Nesika Illahee

PORTLAND, OR

Goal: Provide culturally specific, affordable housing for Portland’s Native American community by addressing disparities in housing access and community stability, while integrating on-site amenities and services through key partnerships.

Nesika Illahee is a three-story, 59-unit affordable housing community designed to serve Portland’s Native American population. Funded by the Indian Housing Block Grant—an unprecedented source for an urban, off-reservation project—the development was created in partnership with the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA), and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Located in the diverse Cully neighborhood, the project addresses the pressing need for culturally specific, affordable housing for Native Americans, a population disproportionately impacted by poverty, homelessness, and displacement. Nesika Illahee offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, along with medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare services. Programming is led by NAYA, headquartered less than half a mile away, which supports over 2,300 individuals from more than 380 tribes annually.

Storytelling is central to the project’s design, with features like carved wood columns, murals, and Native artwork woven throughout. Key spaces—the lobby, community room, and outdoor plaza—are designed to foster connection and share cultural narratives. Amenities include a community garden, a fully equipped kitchen in the community room, and an inviting plaza with seating.

This project is a vital step in addressing disparities, providing stability, and fostering community for Portland’s 40,000-strong Native American population.

DEVELOPMENT

Nesika Illahee was awarded the first round of LIFT funds through OHCS, though a gap still existed for the project to move forward. The project received additional OHCS funds to close the gap, The project was able to move forward once funding was secured by the Siletz Tribe with Indian Housing Block Grant funds, through NAYA. This enabled the project to be able to provide a Native preference to the project along with extensive resident services to the tenants.

DATA
  • Number of Completion Date: 2019
  • Total Development Cost: $17M
  • Affordability: 60% AMI
  • Total Units: 59
  • Unit Mix: 43 0BD, 9 2BD, 7 3BD
  • Sustainability: Earth Advantage Platinum
TEAM
  • Developer: CDP & NAYA
  • Architect: Carleton Hart Architecture
  • Contractor: LMC Construction
  • Property Management: FPI Management
  • Resident Services Partner: NAYA & NARA
WEBSITE

PARTNERS

CDP has partnered with NAYA and NARA to provide resident services at Nesika Illahee. This project will provide housing and linkage to supportive and clinical services to the Native American community in Portland through a unique partnership with two culturally-specific providers who bring expertise in housing development, housing supportive services, education, social services, and healthcare, dental and behavioral healthcare.

NAYA

NAYA is a culturally-specific organization that has served the Native American community in Portland since 1974. Located a mile and a half from the project, the NAYA Family Center strives to fulfill its mission: “to enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education.” As an urban Indian agency, NAYA Family Center directly serves over 2,300 people from over 380 tribal backgrounds annually, through housing work, child welfare and family self-sufficiency programs, workforce training, and other efforts.

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.