Leaders from real estate firm Related Northwest, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and Catholic Charities of Oregon joined funders from Metro, Portland Housing Bureau and Oregon Housing & Community Services June 12 to mark the start of construction of Glisan Landing, 137 units of affordable housing in Northeast Portland.
A public-private partnership, Glisan Landing will provide affordable and supportive housing for low-income households with a range of incomes from 30% to 60% area median income with on-site amenities, resident services and employment opportunities. Completion is set for early 2025.
Partners for Glisan Landing affordable housing dig in June 12. Completion is slated for early 2025.
“It is a thrill to be a part of this project because it embodies Catholic teaching which says housing is not a commodity but a human right,” said Natalie Wood, executive director of Catholic Charities of Oregon.
“That’s right!” someone in the crowd called out.
“Here people will have a chance to thrive, enjoying a space of their own but also having a chance to form community with others,” Wood continued. “The building’s design will help make that happen.”
Wood noted the project includes a room for health care, job training and nearby food stores.
“In short, Glisan Landing promotes human dignity,” she said.
Wood concluded that the project leaves her feeling hopeful.
“Much has been made of Portland’s crisis of homelessness,” she said. “Glisan Landing is a smart and sensible response that comes at a time when some people are ready to give up on the problem. But Catholic Charities will not give up, and I can tell from your faces that you won’t give up either.”
Natalie M. Wood, executive director of Catholic Charities of Oregon, speaks June 12 during a groundbreaking for Glisan Landing, 137 units of affordable housing in Northeast Portland.
Located at NE 74th Avenue and Glisan Street, the 1.65-acre development consists of two buildings, Aldea and Beacon.
Aldea will be a four-story, 96-unit family building with studios, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units ranging in size from 400 to 1,200 square feet. Sixty-five percent of the units are family-sized (two-, three- and four-bedroom units), and there will be a washer and dryer in the three- and four-bedroom units.
Building amenities will include a 4,000 square foot community space complete with a multi-purpose room, computer lab, teen room, fiber arts classroom, fitness area, resident lounge, social services offices and spaces, multicultural reading room, community garden, barbeque area with outdoor seating, playground, and shared courtyard with exercise circuit. There will be 57 off-street parking spaces for residents.
IRCO will provide on-site resident services, an after-school program, job training classes, ESL classes and a multitude of on-site enrichment activities. A preschool is planned.
“IRCO is thrilled for this opportunity to integrate affordable housing, low barrier wraparound services, and no cost preschool learning for immigrant and refugee families. This project aligns with our vision for a future where refugees and immigrants belong and all communities thrive,” said Lee Po Cha, executive director of IRCO.
An illustration depicts Glisan Landing at Northeast 74th and Glisan in Portland. Catholic Charities will be part owner and will provide services to many residents.
Beacon will be a four-story, 41-unit permanent supportive housing building for low-income households with an income of 30% AMI. All units are studios with an average size of 404 square feet.
Building amenities will include a management office, community lounge, telehealth room, and laundry facilities. All residents will utilize the shared outdoor amenities, including the central courtyard connecting the two buildings.
Catholic Charities of Oregon will provide robust wrap around services including mental health services, crisis prevention, self-sufficiency and resources and referrals for employment and health care services. This is the second co-ownership partnership between Related Northwest and Catholic Charities of Oregon.
Stone Soup, a local culinary training nonprofit will operate an on-site café with a culinary and barista employment training program. Glisan Landing will be Stone Soup’s first eastside location.
“Beacon at Glisan Landing is a compassionate and sensible response that comes at a time when some people are overwhelmed by Portland’s homelessness crisis,” said Kesean Coleman, Vice President of Community Development and Housing for Catholic Charities of Oregon. “Here, residents will not only have a roof over their heads but will have a chance to thrive because of onsite services and community interaction. This kind of project should give everyone hope.”
“The 137 homes that these developments bring to Montavilla will give so many of our families and seniors the security and stability they need to thrive,” said Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio.
An illustration shows the courtyard at the future Glisan Landing.
“This development is a testament to public and private entities partnering to provide safe and affordable housing with on-site amenities, resident services, and employment opportunities for local residents. Glisan Landing is another example of Related Northwest’s commitment in addressing Portland’s affordable housing shortfall,” said Ann Silverberg, chief executive officer, Related California Northern Cal Affordable and Northwest Divisions.
Funders of the development include Metro Affordable Housing Bond, Metro Transit Oriented Development, Metro ULI Funds, Portland Housing Bureau (via the Portland Housing Bond), Portland Community Energy Fund, Oregon Housing & Community Services, General Housing Account Program Funds, Housing Trust Fund administered by OHCS, Citibank, US Bank, Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program participants and Business Oregon.
The architect of record is Holst Architecture and LMC Construction is the general contractor.
ABOUT RELATED NORTHWEST
Related Companies is a fully-integrated real estate firm that develops multifamily residential and mixed-use properties. Related has acquired and developed affordable communities along the West Coast for more than 33 years, completing more than 14,500 units of affordable housing. All Related properties are designed, built and managed to the highest standards, regardless of the income level served. Related prides itself on consistently developing best in class communities that represent industry benchmarks in design, construction, sustainability and property management.
In 2018, Related’s affordable housing footprint expanded into the Pacific Northwest. Glisan Landing is Related Northwest’s sixth development in the Portland metro area to break ground. The company has completed more than 450 affordable units and has more than 600 units under construction and in predevelopment. Related Northwest has continued the tradition of partnering with local organizations and jurisdictions with the unwavering commitment to deliver high-quality affordable housing for low-income individuals and families throughout the Northwest.
ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF OREGON
Since its founding in 1933, Catholic Charities of Oregon has been a trusted ally of the most poor and marginalized. The agency seeks to combat poverty and injustice throughout Western Oregon by providing professional, compassionate social services aimed at developing innovative and lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. Catholic Charities of Oregon is a member of Catholic Charities USA and of Caritas International, the global network of agencies that make up the charitable arm of the world-wide Catholic Church.
ABOUT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO’s) mission is to welcome, serve, and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. As a community-based organization, it empowers children, youth, families and elders from around the world to build new lives and become self-sufficient by providing more than 200 culturally and linguistically specific social services. IRCO’s vision is a future where all refugees and immigrants belong, our staff are nurtured, and all communities thrive.