Unite Oregon Organizes Affordable Housing Study Tour in Collaboration with the City of Beaverton
On Saturday, April 22nd, Unite Oregon organized and hosted an Affordable House Study Tour in collaboration with the City of Beaverton. The tour was designed to educate members of the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Program cohort, the Cooper Mountain Advisory Group, the Housing Technical Advisory Group, and other housing and leadership development programs about the affordable housing projects in the area.
The tour showcased two projects - REACH's Mary Ann in downtown Beaverton and the South Cooper Mountain affordable housing projects, which includes BRIDGE's Goldcrest and Wishcamper's South Cooper Mountain.
The study tour celebrated the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Cohort (BIHC) community members who have become prominent housing justice leaders in Beaverton. The program started in 2020 to provide a structured Housing Leadership Cohort for emerging immigrant and refugee leaders who live in the City of Beaverton.
It aimed to empower BIPOC residents to participate in the decision-making of local housing issues and help shape more housing options in existing neighborhoods in the City of Beaverton. More than 30 immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC community members have graduated from the program, receiving education on tenants' rights, how to access and apply to affordable housing, advocacy skills, and organizing.
Annali Fuentes (she/her), member of the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Cohort, “The leadership from Unite Oregon has been able to organize and engage the community has been amazing. As a daughter of immigrants, I feel privileged and feel connected to Unite’s work.”
LET THE TOUR BEGIN!
The tour commenced early Saturday morning at Brickhaus Coffee with bagels! Community members were excited to reconnect in person after being in virtual spaces throughout the program.
Special shoutout to Taurino, our bus driver for the day!
The first affordable housing apartment we stopped at was The Mary Ann, where community members received a tour.
Dan Valliere, Chief Executive Officer at REACH CDC, presented and engaged with Beaverton residents on how the Mary Ann project was built and funded, emphasizing the importance of community-based development projects.
“This room itself is community-based development. We wanted a room for residents and the larger community to access and enjoy,” said Dan Valliere, Chief Executive Officer at REACH CDC.
Nathan Teske, Executive Director of Bienstar, also attended and shared the equity-driven community services their organization provides residents.
The second stop was Wishcamper's South Cooper Mountain affordable housing project, currently being built next to Mountainside High School.
During the bus ride to the second location, Javier Mena, Affordable Housing Manager for the City of Beaverton (photo to the left), shared how to fund affordable housing and upcoming projects like Goldcrest Apartments.
“We are thankful for our partnership with Unite Oregon and the friendships we have created with community members over the past three years. These types of partnerships are integral for our ongoing efforts to connect with our Black, Indigenous, Communities of Color and marginalized communities.
Javier continued, “As we look to the next three years, the city will issue a new Request for Proposals; a similar partnership will assist in community engagement and leadership development within our targeted communities.” Javier, Affordable Housing Manager, City of Beaverton
Upon arriving at the Wishcamper affordable housing project, Colas Construction, a Black-owned construction firm based in Portland, Oregon, welcomed everyone with safety gear and smiles. CEO and President Andrew Colas delivered a meaningful message to support more BIPOC construction companies/contractors to set up as the primary for spearheading future projects.
“You are going to visit two construction sites that are run by a BIPOC general contractor. White-led contractors lead 98% of the job sites you visit. It is very unusual for there to be a black, indigenous, or Latinx person of color. So for us, it is a privilege to be on this project to bring our value system to the work we are doing,” said Andrew Colas, CEO and President.
Justin Metcalf, President of Wishcamper Development Partners, who is leading the new affordable housing project in South Cooper Mountain, spoke on how equity would be embedded throughout the process. From contracting Colas Construction Company to partnering with Unite Oregon to lead the engagement, Justin has been working closely with the City of Beaverton to partner with trusted community-based organizations and businesses to help build an inclusive, affordable housing project.
The affordable housing project is located within Wishcamper’s 42-acre master-planned community and adjacent to the new Moutain High School, 13 acres of public open space and trail network, two public parks, and a future civic/commercial hub.
“Typically, these type of opportunities goes to people who are online and have experience navigating affordable housing. By partnering with Unite Oregon, we can reach out to underserved communities and talk about the availability of affordable housing and how to access it.” Justin Metcalf, President of Wishcamper Development Partners
The final stop was Goldcrest Apartments, where 75 affordable family apartment homes are being developed by BRIDGE Housing in South Cooper Mountain. With an anticipated construction completion in late spring 2024, application information for Goldcrest is not currently available; however, should you wish to sign up for the property mailing list, please visit their website to sign up to receive an electronic flyer once the project is completed.
After visiting three affordable housing sites, the tour ended with a group photo, marking the end of an eventful day.
Melinda Bell, a Member of the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Program Cohort and the Washington County Equitable Housing Coalition, said, “My main takeaway from the study tour and the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Cohort is that the city of Beaverton is finally trying to make equitable housing for all— which is great.”
She continued, “I benefited from this bus tour by seeing a BIPOC construction company like Colas construction hire people of color from start to finish. Also, when the Wishcamper affordable houses project is completed, low-income families can get an education and live in a neighborhood they would not necessarily be able to under the old policies and procedures.”
Unite Oregon looks forward to creating more opportunities for the immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities to access affordable housing and ultimately being at the decision-making table to develop solutions and policies that will positively impact residents of Washington County.
As the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Program ends, there are still plenty more events, programs, and volunteer and advocacy opportunities for members to continue their efforts in supporting Unite’s mission. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on our socials to stay updated!
We thank Community Housing Fund and Homeplate Youth Services, who participated in the study tour and supported Unite’s mission to build an intercultural movement in Oregon.
