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239-unit affordable housing complex debuts in St. Helens

By: Hilary Dorsey//July 19, 2024//

Townhomes are some of the 239 affordable housing units at Broadleaf Arbor in St. Helens. (courtesy of Community Development Partners)

239-unit affordable housing complex debuts in St. Helens

Hilary Dorsey//July 19, 2024//

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St. Helens on Tuesday drew city, county and state officials for the grand opening of a 239-unit affordable housing complex.

Broadleaf Arbor has townhomes, one-bedroom units, two-bedroom units and three-bedroom units for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, a press release states.

The project’s co-developers and co-owners are Community Development Partners (CDP) and the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA).

The complex, at 2250 Gable Road, was designed by MWA Architects and built by LMC Construction. The project team also included civil engineer Lower Columbia Engineering, structural engineer KPFF, and landscape architect DELA Studio. Urban Resources Inc. provided construction management. Portland State University’s Center for Public Interest Design provided pre-development community engagement and asset-based community development mapping. Guardian Management is the property manager. EngAGE Northwest provides resident services.

Broadleaf Arbor consists of 11 buildings, including one with an elevator to serve seniors. The residential buildings are strategically clustered around green spaces and an adjoining wetland area. The campus also features community gardens, a children’s play area and a central community building.

This is Oregon’s first fully realized example of CDP’s Community for All Ages — a housing model that combines inclusive and trauma-informed design principles, affordable family and senior housing, substantial community space, intergenerational programming and a cohort of experienced service partners, according to the press release. Programs and activities are planned and facilitated by a full-time, on-site program director. Free offerings include exercise classes, creative arts workshops, book clubs, and computer and technology courses.

Site circulation and programming are intended to foster intergenerational connections, according to Wendy Klein, senior development manager for Community Development Partners. A breezeway was incorporated into the design to serve as a connection through the site. Within and around the building for seniors are several shared amenities, including an outdoor bocce ball court, an area for other yard games, and library space.

In the building for seniors, 10 percent of the units are ADA-accessible, and 7 percent of the units can accommodate residents with sight and/or hearing impairments. Also, in that building each floor will have a common area.

The total project cost was approximately $90.5 million. Funding included a 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation with equity investment from R4 Capital, a $13 million award from the Oregon Housing and Community Services’ Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) program, and a Section 8 contract for 75 project-based vouchers administered through NOHA. Also, Columbia River PUD contributed to the project. Construction financing and permanent financing was provided by Citi.

(courtesy of Community Development Partners)
(courtesy of Community Development Partners)
(courtesy of Community Development Partners)
(courtesy of Community Development Partners)
From left, Laura Spidell, EngAGE Northwest executive director; Margaret Magruder, NOHA and Columbia County commissioner; Bryan Guiney, Housing and Urban Development’s Oregon field office director; Eric Paine, Community Development Partners CEO; and Nina Reed, Northwest Oregon Housing Authority commissioner, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Broadleaf Arbor in St. Helens. (courtesy of Community Development Partners)


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