Eugene, OR – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley attended the grand opening of the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity ReStore and celebrated the ongoing work of Habitat for Humanity within the community. Senator Merkley discussed his longtime affiliation with Habitat for Humanity and the great work being done in Habitat ReStores across the country.
“During my time with Habitat for Humanity in Oregon, I saw firsthand how home ownership transforms families,” said Merkley. “Habitat for Humanity continues to play a pivotal role in creating affordable housing for our communities and today’s grand opening of the Springfield/Eugene ReStore will further the goals and mission of Habitat for Humanity here in Lane County.”
In the early nineties, Senator Merkley served as the executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Portland, Oregon and was able to witness how home ownership provides families with a stable financial foundation to build on for the future. Now as a U.S. Senator, Senator Merkley is working to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and ensure that another housing and financial crisis is not allow to cripple our economy.
“I wish policymakers back in Washington understood as clearly as Habitat does the power of homeownership,” Merkley said. “We need to invest as much effort in rescuing homeowners who are victims of the financial crisis as we did in rescuing the big banks that caused the crisis.”
Senator Merkley also highlighted the important work of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores and the impact the local ReStore will have on the Springfield and Eugene communities. The primary purpose of each Habitat for Humanity ReStore is to provide a sustainable source of funding for Habitat’s home building. The ReStore also promotes affordable housing and encourages recycling and reuse. The ReStore in Eugene is projected to provide funding for three or four additional homes each year.
About Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat ReStores are outlets that accept donated goods for resale. While every ReStore is a little different, most focus on home improvement goods—furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances. These donated goods are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price to help local affiliates fund the construction of Habitat homes within their communities.
Materials sold by Habitat ReStores are usually donated by local retailers, contractors and individuals in the community. ReStores provide an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of the waste stream and simultaneously provide funding for all of Habitat’s community improvement work.
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