Noemi Cagatin-Porter's
Quick Facts
Noemi Cagatin-Porter has spent over 13 years in real estate, flipping and selling 70+ homes and building a portfolio of 25–30 properties in Pierce County. As a licensed and bonded General Contractor, she served as the primary contractor for three Lowe’s stores, completing 330+ projects from kitchen and bathroom renovations to siding, windows, and flooring.
Born in the Philippines, Noemi immigrated to the U.S. for better opportunities. Her experience with poverty and housing insecurity—including a period of homelessness while raising three children—inspires her work in affordable housing and financial literacy for underrepresented communities.
In 2020, Noemi founded CJK Community Homes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable rental housing and supportive case management services to families across Pierce County. The organization has already made a significant impact, serving 135 individuals, including 25 families and 30 single adults.
Tacoma, WA | Affordable Housing Developer, General Contractor, Founder of CJK Community Homes
Vision and Impact
Noemi's work extends beyond housing construction to building generational wealth within BIPOC communities. Her current projects include developing a 17-micro-unit property for long-term affordable housing and nine townhouses designed specifically for first-time homebuyers from low and middle-income backgrounds.
Her approach to construction reflects her commitment to inclusivity and practical needs—incorporating features like ADA-compliant mother-in-law units to allow residents to age in place and multi-generational housing designs that accommodate families of various sizes and needs.
Her advice to aspiring developers, especially those from underrepresented communities? "Reach out and ask for help. Be humble about how you approach things because there's so much to learn from other people. Take advantage of available resources and don't be ashamed to ask for help."
Through determination, resilience, and community support, Noemi Cagatin-Porter transforms lives, empowering families to build stability and wealth through housing one project at a time.
Join the team
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
