Help Start Construction on Simple, Decent Housing

When Hero and Bleh arrived in America about four years ago, they thought their troubles would be over. After escaping violence and refugee camps in Thailand, the familysettled in Portland. And while nowhere near as difficult as their lives were in Burma and Thailand, finding an affordable home that could accommodate a multi-generational household has kept them from feeling truly secure.

“When we were in Burma, our challenges were about our safetyand living situation,” said Hero. “My village was burned by Burmese soldiers. Many times we had to run for our lives, living in the jungle, under the trees or in a temporary hut with no food to eat.”

While thankfully much safer in Portland, the family still faces adversity with their housing situation. They share a two bedroom apartment in East Portland with Hero’s mother Lae. “My mother-in-law is disabled and it’s difficult for her to go up stairs,” said Bleh. Along with Hero’s mother, the couple has their two-year-old son Yeeh, as well as a newborn baby. Hero’s assembly job simplycan’t afford the family the space they need; the five of them share a small apartment with inadequate ventilation, faulty appliances and fixtures, and disruptive neighbors.

Hero and Bleh will purchase and help build their own home at Glisan Gardens.Their new home will be completed in 2016, and will be accessible to accommodate Lae’s disability, with plenty of room for Yeeh and the newborn to thrive as they grow.

“When I think of our future home, I picture my family happy, full of smiles. I’ll get to decorate my house, plant flowers, have a playroom for my children, and much more!” says Bleh. “The new home will provide more opportunities for my children to learn. We feel so blessed this home will belong to us.”

Links:

• http://habitatportlandmetro.org