KeyBank Grants $300,000 to Portland Housing Center to Support Homeownership Opportunities The Portland Housing Center (PHC) has received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to expand homeownership opportunities for historically marginalized communities. PHC aims to make home ownership possible through quality education, counseling and financial services. Its mission has evolved as the market has, and to sustain responsiveness to emergent community needs and housing market trends, PHC remains agile—creating services and products that fit customer needs, including down payment assistance with matched savings, deferred/forgivable loans, second mortgages and referrals to vetted lending partners and realtors. This specific grant will expand outreach and support to Spanish-speaking clients to increase rates of homeownership among Hispanic/Latinx communities. By addressing the systemic barriers these populations face, this initiative aims to provide culturally relevant financial education and guidance tailored to their unique needs. Direct beneficiaries are Spanish-speaking individuals and families, particularly low-to-moderate income households within the Hispanic/ Latinx community who face historical and systemic barriers to homeownership. In addition to significantly increasing homeownership rates among Spanish-speaking households, this will contribute to the broader community’s economic and social well-being, reducing the racial wealth gap and advancing equity in housing access. “PHC knows that homeownership is vital to the health and well-being of families, and its efforts to support underserved populations squarely addresses KeyBank’s funding priorities,” says Josh Lyons, president of KeyBank in Oregon and SW Washington. “KeyBank has long been an avid champion of PHC’s proven model, and we are delighted to accelerate our support with this new grant.” People’s Bank of Commerce Donates $100,000 to the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA The People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, aimed at supporting their Veterans Housing Project in Albany. This donation is earmarked specifically for the land acquisition needed to develop a 38-unit housing complex dedicated to providing a safe and supportive living environment for veterans and their families. The facility is designed with the capacity to house approximately 60 to 70 residents, offering them much-needed stability and community integration. Addressing the pressing housing crisis is a top priority for the People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation, which recognizes the importance of initiatives that provide shelter and foster a sense of belonging and support for underserved populations. The Veterans Housing Project represents a pivotal opportunity for the Foundation to contribute positively to our community and assist those who have served our country. People’s Bank team members Sandi Gordon, Mark Rodewald, Mike Sykes (Mid-Willamette Family YMCA Valley board member), Julia Beattie and Kerry Johnson (People’s Bank board member). 46 Winter 2025 • BANKING MATTERS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzc3ODM=