Julia West House

PORTLAND, OREGON

Goal: Julia West House interweaves affordable housing with comprehensive services for houseless elders, providing residents with the support and stability they need to thrive.

Located in Downtown Portland, Julia West House will provide 90 units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) for houseless elders and BIPOC individuals earning 30% or less of the area median income with robust resident services and amenities tailored to household needs. Recent data shows that nearly a quarter of Portland’s houseless population is aged 55 and older, with BIPOC individuals overrepresented in this crisis. Julia West House is designed to address these inequities by providing a stable, supportive environment where residents can rebuild their lives.

Residents will enjoy a wide array of amenities, including a community room, communal kitchen, rooftop patio, laundry facilities, and secure bike parking. Additionally, offices for property management, resident services, and case management are located onsite. Residents at Julia West will benefit from comprehensive permanent supportive services provided by Northwest Pilot Project (NWPP) and the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA), along with resident services facilitated by Community for Positive Aging (CfPA). These organizations will collaborate with Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) and the Coordinated Access system to identify and transition future residents into the building.

Julia West House is a testament to innovation in both design and sustainability. The 12-story, 56,000 square foot high-rise, built using cross-laminated timber (CLT), is the tallest mass timber building in Oregon. This cutting-edge approach not only reduces the building’s carbon footprint but also promotes biophilic design principles, which have been shown to support mental health and well-being—particularly for populations who benefit from trauma-informed design. The building will be National Green Building Standard and Energy Star certified, ensuring long-term environmental benefits while reducing operating costs.

DEVELOPMENT

CDP purchased the site from First Presbyterian Church, who had been holding it for a suitable future development that aligned with their values of community service. Funding for the project includes a combination of public and private sources, including a 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation with equity investment by Aegon; USDA Wood Innovations funding, a Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) grant, rental assistance from OHCS; and supportive services funding from OHCS and JOHS. Construction financing is being provided by Bank of America and permanent financing is being provided by Citibank.

DATA
  • Completion Date: Est. August 2025
  • Total Development Cost: $58.6M
  • Affordability: 30% AMI
  • Total Units: 90
  • Unit Mix: 60 0BD, 30 1BD
  • Sustainability: National Green Building Standard, Energy Star Certified (Target)
TEAM
  • Developer: CDP
  • Architect: Holst Architecture
  • Contractor: Walsh Construction Co.
  • Property Management: Guardian Management
  • Resident Services Partner: NWPP, NARA, CfPA

PARTNERS

CDP takes great pride in collaborating with these organizations, serving as indispensable allies in our shared commitment to elevating the well-being of the community we serve.

Northwest Pilot Project (NWPP)

NWPP helps connect low-income and very low-income seniors (55 and over) in Multnomah County who are capable of independent living with rental housing that is safe, permanent, and affordable to them. NWPP leverages their 50 years of relationships with landlords, property managers, and community development partners to secure housing for those who are most vulnerable. What began as a volunteer group became the leading advocate for low-income seniors in Multnomah County seeking housing stability. Each year, NWPP helps stabilize the housing of about 600 seniors.

Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA)

Founded in 1970 in Portland, NARA is an Indian-owned, Indian-operated non-profit agency. NARA’s wide array of culturally specific and integrated clinical services include residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment; mental health treatment for children, youth, families and adults; primary healthcare services along with women’s specialty care and diabetes specialty care; dental services; and a youth residential substance abuse treatment program scheduled to open in April, 2017. NARA also offers multiple supportive services (including rent assistance, scattered site supportive housing, veterans’ services, vocational services, elders’ services, and street outreach) to assist our community to achieve and maintain wellness of spirit, body, mind, and culture. All NARA services are designed with cultural and spiritual needs in mind, with an emphasis on promoting strong connections to community.

Community for Positive Aging

Community for Positive Aging was founded as Hollywood Senior Center in 1973 and is a non-profit age-positive hub that offers a multitude of no cost donation-based services, a devoted team enhanced by peer run programs, and resources that empower you to learn, connect, and grow as you age. Community for Positive Aging is a caring and healthy organization that encourages intergenerational relationships, recognizes the wisdom and experience of its elders, and demonstrates awareness and respect for the aging process.