and watching housing prices skyrocket, the Stith family felt that they might never achieve their dream of owning a home and raising their family in Bend. Owning a First Story home is a resolution of those fears and creates a sense of security on which to build their future.

“This home dedication is extra special because we get to welcome home the Stith family and celebrate the hard work of YouthBuild students,” said First Story Executive Director Claire Duncan.

“So many families in our community are working tirelessly to reach homeownership, and we are grateful to bring together partners who want to give individuals a hand up to homeownership so they can work toward asset-building, financial stability and economic mobility. Together, we are committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through affordable homeownership.”

To date, First Story has helped 122 families become homeowners. Of those families:

• 100% earn less than 80% of area median income
• 100% are first-time homebuyers
• 80% are the first in their families ever to own a home
• 30% identify as minorities
• 20% are households with children who have disabilities

To learn more, visit www.firststory.org and follow the journey of new homeowners on First Story’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

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About First Story

First Story is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to address the affordable housing crisis in the Northwest. First Story uses an integrated approach to affordable housing by giving individuals a hand up to homeownership while encouraging inclusivity.

First Story collaborates with builder Hayden Homes and in-kind partners to construct or fully refurbish homes. The homes are then sold to individuals and families earning 80 percent of area median income or below through First Story’s innovative loan program, which provides loans at zero-down, zero-percent interest for 30 years.

The organization also supports community nonprofits through a giving grant program in partnership with Hayden Homes. First Story has granted more than $2.4 million to more than 1,000 charities providing shelter, food and advocacy services in communities served. The organization is based in Bend, Ore., and serves Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.