Sign Our Petition: Help Preserve 100 Units of Senior Affordable Housing in Northeast Portland
- jenniferannpark
- Apr 23, 2024
- 2 min read
The historic property of Rosemont Court in Northeast Portland's Piedmont neighborhood has been home to 100 units of senior affordable housing for 20 years.
Portland's District 2, including inner NE Portland, has some of the worst history of systemic displacement of low-income neighbors in our city, disproportionately affecting communities of color.
Currently, the property owner, the non-profit Northwest Housing Alternatives, is preparing to sell the property, and have submitted a pending request to the City of Portland to lift the affordable housing covenant on the property to improve its salability.
This decision would further exacerbate the housing crisis we face, and displace more seniors who have already been marginalized by previous policies.
The loss of affordable housing is not just an economic issue, or a housing issue; it's a human rights issue that directly impacts our most vulnerable citizens.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Oregon ranks among the top states with the largest shortage of affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters. In fact, for every 100 extremely low income households needing affordable rental homes in Oregon, only 26 units are available (NLIHC).
We cannot build our way out of our housing crisis while losing affordable properties at the same time. You can't fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom.
We must stand up for those who are most at risk and ensure they have access to safe and affordable housing.
Today we created a Change.org petition to send a clear message to all of our local governmental jurisdictions that we value all members of our community and believe everyone deserves access to safe and stable housing.
Please sign our petition and join our movement -- taking a stand against systemic displacement and advocating for the preservation of senior affordable housing units in Northeast Portland.
TIMELINE
History
The 8 acre mixed affordable housing community that is Rosemont Commons is an exemplary model for development that we should be emulating, not forgetting.
In 2021, after a city pipe was severed and water service was turned off to the neighborhood, an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease endangered the residents, taking the life of one. Other cases were discovered in the neighborhood, but in when the County refused to complete a health study no link was ever made.
After paying to relocate all of the residents, Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA) installed water treatment equipment in the building. But upon the return of some of the residence another case was discovered.
Again, the County did nothing to investigate the cause.
To this day, NHA's water tests at Rosemont Court have all comeback clean and healthy.
Current
In order to bring the building back online NHA needs to secure the commitment of private investment -- a debilitating symptom of our broken system of funding affordable development.
However, profit focused private interest refuse to invest unless the building has a complete overhaul of its plumbing system. This would cost the organization approximately 6-7 million dollars.
While the City of Portland offered 2.3 million toward the work, NHA has not been able to secure the remaining funds necessary from any other jurisdiction, being denied in two separate cycles of applications with the state.
My Actions To Date
Attended the March Piedmont Neighborhood Association meeting to hear from Trell Anderson, Executive Director of Northwest Housing Alternatives, about the state of Rosemont Court.
At this meeting he announced to the community the intention of NHA to prepare the property to sell.
Convened a meeting with Representative Maxine Dexter, Chair of the Oregon House Committee on Housing and Homelessness. Rep. Dexter brought a collection of state actors to brainstorm preservation approaches.
Reached out to Metro Council President Lynn Peterson and Metro Councilor Mary Nolan.
Received a response from President Peterson's Policy Advisor stating: "Because of the immense need, Metro has worked hard to get funding out into the community, so those dollars can become homes. Because we really do need to build our way out of our current housing crisis. And while we are only 6 years in to the 10-year bond, Metro has fully allocated the bond funding to implementing jurisdictions."
Reached out to Portland Housing Bureau regarding the status of the affordable housing covenant.
Received a replying noting: "PHB is still working with NHA, Proud Ground as land owner, and Oregon Housing & Community Services to find a solution that maintains affordable housing at Rosemont Court."
MEDIA COVERAGE
Rosemont Court residents wonder, ‘What is our fate?,’ Elise Haas, KOIN6, April 22, 2024
Rosemont Court and the housing crisis, Steve Duin, Oregonia, January 13, 2024
Seniors displaced from North Portland apartments forced to move again, KGW News, October 13, 2023
