Largest Habitat for Humanity project planned for Southwest Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. ( PORTLAND TRIBUNE ) — Work is starting on Habitat for Humanity’s largest affordable housing community in Portland, which will be built in the Hillsdale neighborhood. Gooseberry Trails will include 52 homes built on 5 acres purchased at a steep discount from the Greater Portland Bible Church in Southwest Portland.

When completed, the project will house over 185 people. It will be built on the church’s lower parking lot and some adjacent land, and will include a play area and retain most of a natural area that buffers the property from a nearby busy street.

“Projects like this are vital because incomes aren’t keeping up with rents,” said Steve Messinetti, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, a nonprofit organization which offers affordable homeownership opportunities to qualifying lower-income households.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled at the property on Wednesday, July 17. Expected to appear are Oregon U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio, Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang and Oregon Housing and Community Services Homeownership Director Keeble Giscombe.

The project is currently estimated at $23 million, including the removal of the lower parking lot, infrastructure upgrades, a new street, sidewalks and a bike path, and the construction of multiple residential buildings ranging from ADA-compliant single-level houses to two- and three-story multi-family condominiums.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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