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April 24, 1991 -The Portland Observer-Page 9
APRIL 24,1991
S p e c ia l
<7^ie,&!
Salem Contractor to Build Affordable Homes In Portland
I
was bom and raised in Vidalia,
Louisiana. Upon completion of
high school, I joined the U.S. Army
and served in the Dominican Repub­
lic and Viet Nam. Following my mili­
tary service I went to college at Lane
Community College in Eugene, Ore­
gon, Linfield College in McMinnville,
Oregon where 1 received my bache­
lor’s degree and on to Oregon State
University in Corvallis, Oregon where
I received my master’s degree. After
college I worked for the City of Eu­
gene, Oregon for approximately six
(6) years as an administrator. Then I
went to work for the Salem, Oregon
School District for approximately six
(6) years as an administrator. My duties
in both agencies included negotiating
labor-management contracts, manage­
ment training, staffing, policy devel­
opment and administration, and over­
seeing organizational compliance with
various local, state, and federal laws
such as wage and hours, employment,
due process, and labor relations.
I decided I wanted to establish
my own general contracting and real
estate development business. I left the
School District and worked full time
as a real estate agent for a year. There­
after, I worked with a general contrac­
tor for a number of years managing
and developing his business from a
small operation to a “ Salem success
story” - large operation. In January 1989
I founded my own general contracting
and real estate development business -
J.A.M. Development is a 100% minority
owned business. I am the sole owner.
Since founding J.A.M., I have built and
have under construction a number of
residential homes ranging in size from
1231 sq. ft. to 3362 sq. ft. I am currently
developing three subdivisions for resi­
dential homes totaling forty-five lots. I
am also working on two commercial
general contracting jobs.
My business is presently based in
Salem, Oregon. However, I am expand­
ing into the Portland market. It is my
goal to do a significant amount of busi­
ness in N.E. Portland. I have already
begun entry into that market. I have been
selected as the general contractor for the
new Oregon Association of Minority En-
trepureners (O.A.M.E.) headquarters
building that will be located at 1130
N.E. Alberta St. I am also in the process
of trying to purchase some residential
home lots in N.E. Portland where I can
build some high quality affordable homes.
A main point of my overall goal in the
N.E. is to provide job opportunities for
area residents in the long run and be in­
strumental in helping to revitalize the
N.E. Portland neighborhood.
I am actively looking for persons
who wish to own affordable new homes
in N.E. Portland. 1 would enjoy the op-
Don Jones
portunity to meet and discuss the possi­
bilities for owning a new home with
any interested parties. I can be reached
at my Portland phone number 220-
1623 or my Salem phone number 581-
2552.
Billions Available For Home Repair
Grants And Subsidized Loans
Most homeowners are unaware that
regardless o f their income there arc
Federal, state and local programs that
will help them repair and remodel their
homes.
Government at all levels recognizes
that neighborhoods are the basis of life
in our country. When a neighborhood
deteriorates, many things happen both
physically and socially. Homes that arc
shabby seem to make a neighborhood
more attractive to crime and criminals.
An area in decline is like a spreading
cancer. As homes become rundown and
in need of maintenance, the residents
lose their desire to keep up the neigh­
borhood. Strcetsbccomcrcccptaclcsfor
trash, schools lower their standards and
very quickly the selling price of homes
in the area drops sharply. This acceler­
ates the cycle o f degeneration.
In order to keep and maintain the
nation's housing and neighborhoods,
government at all levels have programs
to give homeowners money (that docs
not have to be repaid) for repairs or to
lend them money at below market lev­
els or at no interest. In many areas
utility companies will do energy con­
servation work free or at low cost and in
other places will lend homeowners money
at no interest to nav the contractor of
book can be obtained for $ 10.95 plus $2
their choice for the necessary work. In
shipping and handling from CERC
addition there arc tax incentives to pro­
GRANTS,
350 Scotland Road, Orange,
mote efficient energy use.
NJ
07050
or by calling 1-800-USA-
These programs arc not restricted
0121
for
credit
card order.
to low-income people, slum areas or
Robert
L.
Berko
of CERC, tells us,
urban neighborhoods. Owners of single
“
Some
of
these
programs
have no in-
or multi-family dwellings arc eligible
for some programs regardless of income. ' come ceiling and others allow income
of as much as $100,000 per year. There
Most of the loans offer long terms and
arc even programs for which tenants are
low payments.
eligible and many allow loans or give
Some of the other home improve­
grants to poor credit risks. One of the
ments covered under these programs
authors of this book received a $5,000
arc: attic and wall insulation, new win­
N.J. grant plus a $4,000 interest free
dows, oulcrwall siding, security doors
loan from his utility company. In many
and locks, window guards, sidewalks
areas, people with disabilities can re­
and masonry work, bathrooms an kitch­
ceive grants to pay for needed repairs
ens, electrical and plumbing work, new
such as access ramps and widening of
roofs, gutters or down spouts.
doorways.”
Consumer Education Research
Since it is important that the work
Center, a national non-profit consumer
be done properly, the book describes in
group, had just published CONSUMER
detail how to pick a reputable contrac­
GUIDE TO HOME REPAIR GRANTS
tor, negotiate a contract and insure that
AND SUBSIDIZED LOANS, a 208-
work is done properly and for a fair
pagc book which lists ovcr8,500 sources
price.
of loan and grant programs offered by
For more information about CON­
all levels of government, utility compa­
SUMERS GUIDE TO HOME REPAIR
nies and others, typical programs of­
GRANTS AND SUBSIDIZED LOANS
fered and eligibility requirements. Form
Contact Robert L. Berko, CERC,
letters for inquiries to these loan and
350 Scotland Road, Orange, N.J. 07050
grant sources arc included as well as
(201) 676-6663 or outside N.J. 800-
detailed instructions on determining your
872-0121.
dcbt-lo-incomc ratio for clittibililv. The
/ decided I wanted
to establish my
own general
contracting and
real estate
development
business. I left the
School District and
worked full time as
a real estate agent
for a year.
Thereafter, I
worked with a
general contractor
for a number of
years managing
and developing his
business from a
small operation to
a “Salem success
story”
The Portland Observer
hopes you enjoyed this
years housing special
-
: j. • .
As many as 20 new or rehabilitated
homes, most in North/Northeast Port­
land, could be put on the market for
low-and moderate-income families over
the next 12-to-18 months as a result of
a loan approved today by the Portland
Development Commission (PDC).
PDC-the City’s urban renewal,
housing and economic development
agency-approved a $30,000 low-inter­
est loan under the Housing and Com­
munity Development Northeast Spe­
cial Projects Fund to Willie D. (Don)
Jones, owner and operator of J.A.M.
Development, a 100 percent minority-
owned home construction company.
Jones intends to build 1100-to-l 300
square foot, 3-bedroom homes in the
$50,000-S60,000 price range.
J.A.M. has the capability and de­
sire, according to PDC’s loan review, to
build low-cost housing in Northeast
Portland under Security Pacific Bank’s
SMART START II program, but that
the builder could not participate in the
program without initial financial sup­
port from PDC. Jones plans to utilize
minority contractors from North/North­
east and employ community residents.
The loan to J.A.M. will be used to
secure an operating line of credit from
Security Pacific, which also will pro­
vide a construction line of credit. The
bank already has 150 prequalified home
buyers seeking appropriately designed
and priced homes under SMART START
II.
Seven Reclaimed Portland Homes Available
For Ownership At PDC’S Homestead Open House
Seven homes in Portland neigh­
borhoods will be offered to lowcr-in-
comc residents at the upcom ing Home­
stead Open House on Sunday, May 5,
1991, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Port­
land Development Commission (PDC)
administers the Portland and Urban
Homestead Programs, which provide
home ownership opportunities to those
who other wise might not be able to
afford their own home. The programs
provide a significant tool to help the
city reclaim vacant and abandoned
housing, while encouraging neighbor­
hood revitalization and stability.
Through the homestead Programs,
PDC acquires vacant homes in need of
repair and transfers them to qualified
Homesteaders. In turn, Homesteaders
agree to make necessary repairs before
moving in, accept a low-interest PDC
home repair loan and live in the house
for a minimum number of years. There
is no down payment involved in be­
coming a Homesteader. Homesteaders
pay a one-time charge for taxes and in­
surance of $500. Monthly payments on
the home repair and acquisition loans
average $350, including taxes and in­
surance.
The Portland and Urban Home­
stead programs arc almost identical.
One of the differences is the residency
requirement which is five years under
the Urban Homestead Program and throe
years under the Portland Program.
Each of the seven homes to be
offered May 5 will be open between
1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Potential Home­
steaders must visit each home in which
they arc interested to be considered for
ownership. PDC will hold a random
drawing for each home and will notify
those whose names arc selected. PDC
advisors will be at each home and will
notify those whose names arc selected.
• * • ' - * -
1 I I
Minority-Owned
construction Firm To
Build Low-Cost
Housing In North/
Northeast Portland
With PDC Assistance
.
PDC advisors will be at each home to
answer questions during the open house.
The addresses of the homes being of­
fered arc:
* 716 N. Webster, 2 bedroom
* 3921 N. Borthwick, 2 bedroom
* 4135 N. Mallory, 2 bedroom*
* 8515 N. Curtis, 2 bedroom
* 4538 N.E. 6lh, 3 bedroom
* 4911 N.E. 11th, 2 bedroom*
* 1433 N.E. Portland Blvd.,
•Urban Homestead homes requir­
ing residency of five years
Individuals interested in being added
to the mailing list for Homestead Pro­
gram offerings should call PDC’s
castsidc Office at 823-3422 between
8:00 and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
Portland Development Commis­
sion is the City’s agency for urban
renewal, housing, and economic devel­
opm ent