New affordable housing project in desirable North Portland neighborhood breaks ground, will give preference to displaced families

Press Release

The 75-home complex will give preference to applicants with historical ties to North and Northeast Portland and who have been involuntarily displaced or are at risk of displacement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCT. 17, 2024

Media Contacts:
Gabriel Mathews, Portland Housing Bureau, 503-865-6867
[email protected]

Emily Green, Metro, 541-653-0196
[email protected]

EVENT DETAILS: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 22 at 4985 N Williams Ave., Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. - At the prominent intersection of North Alberta St. and Williams Ave. in Portland's Humboldt neighborhood, builders will soon break ground on the Strong property, the newest addition to the Alberta Alive series of affordable housing developments.

These communities are subject to Portland's N/NE Preference Policy, which aims to address the harmful impacts of urban renewal, eminent domain and historical inequitable housing practices in North and Northeast Portland.

On Tuesday, local elected leaders from Metro and the City of Portland will join other project partners to celebrate the kickoff of development on the property, which was purchased from the Strong family, longtime residents of the area.

"This is what housing justice looks like," Metro Councilor Mary Nolan said. "Thanks to voters, the Metro affordable housing bond is available to help fund this project, which seeks to mitigate the harmful impacts of gentrification. The Strong property will enable Black families with deep roots in this now highly resourced and high-rent neighborhood to move back in and thrive here for years to come."

"As we near the 10th anniversary of PHB's N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy, we are deeply grateful to support another Alberta Alive project in order to help address the City's detrimental urban renewal practices from decades past," PHB Equity & Business Operations Manager Leslie Goodlow said. "Over the past decade, PHB has helped to develop over 560 affordable rental units in this area that are subject to our nationally-recognized N/NE Preference Policy, and the Strong property development will build on our legacy of supporting Black families in returning to this neighborhood."

Like other Alberta Alive sites, this property will be co-owned and developed by Community Development Partners and Self Enhancement, Inc., which will provide culturally responsive resident services at the building once it's complete.

Preference will be given to applicants with historical ties to the neighborhood, and those who are at risk of displacement or who have already been displaced from the area. Incomes are limited to less than 30% and 60% of the area median income.

This 75-apartment complex is being funded through a mix of public and private funding, including $3.15 million from the voter-approved Metro affordable housing bond, allocated by the city of Portland. There are over 2,000 new, Metro bond-funded affordable homes either open or in production across the city.

Parking: Event parking will be available at a lot located across the street from the Human Services Department at 30 N Webster St, Portland, OR 97217

Photos will be available upon request following the event.

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ABOUT METRO HOUSING DEPARTMENT: Metro is working to create new affordable housing and to reduce homelessness through services that support housing access and stability. It does this through the oversight of two measures: In 2018, voters in greater Portland approved the affordable housing bondto generate $652.8 million to create homes for approximately 12,000 people, and in May 2020, voters approved a supportive housing services fundto expand services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Metro collaborates with local cities and counties to implement these local solutions to address a homelessness crisis affecting all communities across greater Portland.

ABOUT PORTLAND HOUSING BUREAU: Guided by a vision that all Portlanders should have equitable access to affordable housing and to the opportunities that a safe, stable home can deliver, the Portland Housing Bureau leads housing policy for the City of Portland and administrates programs to produce affordable rental housing, expand homeownership and stabilize homeowners, and regulate and assist tenants and landlords in the rental housing market. PHB has in recent years overseen the $258 million Portland Housing Bond, and the City's $211 million allocation of the Metro Affordable Housing Bond to produce nearly 4,000 affordable homes.