Home Will Include Green Features

Drawing depicts plans for a seven unit facility that will feature a central kitchen, common space, and a landscaped courtyard in a serene setting on Roseburg’s new non-profit campus.

May 2, 2007 – Decked with solar panels on its low-pitched roof and made of recycled material throughout, "David’s House" will not only showcase new energy-saving "green” innovations, but will also provide a home to people inflicted by traumatic brain injuries. NeighborWorks member Umpqua CDC is working with Umpqua Homes for the Handicapped, which is spearheading the project.

The $1.3 million facility, in Roseburg, Oregon, had its groundbreaking in mid-April and is scheduled to be completed by January 2008. The house is the namesake of the late David W. Coombs, the former chief financial officer of Umpqua CDC, who died from head injuries after a July 2004 car accident.

Umpqua Homes for the Handicapped will operate the facility that will be constructed on Roseburg’s newly developing non-profit campus. It is a lovely setting nestled in the oak trees and will feature specially designed accommodations with a very home-like atmosphere.

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio attended the April groundbreaking, presenting a $339,000 NeighborWorks® America check to Umpqua CDC staff. Other partners include Oregon Housing & Community Services, Meyer Memorial Trust, and Douglas County, and Umpqua Homes for the Handicapped.

Left to right:  Sandra Coombs, (daughter of the
namesake of “David’s House”), Congressman
Peter DeFazio, Bob Jacobson, director of Umpqua
Homes for the Handicapped ( partner on this
project), Betty Tamm, executive director, Umpqua
CDC, and Richard Castro, NeighborWorks America.

David’s House will be designed to help traumatic brain injured (TBI) individuals best recover from the damage incurred by their injuries and to learn to cope with their disabilities. Umpqua Homes has shown that the best success in the rehabilitation of these individuals is by integrating service inauguration at the earliest juncture by bringing them into a facility as soon as their medical rehabilitation has been completed.

Treatment of traumatic brain injured individuals is a relatively new concept. Traditionally
these individuals were released to the community, to their families and friends, often
with minimal success. Many TBI victims end up homeless, living under bridges and the
like, as they are unable to re-assimilate into society without long term re-training during
an extended recovery period.