Washington County, Metro, Bienestar and REACH CDC to hold grand opening of Plaza Los Amigos, doubling Cornelius’ affordable housing

Posted September 5, 2024

CORNELIUS, Ore. | Local elected leaders and nonprofit partners will gather this Friday to celebrate the opening of Plaza Los Amigos, a new affordable housing complex in Cornelius. With 113 family homes, it will serve low-income households earning less than 30% to 60% of the area's median income. The almost $50million development was made possible through public, private and nonprofit partnerships, including $13.6 million in funding from the voter-approved Metro affordable housing bond. Rents for two-bedroom apartments at the community start as low as $701.

The project incorporated input from the local community and leveraged businesses owned by women, people of color and service-disabled veterans, as well as emerging small businesses, during its construction. Twenty-six homes have been set aside for permanent supportive housing, which pairs housing with case management and supportive services for vulnerable community members. Non-profit owner Bienestar is also carrying out a multi-lingual marketing plan and collaborating with Centro Cultural to provide rental application and move in support to ensure equitable access.

Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington shared that, "Plaza Los Amigos is yet another example of how the regional affordable housing bond is making a real difference in people's lives in our Washington County. Through the outstanding work of our employees and partner organizations like Bienestar, we are literally building a brighter future together where everyone has access to a safe place to live."

"We rely on the sweat of farmworkers to feed our families. But too often, those same workers struggle to afford housing for their own families," Metro Councilor Juan Carlos Gonzalez said. "Plaza Los Amigos offers farmworkers and other low-income households in Cornelius affordability, as well as the convenience of living in a walkable neighborhood in close proximity to schools, high-frequency transit and outdoor recreation."

"The project's name and identity acknowledge the history of farmworkers and Latinos in Washington County and was inspired by 'Los Amigos Club,' a mutual aid association that supported migrant workers in the 60s and 70s. Many of the club's leaders later built institutions like Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center and Centro Cultural - vital institutions that serve our community," Bienestar Executive Director Nathan Teske said.

Housing Authority of Washington County: The Housing Authority's mission, as part of the County's Department of Housing Services, is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promote community strength.

Metro Housing Department: Metro is working to create new affordable housing and to reduce homelessness through the oversight of the voter-approved affordable housing bond and supportive housing services measure.

Bienestar:Bienestar builds housing, hope, and community for Latinxs, immigrants, and families in need.

REACH Community Development: REACH's mission is to create opportunities for all people to thrive by developing and promoting equitable access to quality, affordable homes, supportive services, and community.

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