Eurana Horton

Eurana is a mother and homeowner in the Portland neighborhood. With the help from Habitat for Humanity, she was able to purchase her home in 2001. She currently works as Coordinator of Community Engagement & Building Operations at the Portland Promise Center.

What does affordable housing mean to you? 

“When I applied for a Habitat house, I was a single parent, struggling to keep a roof over our heads. Habitat helped me learn how to be a homeowner. Through education classes and working with my family advocate, I learned about budgeting, home maintenance and repairs, and to have confidence in myself.  The sweat equity hours were hard but rewarding.”

How has affordable housing benefited you and your family?

“My children thrived in our home.  My oldest daughter, Wanda, is a teacher at Portland Elementary; my son, James, recently graduated from Murray Stare University; and my youngest, Amber, is attending JCTC.  I do not think they would have achieved so much without the stability of our home.  Education is a cornerstone in our home, so much so that I went back to school to get my bachelor’s degree.”

Our Portland neighborhood is an important part of our family’s life. I work at the Portland Promise Center as the Coordinator of Community Engagement & Building Operations. My kids grew up here and continue to volunteer, giving back to the community that helped raise them.  A strong community is important for a vibrant city.”