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A women-led development team has completed the first cottage cluster in Clackamas County, delivering 15 for-sale homes priced around $250,000 each for households earning up to 80 percent of area median income.

Shortstack Milwaukie, a 14,400-square-foot development at 3736 S.E. Harvey St., was built by Shortstack Housing in partnership with Proud Ground, the local community land trust. The project completed construction in September 2025.

Each two-story home measures 960 square feet. Through the community land trust model, long-term affordability is preserved for future buyers, protecting public investment and maintaining economic diversity within the neighborhood.

鈥淲hatever happened to starter homes? That question drove this project,鈥� noted Shortstack Housing representatives in the Top Projects submission form. 鈥淣ew state and local zoning regulations paved the way for increased density and new opportunities for attainable housing. We鈥檙e proud to be one of Milwaukie鈥檚 first permitted/built cottage clusters. When teams align around increasing housing production, we can bring back what鈥檚 been missing: start-er homes in which people can actually afford to start owning.鈥�

One of the project鈥檚 notable technical achievements is the inclusion of a cross-laminated timber home, which served as a basis-of-design prototype for future single-family CLT development. The use of mass timber in an attainable, entry-level ownership context demonstrates the material鈥檚 viability beyond larger commercial applications. Kalesnikoff Mass Timber supplied the CLT, with Blas Buildpro handling installation.

Interior finishes were selected for durability and lower long-term costs, including luxury vinyl plank flooring, solid-surface countertops and energy-efficient appliances.

On the jobsite, the repetition of the unit design across all 15 homes allowed trade partners to sequence their work from the rear of the site toward the front, minimizing crew conflicts and keeping work areas organized throughout construction.

The project required layered public financing from multiple agencies, including Oregon Housing & Community Services, the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, Metro, the City of Milwaukie and Craft3. Managing compliance across those funding sources required disciplined project management and transparent communication among all partners.

OHCS Lift funding required a 30 percent participation goal for minority-, women- and emerging small businesses. The project exceeded that benchmark, achieving 42.5 percent MWESB involvement 鈥� a result the development team attributed to intentional outreach and accountability throughout procurement and construction.

The site is located within walking distance of MAX Light Rail, TriMet bus routes, Water Tower Park and daily amenities, with downtown Milwaukie less than a mile away.

WORKS Architecture served as architect. Owen Gabbert LLC was the general contractor.