Preserving At-Risk Affordable Housing is Essential. Here’s What We’re Doing.

Right now, our housing team is upgrading three affordable housing communities to ensure their future. Two – Arbor Glen and Ankeny Woods – are existing Human Solutions properties in East Portland (more on their upgrades soon!). In partnership with Green Light Development, we recently acquired the third complex – Aldercrest Apartments in Gresham – which was for sale and at risk of becoming market-rate housing. We don’t want to see currently affordable apartments lose their affordability requirements, which reduces the amount of affordable housing in our region (the opposite of what we need).

Aldercrest Apartments, near SE 223rd and Stark, is home to 68 apartments in 12 two-story buildings. Many of the current residents are seniors, and most of the units were under an expiring HUD Section 8 contract, which limits rent to a percentage of a tenant’s income. By scooping up this property, we’re able to preserve existing affordable housing in Gresham while also improving it for current and future residents.

We brought in our resident services team – a core program at Human Solutions – and will provide long-term stability for residents with a renewed affordable housing contract that limits rent on most of the apartments to 30% of residents’ income. Low-income housing tax credits will add affordability restrictions onto the rest of the apartments.

Plus, we’re fully renovating. On Aldercrest’s exterior, we’re adding new windows, siding, doors, and roofing; a new community building; and repaired sidewalks, playground, parking lot, and landscaping. The interiors of the units will get the works: new flooring, appliances, heating, lighting, and kitchen and bathroom renovations. We’re also adding four accessible units!

Construction should be complete in December. Want to know more about living at this or another Human Solutions housing community? Visit our housing page and fill out our contact form.