M Carter Commons Has Opened

View full size image of Portland Housing Bureau graphic showing a rendering of M. Carter Commons overlaid on a map of PHB projects in Portland. Reads: "M. Carter Commons. Opening Spring 2026. 62 affordable units, studios and 1-bedrooms. 21 deeply affordable units. Located near medical services, transit, parks."

M Carter Commons is now open! Subject to the N/NE Preference Policy, this project brings 62 new affordable homes to Overlook, directly adjacent to Kaiser Permanente and Overlook Park. Made up of studios and 1-bedrooms, M Carter Commons is ideally suited for low-income seniors.

Recognizing a need for greater affordability in regulated housing, PHB invested funds to lower rent in 41 units at M Carter Commons from the 60% AMI level to the 45% AMI level, putting these homes in reach of those in need. This "rent buydown" strategy is a new approach the Bureau aims to implement more frequently in the near future, in accordance with City Council's priorities. The remaining 21 units are regulated at 30% AMI for deep affordability, thanks to 11 Project-Based Section 8 Vouchers and Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits (OAHTCs).

Developed by Urban League of Portland and Northwest Housing Alternatives, M Carter Commons is named for Margaret Louise Carter, Oregon's first Black woman state legislator. The project was constructed on land donated by Kaiser Permanente. Amenities include a community room, a protected courtyard, as well as supportive services from Urban League and a MAX stop steps away. The project was designed by Salarzar Architect and O'Neill Walsh Community Builders served as general contractor.

Via the N/NE Preference Policy, this project prioritizes applicants who were impacted by urban renewal in the area. Funds from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) were used to install high-efficiency HVAC systems and insulation, lowering utility costs for residents.

PHB deployed Metro Housing Bond dollars to fund M Carter Commons. The Bond will provide affordable homes for over 5000 low-income Portlanders, with 1268 units now open. Thank you to metro-area voters for supporting affordable housing!

Learn more about M Carter Commons.

Learn more about the Metro Housing Bond.

Learn more about the N/NE Preference Policy.

Learn more about PCEF in affordable housing.

View full size image of Portland Housing Bureau graphic reading: "Metro Housing Bond: Portland Score Card. GOAL: 1,475 TOTAL UNITS - EXCEEDED: 2,154+ UNITS. GOAL: 300 UNITS OF PSH - EXCEEDED: 393+ UNITS. GOAL: 737 FAMILY-SIZED UNITS - EXCEEDED: 988+ UNITS. GOAL: 605 UNITS AT 30% AMI - EXCEEDED: 698+ UNITS. $211 million = affordable homes for 5,300+ Portlanders. All funds allocated or earmarked, additional units TBA."