Homeownership
changes lives
empowers families
breaks the cycle of poverty
writes a new story
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First Story is a nonprofit lender dedicated to creating affordable homeownership opportunities for under-resourced families across the Northwest, empowering them to build financial stability and break the cycle of generational poverty.
WHY WE DO IT
The lack of affordable housing is holding families back and causing deep problems.
Poverty. Homelessness. Educational disparities.
But through affordable homeownership the lives of families are changed forever.
By giving neighbors a hand-up to homeownership, First Story is helping write new chapters.
Financial stability. Asset-building. Achievement of dreams.
This is why we do it.
How WE DO IT
Uniting Community Partners
First Story partners with builders Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes, local municipalities, and a generous network of donors to provide move-in ready homes in communities across the Northwest. Homes are constructed or rehabilitated by our building partners and then sold by First Story.
Awarding innovative loans
First Story’s innovative loan program provides qualified individuals and families earning 80 percent of area median income or below a home loan at zero-down, zero-percent interest for 30 years.
Creating inclusive communities
First Story homes are built with the same quality, care and aesthetics as every other home in the neighborhood. Homes are sold with all of the appliances, a washer and dryer and finished landscaping meaning First Story homes look just like every other home on the block.
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Who we serve
Being cost-burdened means more than a tight budget — it means sacrifice. Families skip medical care, delay education, or live far from work. These tradeoffs shape what experts call the social determinants of health — the conditions that define opportunity and well-being.
When housing becomes affordable, everything changes: families save, children succeed, and communities grow stronger.
Behind every statistic is a neighbor — a parent at your child’s soccer game, a family in your church pew, a nurse or teacher who keeps our towns running but can’t afford to live nearby.
We remove barriers and provide access to the life-changing value of homeownership for diverse members of our communities.
128 families served
100% earn less than 80% of area median income
100% are first-time homebuyers
128 families served
100% earn less than 80% of area median income
100% are first-time homebuyers
80% are the first in their families to ever own a home
29% identify as a member of the Latino or Black community
22% of families include a member with a disability
80% are the first in their families to ever own a home
29% identify as a member of the Latino or Black community
22% of families include a member with a disability