Hello North/Northeast Community, and happy Black History Month! I hope our Winter 2025 newsletter finds you all safe, warm, acutely aware and proud of the significant contributions of African Americans to American culture, particularly those whose shoulders we stand on.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy! Where has the time gone? In the past ten years we have accomplished a great deal, and I am so proud of the work of the N/NE Oversight Committee, Preference Policy Staff, and everyone that has contributed to the strategies’ success.
Here are some upcoming projects made possible by this work:
The Strong Family Apartments, scheduled to open in Spring 2026, is located at N. Alberta Street and N. Williams Avenue and purchased by PHB from the Strong family, long-time neighborhood residents. This property embodies both visual and historical significance for long-time residents of North and Northeast Portland. Of the 75 total units, 11 will be affordable to households earning 30% AMI or below and 54 units will be family-sized, with 2 or more bedrooms. With a focus on fostering community among residents, the project also includes a large outdoor courtyard, private playground area, laundry and an indoor community room!
M. Carter Commons, scheduled to open Fall 2026, is a new affordable apartment development on North Interstate Avenue and Overlook Park. This development will have 62 affordable and accessible apartment homes for residents 55 years and older, as well as one unrestricted on-site manager's unit, community room, property management and resident services offices, laundry and a protected courtyard accessible to the residents. Named M. Carter Commons after Margaret Louise Carter, Oregon’s first Black woman legislator, the property is also located one block of the historically Black Albina District neighborhoods and ideally located for affordable senior housing and focused on serving communities of color!
Williams & Russell Apartments, scheduled to open in Spring 2026, also aims to help revitalize the historic Black neighborhood of Albina. It will bring 85 affordable homes for rent, 20 affordable homes for purchase and a Black Business Hub to a vacant block previously owned by Legacy Health. Five of the homes for sale will include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and another five will be fully ADA accessible. These homes will offer homeownership opportunities to families earning between 60 and 120% Area Median Income (AMI). The rental complex will focus on family-sized units at the 30-60% AMI level, and will include a community room, resident services, outdoor space and a culturally specific daycare. Both portions are subject to the N/NE Preference Policy.
As I reflect on the remarkable progress of the N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy, I recognize how far we have come, and how far we have yet to come. Please join me in celebrating everyone who has poured into the wonderful effort to help heal past housing injustices and set a path forward for needed change.
Sincerely,
Leslie Goodlow, MSW
Business Operations & Equity Manager
Portland Housing Bureau
News:
New Rental Housing Opportunities
Dear community members! We are excited to announce two upcoming rental housing opportunities coming up in summer 2025 and fall 2026.
Summer 2025: Albina One
Developed by Albina Vision Trust, this vibrant new community will open its doors in the heart of Portland’s historic Albina neighborhood, honoring the legacy of this cherished area.
Fall 2026: M. Carter Commons
A collaborative effort by the Urban League of Portland and Northwest Housing Alternatives, M. Carter Commons will provide another exceptional housing option for people 55 and older when it opens in fall 2026.
Both buildings include units subject to Portland’s N/NE Preference Policy, designed to prioritize families with historic ties to North and Northeast Portland.
Prepare to Apply
While there’s no rush to apply, remember preference points are key, not how quickly you apply. Points are awarded based on your or your family’s historic connection to the neighborhood.
We encourage you to start thinking about and listing all the places you or your ancestors (direct relations, not by marriage) or guardians may have lived in the past within the identified areas.
- This list is for your own reference, and no proof of eligibility is needed for it.
- Use this map to check eligible areas: N/NE Housing Preference Policy Map and Preference Points.
Stay Connected
We’ll provide more details as the application periods approach for Albina One and M. Carter Commons.
These developments offer a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the neighborhoods that hold a special place in your family’s history.
Albina Early Head Start / Albina Head Start
Albina Head Start is now accepting proof of Employment Related Day Care (ERDC). Families with approved hours will receive priority placement if slots are available.
If applying for ERDC - Complete an application at: ONE Home Page or request an application to be mailed. If you need a paper application, we can email or mail upon request. All paper applications must be submitted to a local DHS office.
If approved for ERDC - Send proof of hours to: erdcteam@albinaheadstart.org immediately.
Albina Head Start provides full-day services (Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm). They are closed for In Service (2 Fridays per month), Holidays, Winter, Spring, and Summer Break. If you need care during the scheduled closure days, please contact 211 for the secondary provider listing.
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Albina Head Start at: erdcteam@albinaheadstart.org
Homeownership Tips & Services
Homeownership is a vital way to build wealth, but for many Black homeowners, systemic barriers like redlining and biased lending have made this path more challenging. Despite these obstacles, building home equity and investing in property remains a powerful way to secure financial stability and pass wealth across generations.
Home equity is the difference between a home’s value and the mortgage balance. Equity grows through consistent payments and rising property values. Black homeowners can increase equity by:
- Maintaining and upgrading their property, which boosts value.
- Refinancing to secure better loan terms or lower interest rates.
Investing in real estate or renting out parts of a home can generate income and accelerate equity growth. Additionally, purchasing rental properties can create passive income and long-term wealth.
It is also important to have a plan to transfer wealth across generations. To protect and transfer this wealth:
- Create an estate plan to ensure property is inherited smoothly.
- Educate future generations about managing finances, mortgages, and investments.
Many Black homeowners face a financial education gap, which can hinder wealth-building efforts. To bridge this, homeowners can:
- Seek HUD-approved counseling for budgeting and mortgage advice.
- Join community-based financial programs for homeownership and investment education.
By focusing on increasing equity, investing in property, educating themselves, and protecting future generational wealth, Black homeowners can build lasting wealth despite systemic challenges. With the right strategies and resources, homeownership can be a powerful tool for financial empowerment and generational wealth.
For more information on homeowner services, check out PHB’s webpage on resources for buying a home.
N/NE Preference Policy Rental Housing Waitlist: Important Information for Participants
How the Waitlist Works
We want to make sure everyone understands how the waitlist is organized. When you apply, your place on the list is determined by points, which are based on your connection to North/Northeast Portland. You can earn up to six points—up to three points for your current or former address and up to three more for your parent’s, guardian’s, or ancestor’s address. Those with more points are referred sooner, while those with fewer or no points will be referred later, after higher-point households have been offered units. Even if you don’t have ties to North/Northeast Portland, you’re still welcome to apply.
Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date
It’s very important that we have your correct contact information. If your email, phone number, or address changes, let us know as soon as possible. If we cannot reach you, we may have to remove you from the waitlist—and we do not want that to happen! Keeping your info up to date ensures that you won’t miss out on any important notices or opportunities.
Security Deposit Assistance Available
We’re here to help! If you’re approved for a unit in a Preference Policy building, you can get help covering your security deposit and other moving costs. We want to make your move is as smooth as possible. Ask your leasing agent about this opportunity approval for a unit within one of our open buildings.
If you have any questions about the security deposit assistance program, feel free to reach out to Dyvisha.Gordon@portlandoregon.gov.
Quick Reminders
- We process applications every 2-4 weeks.
- Make sure your contact information is current—this helps us keep you on the list!
- You’ll be referred to a property when your point cohort is next in line.
- Security deposit assistance is available if you’re approved for a unit.
- If you have any questions or need to update your information, contact us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Contact Information
Email: PHBWaitlist@portlandoregon.gov
Phone: (503) 823-4147
Preference Policy Rental Housing Opportunities
Open Buildings:
Beatrice Morrow
Charlotte B. Rutherford Place
Dr. Darrell Millner Building
Garlington Place
Magnolia II
King + Parks
Renaissance Commons
Songbird
Buildings in the Pipeline:
Albina One
Carter Commons
Strong Family Site
Williams & Russell Project
Thank you for being part of this process. We’re excited to support you on your housing journey!
Diversity in Contracting: Business Spotlight
Vanport Construction & Remodeling
Dennis Harris knows construction—with over 30 years of experience owning his own construction company, he feels good about where his career has taken him and what he is able to give back as a result.
When asked how he got into construction, he shared that his friend's father and owner of Walsh Construction Tom Walsh pitched the idea to him while he was working for Safeway. "At the same time [former Oregon State Senator] Margaret Carter was working to get folks into construction and mentioned it to me."
More than a decade later, the greatest benefit of the job remains the same. "You get to see a project completed, and you see things change for the better—things that improve people lives." Dennis has built nearly a dozen affordable townhomes for low-income families while working for Portland Community Reinvestments Initiatives (PCRI), primarily in North and Northeast Portland. He also completed a variety of construction and home repair projects for the Portland Housing Bureau, helping seniors and others with their home repairs needs.
Today, Dennis' company, Vanport Remodeling & Construction, specializes in installing bathrooms, kitchens, garages, ADU's, and home repairs.
What does the future hold? "Continued growth, intentional partnerships, and helping more young people get involved in the industry" he shared. Partnerships are important because no one can do it all alone, and it improves overall quality—and getting young people involved is imperative.
“We are aging out. Folks are starting to retire, and that’s why prices are so high, and people have backlogs.” Dennis regularly attends events where he speaks with youth about the benefits of the trades. "I let them know you can work and stack your money, while others are figuring out what they want to do while in school."
To learn more about Vanport Remodeling & Construction and their services, contact Dennis Harris at dennis@vanportremodling.com, or 503-704-7671.
Calendar
March 2025
- AAAH Estate Planning 101 Webinar
Monday, March 4
6pm - 7pm
Online: Register here. - Proud Ground 25th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, March 6 at The Redd, Portland
5:30 - 8:00pm
Purchase Tickets here - N/NE Oversight Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, March 13
6pm - 8pm
In-person: New Song Church (Community Center)- 220 NE Russell St., Portland
Zoom: Register here. - AAAH First-Time Homebuyer Class
Saturday, March 22
9am - 5pm
Register here