First bond-funded affordable housing development
Urban League of Portland President and CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson cut’s the ribbon for the Grand Opening of the Hattie Redmond Apartments. Photo by Shawntell Washington of the Portland Observer
Urban League of Portland and Home Forward hosted a grand opening, ribbon cutting ceremony and tour April 4th for the Hattie Redmond Apartments, a 60-unit new construction development that will provide permanent supportive housing to people with disabilities who are exiting homelessness. The apartment community is situated in the Albina neighborhood of Portland, the historic center of Portland’s Black community. The building was co-developed by Home Forward, with extensive design and services input from Urban League of Portland, the co-developer. Home Forward will serve as the property manager and owner and Urban League of Portland will provide on-site supportive services to all residents.
The unique partnership was intended to provide culturally-responsive services to address homelessness in the Black community, a population overrepresented yet underserved in the unhoused community. The property was funded by the 2018 Metro Affordable Housing Bond allocated by the Portland Housing Bureau, along with Oregon Housing and Community Services and US Bank. PGE Renewable Development Fund and Energy Trust of Oregon provided financial support for the Solar PV system. SERA Architects and Bremik Construction led the design and construction.
An on-site team will include a resident services coordinator, case managers and peer support specialists. Urban League, an organization that serves and advocates for the African American community in Portland, will rely on its success with their Project HAVEN permanent supportive housing program and will integrate trauma-informed, culturally specific, and client-centered input into the building design, financing and programming. A team of housing specialists and case managers help each resident maintain housing stability by supporting individual needs, whether it is teaching life skills, balancing a budget, or attending a medical appointment.