Home Forward, PCC and NAYA Celebrate
Affordable Housing Development Groundbreaking in Northeast Portland.
The 84 apartment homes, co-located with the new PCC Opportunity Center, will create a vibrant community hub and on-site early learning classrooms run by NAYA.
PORTLAND, ORE. – Home Forward, Portland Community College (PCC), and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) celebrated the groundbreaking of the PCC Killingsworth apartment community in Northeast Portland. They were joined by leaders from Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), Metro, and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), along with housing advocates, funders, lenders, construction and design partners, and community leaders. The new family-focused apartment community will be co-located with the new PCC Opportunity Center at 42nd Ave., creating a vibrant community hub for families, students and the larger community.
“I am so pleased to stand here today as we break ground on the PCC Killingsworth development,” said Ivory Mathews, CEO of Home Forward. “This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of creating opportunities for families to thrive and communities to prosper.”
The new community includes 84 apartment homes comprising 18 studios, six 1-bedroom units, 45 2-bedroom units, and 15 3-bedroom units. Rent will be based on Area Median Income (AMI), with 28 homes at 30% AMI or less and 56 homes up to 60% AMI. Features include bike storage, Wi-Fi throughout, two outdoor courtyards with dining tables, a family room with lounge seating and TV, a community kitchen and dining table, a large laundry room and an experiential playscape.
Dr. Adrien L. Bennings, president of PCC, highlighted the broader impact of the PCC Opportunity Center at 42nd Ave., saying, “This project exemplifies our commitment to holistic community development. Through collaboration with key partners, we’ve created more than just a center; we’ve created a hub for opportunity and stability. The inclusion of 84 affordable housing units, alongside workforce development initiatives and educational resources, underscores our dedication to addressing the pressing housing issue while providing pathways to success for our students and the broader community. Funded by the 2017 PCC bond measure, the Opportunity Center at 42nd Ave. not only showcases sustainable design but also embodies principles of equity and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has access to a brighter future.”
The comprehensive neighborhood revitalization effort will offer a 16,000-square-foot plaza designed to support community events, and includes a casual amphitheater. The Oregon Department of Human Services has an on-site office in the Opportunity Center and Multnomah County Health Department will open a community health center next year.
“We are pleased to be supporting the early learning center with the co-location of three early learning classrooms in the apartment building,” said Oscar Arana, interim CEO of NAYA. “Culturally specific early learning is critical for child development and sets Native children up for better outcomes later in life. We believe in the power of community-led solutions. The PCC Killingsworth apartments exemplify this approach, prioritizing the needs and aspirations of residents. We are proud to be part of this transformative community.”
The PCC Killingsworth development follows best practices of community-driven solutions, with access to important programs and services that support economic mobility and close opportunity gaps. The groundbreaking ceremony symbolizes a new chapter of opportunity for the Cully and Concordia neighborhoods of Northeast Portland.
“This development will support the whole family,” said Helmi A. Hisserich, director of PHB. “It also represents a step forward in our ongoing efforts to alleviate the city’s affordable housing shortage. It underscores our commitment to collaboration to create inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods.”
The apartment community was made possible, in part, by the 2018 Metro Housing Bond funds which were then allocated to Home Forward by PHB. The homes are scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2025. Residents will have easy access to Fernhill Park, the NE 42nd Avenue commercial district, and bus stops with frequent service lines.
“When voters approved the Metro affordable housing bond in 2018, it demonstrated the region’s commitment to building with a focus on equity,” said Metro Housing Director Patricia Rojas. “That means affordable apartment communities like this one are intentionally located in neighborhoods where residents of color are vulnerable to displacement.”
“PCC Killingsworth aligns with OHCS and the Governor’s vision for increasing the supply of affordable housing across the state,” said OHCS Director of Affordable Rental Housing Natasha Detweiler-Daby. “The collaborative approach taken by Home Forward, PCC and NAYA is a model for holistic community development.”
Construction and design are being led by O’Neill/Walsh Community Builders, Hacker Architects and Akana Architects. In addition to the Metro Regional Housing Bond funds issued by PHB, other funding was made possible by the Portland Clean Energy Fund, Department of Administrative Services, CitiBank and Wells Fargo.
Access the media kit with photos from the event and other background materials here.
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About Home Forward
Home Forward is the largest provider of affordable housing in the state of Oregon. Its mission is to ensure that the people of the community are sheltered. Home Forward has a special responsibility to those who encounter barriers to housing because of income, disability, or special need. Go to homeforward.org or call (503) 802-8300 for more information.
About Portland Community College:
PCC is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon, serving over 50,000 full-time and part-time students. It offers high-quality education and opportunities for our students, which in turn contributes to the vibrancy of Portland’s economic community. Go to pcc.edu for more information.
About Native American Youth and Family Center:
NAYA is a family of numerous tribes and voices who are rooted in sustaining tradition and building cultural wealth. They provide culturally-specific programs and services that guide Native people in the direction of personal success and balance through cultural empowerment. Go to nayapdx.org for more information.
Contact:
Martha Calhoon
Chief Communications Officer
Home Forward
Martha.Calhoon@homeforward.org
