{"id":1360,"date":"2022-11-14T20:10:08","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T20:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.communitydevpartners.com\/?p=1360"},"modified":"2023-10-03T20:39:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T20:39:48","slug":"sei-and-cdp-break-ground-on-innovative-community-for-displaced-and-longtime-residents-of-n-ne-portland-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.communitydevpartners.com\/sei-and-cdp-break-ground-on-innovative-community-for-displaced-and-longtime-residents-of-n-ne-portland-2\/","title":{"rendered":"SEI and CDP break ground on innovative community for displaced and longtime residents of N\/NE Portland"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PORTLAND, Ore., November 14, 2022: <\/strong>Co-developed by Self-Enhancement, Inc.<\/a> (SEI) and Community Development Partners<\/a> (CDP), 5020 N. Interstate<\/a>, a 63-unit apartment community taking shape in Portland\u2019s Overlook neighborhood, will be much more than new apartments when it opens in late 2023. The new community is part of SEI\u2019s recent expansion into affordable housing; offers an innovative model combining high-quality rental housing with on-site services; and is part of a larger effort by partners SEI and CDP to renew a visible, thriving Black presence in North and Northeast Portland.<\/p>\n

A groundbreaking ceremony emceed by longtime SEI supporter and Emmy Award-winning multimedia personality Tra\u2019Renee Chambers was held at the site of the new community at 2 p.m today. Co-developers Tony Hopson, Sr., president and CEO of SEI and Eric Paine, CEO of CDP were joined by Commissioner Dan Ryan, City of Portland; Councilor Mary Nolan, District 5, Metro; Molly Rogers, interim director, Portland Housing Bureau;\u00a0 Dr. Steven Holt, Oversight Committee chair, Portland Housing Bureau; and Andrea Bell, executive director, Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS).<\/p>\n

As one of Portland\u2019s leading multi-service organizations long focused on helping Black youth and families realize their full potential,\u00a0 SEI is expanding into a new role as an affordable housing developer. The organization is joining forces with CDP,\u00a0 a mission-driven affordable housing developer, to co-develop and co-own 5020 N. Interstate.<\/p>\n

In his comments at the event, Tony Hopson, Sr., president and CEO of SEI shared, \u201cI grew up in this area. I went to Beach Elementary and my mother still owns the house at Humboldt and Mississippi. I remember when I-5 went in and I could no longer walk down Humboldt to get to school. So when I think about what used to be here and the people who used to be here \u2013 who are no longer here; to have the opportunity to be a part of partnerships like the one we have with CDP that are helping to provide low-income housing for some of those folks so they can have a pathway back; it is just really, really important and meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

With new and affordable rental housing for households earning 60% or less of the area median income, 5020 N. Interstate will help fill Portland\u2019s critical need for housing \u2014\u00a0most acute among low-income residents. But SEI and CDP have bigger aspirations: Through an innovative blend of design and on-site services, 5020 N. Interstate aims to support Black families, strengthen community connections and expand economic opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe greatly admire the work that SEI does here in the community, and we\u2019re grateful to them for taking a leap of faith to partner with us as co-owner and co-developer, enabling the vision of what we hoped to bring to this community,\u201d said Eric Paine, CEO of CDP. \u201cSEI\u2019s connection to this community is distinct and it’s deep. The work that we\u2019re doing together is only extending their reach.\u201d<\/p>\n

5020 N. Interstate is a key part of a larger collaboration between SEI and CDP that will be taking shape over the next couple of years. Called \u201cAlberta Alive,\u201d the initiative encompasses 5020 N. Interstate and two additional SEI-CDP projects on Alberta \u2014 506 NE Alberta and 4957 NE 8th Avenue, both set to open by mid-2023 \u2014\u00a0as well as Alberta Abbey, an existing nonprofit arts center that will serve as an extension of the three housing communities and a space for residents to gather for events. The mission of Alberta Alive is to celebrate and strengthen Portland\u2019s historic Black North\/Northeast neighborhoods with affordable housing, supportive services and a shared community for underserved individuals and families.<\/p>\n

5020 N. Interstate will support Black families and the community in various ways:<\/p>\n