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Construction is ahead of schedule on an affordable housing project in Northeast Portland that, when completed, will provide space for residents and community members to learn hands-on building skills and introduce diverse youth to potential careers in the trades.

Innovative Housing, Inc. is developing Magnolia 2, a 50-unit building at 415 NE Fargo St. that will include a 1,000-square-foot maker space. The maker space will allow residents and community members to work on building projects, participate in classes and workshops, and take classes conducted by the pre-apprenticeship program Constructing Hope.

Sarah Stevenson, IHI鈥檚 executive director, said the building is being leased through the city鈥檚 N/NE Preference Policy. The city accepted applications from Sept. 3-16 and will forward them in preference priority order to IHI in early November to begin its lease-up process.聽Stevenson said IHI hopes Magnolia 2 will be fully occupied by the spring.

She noted that since IHI鈥檚 board formally adopted an Equity Plan in December 2012, IHI has measured its equity achievements against specific goals and outcomes for diversity in who it houses, who works on its projects and who it recruits for its board and staff.

鈥淚HI鈥檚 Equity Plan mandates action items to ensure inclusion, proactive outreach and cultural competency in everything we do, including housing development, resident services and property operations,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淚HI鈥檚 Equity Plan is a living document that we continue to work on and improve.鈥�

She added that IHI has consistently exceeded 30 percent MWESB utilization rates on the majority of its affordable housing projects.
鈥淲hen it comes to creating economic opportunities through development, IHI succeeds because we set ambitious equity goals and then work closely with our development team to meet those commitments.鈥�

At Magnolia Phase 2, IHI secured 100 percent MEP participation and expects to achieve 31 percent overall COBID subcontractor participation. Magnolia 2 is the second phase of what will become a 100-unit apartment building. The $16 million project will feature 17 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units. LRS Architects designed the building and it is being built by Bremik Construction.