By Pat Stephens for The Columbian

Part of the magic of childhood is a fort, or a dollhouse, or a playhouse just the right size to let imaginations go wild. The 2007 Parade of Homes encourages that bit of childhood fun with their silent auction of children’s playhouses. Two builders stepped up to the plate and created these diminutive custom homes, and you could take one home if you are the lucky high bidder.

The playhouses will be on display at the Parade of Homes site, and auction sheets will be provided there.

The two playhouse builders this year are Parr Lumber and Fazzolari Homes. They will each have a unique design that will appeal to the younger family members -- a perfect addition to any backyard.

Proceeds from this year’s auction will benefit the Community Housing Resource Center (formerly Home Ownership Center), a Vancouver non-profit that provides home ownership education, financial evaluations and counseling, credit repair and debt management education for anyone in the community.

“We’re so grateful to have this opportunity for a significant donation that will provide basic operating support for the Center," said Teri Duffy, executive director. “Just like the people we work with, we recently had a rent increase and had to move to different, more economical office space," so this support will play a role in keeping the doors open.

The new office, located at 2700 NE Andersen Road Suite D3, is in the heart of an area that will be receiving more attention from the Center’s new initiatives. “We will be taking an active role with the City of Vancouver, providing community organizing and outreach work in the Fourth Plain redevelopment area. A new community coordinator is being hired, and that person’s role will be to get the community more involved in the redevelopment priorities," said Duffy.

The Community Housing Resource Center will also be involved in the City of Vancouver’s rehab loan program for homeowners in the Fourth Plain area. These loans will help those who could not otherwise afford needed improvements and repairs. Sometimes improving the look and functionality of one home will begin the transformation of an entire neighborhood.

The Center also provides a variety of educational opportunities, including in-depth financial counseling through their six-hour Credit Smart classes. After going through the class, participants are given one-on-one counseling for credit repair, debt management, and savings counseling. A counselor reviews a confidential credit report with them in a private session, and can help people turn around their financial life.

“We are seeing more seniors who are looking for ways to use equity in their homes and need knowledge, more young adults who are struggling financially because of loans and lack of financial know-how, and more adults who have challenges and need help sorting it all out."

“Last year the Center helped 156 families remain in their homes!" said Duffy with pride. The playhouse auction will help the Center continue to provide help and assistance.

The playhouse auction is a silent auction, with a bid sheet attached to each playhouse. Bidding starts on the first day of the event (August 10) and closes at 9PM on August 26, 2007. (Minimum bid for each is $1,000.)  The bids are posted on the Parade of Homes' web site.