Housing Opens
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek joined in celebrating the development of the 20-unit Portsmouth Common apartment complex. (Oregon-Idaho Conference Photo)
Oregon-Idaho Conference | Oct. 19, 2023
After years of dreaming and planning, Portsmouth Common apartment complex is open for business on the property of Portsmouth Union Church in north Portland.
During an open house for the affordable housing complex on Wednesday, Oct. 18, church members were joined by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in celebrating this development of this 20-unit apartment complex designed to target veterans with much-needed affordable housing.
Kotek, who used to represent the Kenton neighborhood (where Portsmouth Union is located) in the Oregon Legislature, said she was proud to see this project finally come together and knows that this community worked hard to get to this point. Addressing the state's affordable housing crisis is one of her top priorities, she has previously stated.
On hand to honor this moment were Revs. Julia Nielsen, Andy Goeble, and Courtney McHill, alongside Disciples of Christ pastors Shari Eggleston and current pastor, Ari Douglas.
The congregation was described as persistent and patient in this process, but Nielsen added that they were "faithful" people as well. Because it was the church members who saw the need to do more than provide food to the homeless in their neighborhood. They saw an opportunity to do more than provide a warming shelter on cold days. They saw more opportunities and in 2018, began the true work of bringing the Portsmouth Commons apartment complex to life.
The property is being managed by Good Space, a property development company. Additionally, Do Good Multnomah is setting up an office in the apartment complex to provide wrap-around services to the tenants and their families. There are already four units rented out.
Portsmouth Union got started on this project by demolishing part of its building in 2018, acquiring a $2.25 million grant from Oregon Home and Community Services, then breaking ground in early 2021. The church partnered with Home First, a development company that specializes in affordable housing, to design and create the apartment complex.
The congregation has a history of serving the unhoused and food-insecure in their Portland neighborhood. More than a decade ago, at a planning retreat, church members started dreaming of what they could do with an unused parcel of their land.
“People have stepped up and helped all over the place,” said long-time church member Betty Cruson. “It’s really a miracle to see this come together.”
Kristen Caldwell
Kristen Caldwell, communications associate, Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.
Kristen Caldwell
Kristen Caldwell, communications associate, Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.
Kristen Caldwell serves as communications director for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. This article is republished with permission from the conference website.