The Dr. Darrell Millner Building

PORTLAND, OREGON

Goal: Serve as culturally specific affordable housing for displaced and longtime residents of North/Northeast Portland.

The Dr. Darrell Millner Building is developed in partnership by Community Development Partners (CDP) and Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) underneath the Alberta Alive umbrella. Located on N. Interstate in Portland’s Overlook neighborhood, the project plays a vital role in offering previously displaced residents the opportunity to return to an area that was historically home to a vibrant Black community in North Portland.

The Millner includes 63 affordable homes for households earning up to 60% of the AMI, with a family-focused unit mix of 15 one-bedrooms, 23 two-bedrooms, and 25 three-bedrooms—75% of which are two or more bedrooms. All units are reserved for households eligible under the City of Portland’s North/Northeast Preference Policy, which prioritizes applicants with generational ties to the area.

The ground floor features 2,500 square feet of neighborhood-serving commercial space, along with bike and car parking, a communal outdoor area, and public art murals. Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) will lead on-site resident services through a culturally responsive plan tailored to the community. Services include on-site events and connections to SEI’s school-based and after-school programs at the nearby Center for Self Enhancement, as well as adult programming in parenting, financial literacy, matched savings, credit repair, and homeownership.

DEVELOPMENT

The Dr. Darrell Millner Building was awarded to CDP/SEI through Portland Housing Bureau’s 2022 Metro Bond Offering and came with $9.36M of Metro Housing Bonds. Other sources include $15M of Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits (4% LIHTC’s), Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Multi-family Energy Program Grant Funds, and deferred development fee.

DATA
  • Completion Date: July 2024
  • Total Development Cost: $34.5M
  • Affordability: 30% - 60% AMI
  • Total Units: 63
  • Unit Mix: 16 1BD, 23 2BD, 25 3BD
  • Sustainability: Earth Advantage Gold
TEAM
  • Developer: CDP & SEI
  • Architect: Carleton Hart Architecture
  • Contractor: LMC Construction
  • Property Management: Guardian Management LLC
  • Resident Services Partner: SEI
WEBSITE

PARTNERS

CDP is proud to partner with these organizations on our newest addition to Alberta Alive, who are critical team members that share our vision for Alberta Alive – championing the revival of Black N/NE Portland, where residents can feel at home and connected with their neighbors, creating a strong community that will retain, attract, and grow generations of Black legacy.

Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI)

Founded in 1981, Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and partner community organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of community life by being a comprehensive, one-stop resource for African-American youth and families and others living in poverty and seeking culturally responsive services. Today, SEI is Oregon’s largest African American-led nonprofit multi-service organization, and second-largest minority-operated employer.

Portland Housing Bureau (PHB)

The Dr. Darrell Millner Building received project support from the Portland Housing Bureau, a government organization dedicated to the vision of ensuring that all Portlanders can access affordable housing equitably. Their N/NE Preference Policy program addresses the harmful impacts of urban renewal by giving preference to housing applicants with generational ties to North/Northeast Portland. The Dr. Darrell Millner Building applies this preference to their leasing process.