Project partners to celebrate opening of large affordable housing complex for agricultural workers, others, in Oregon City
September 3, 2024
Supported by the Metro affordable housing bond, the 171-home community is geared toward housing families and will offer a publicly accessible park
OREGON CITY, Ore. – Local elected officials from Metro, Clackamas County and Oregon City will join Community Development Partners, Hacienda CDC and other partners on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of a large, affordable housing community in Oregon City. Las Flores, or “The Flowers,” features 171 apartment homes in a park-like setting and was built with the needs of agricultural workers and low-income families in mind.
With support from the federal Agricultural Workforce Housing Tax Credit program, 12 homes are being set aside for agricultural workers, and all homes will serve low-income households earning less than 30% to 60% of the area median income. Seventeen homes include services for households exiting homelessness, with eight of those homes reserved specifically for formerly homeless U.S. military veterans.
The complex includes 75 three- and four-bedroom apartments situated around a green space that serves as a publicly accessible park, making Las Flores perfect for large families and multi-generational households. The grounds will also feature a playground, community gardens, mature trees and walking paths.
“Oregon City is lucky to be so close to farm country, with vineyards, orchards and flower farms just a few minutes’ drive away,” said Metro Councilor Christine Lewis. “But that also means that laborers tending to those crops are looking to this community for their housing needs. With Las Flores, we’re opening our community up to the people who help make this part of our region so special.”
“Adding this many new apartment homes that low-income people can afford is momentous for this area,” Clackamas County Vice Chair Ben West said. “We know that rents have become out of reach for lots of people, and I believe that everyone should be able to afford to live in our beautiful county.”
“True to its name, Hacienda CDC and its partners planted the seeds for the development of this project, which has grown over these past few years and has blossomed into a project which will not only truly benefit the community, but give people a place they can call home,” said Oregon City’s Mayor, Denyse McGriff.
“Hacienda CDC has invested in our communities’ growth for over 30 years,” Hacienda CEO Ernesto Fonseca said. “Las Flores is another example of a community we are trying to build not just through housing, but also through significant services. We uplift the lives of residents with after-school programs, enriching educational programs, and resident services. Hacienda’s services are intended to empower everyone, from the little ones to the older generations, and eventually guide these families towards the opportunity of homeownership.”
“This project design put the needs of the community and future residents at the forefront, creating strong pedestrian connections, improved access to transportation, generous and flexible outdoor amenity spaces, and a beautiful, shared community building,” said Eric Paine, CEO of developer Community Development Partners.
The $71.5 million project was funded by a mix of public and private funding, including approximately $16 million from the voter-approved Metro affordable housing bond. The project also receives regional supportive housing services funding.
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ABOUT METRO HOUSING: Metro is working to create new affordable housing and to reduce homelessness through the oversight of the voter-approved affordable housing bond and supportive housing services measure. Metro collaborates with local cities and counties to implement these local solutions to address a homelessness crisis affecting all communities across greater Portland. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov.
ABOUT CLACKAMAS COUNTY: Clackamas is building a safe county where all people thrive, are celebrated for their diverse identities, and know they belong. Follow Clackamas County: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Nextdoor | Instagram
ABOUT HACIENDA CDC: Hacienda CDC is a trusted community-building corporation supporting diverse and historically underserved communities throughout urban and rural Oregon. Hacienda strengthens low-income adults, families and youth, with an emphasis on immigrants and communities of color, through our affordable housing and culturally adept programs and services. Learn more at haciendacdc.org.
ABOUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS: Founded in 2011, Community Development Partners develops and operates sustainable, life-enhancing affordable housing with a focus on long term community engagement and innovative design. As a mission-driven, forward-thinking organization, CDP is focused exclusively on creating vibrant affordable housing communities that incorporate art, public parks, gardens, fresh food, and cultural and social programming. Today, CDP has successfully built, preserved, or is actively developing over 55 unique projects comprising over 5,100+ units throughout Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. Learn more at communitydevpartners.com.
