Portland, Ore. – Habitat for Humanity is transforming the site of a former North Portland homeless encampment and Safe Rest Village into a neighborhood of of permanent affordable housing.
Crews started clearing trees this week at the former Peninsula Crossing SRV. It’ll become the True North community. “It’ll be 50 homes, which is one of the biggest projects- really the biggest project we’ve ever done,” says Habitat for Humanity Portland Region President Steve Messinetti, “We have one other 52-home project that we also launched recently.”
It’ll be months before they can pour foundations for the the two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes. A new road must be built and a decommissioned oil tank has to come out. “We’re really excited about the project, the neighborhood,” Messinetti tells KXL News, “It’s obviously where a lot of folks would love to be living but it’s gotten really expensive.”
While some neighbors are sad to see large trees come down, they also appear happy the property is getting new life. Messinetti says new trees and greenspace are coming with the development.
True North is part of the city’s Preference Policy for North and Northeast Portland. “Specifically targeting families that have been displaced from the historically African-American communities, with the opportunity to either stay or return to that community.” Messinetti says, “Folks will apply through the city, initially, and they get points based on their history of living in this community.” And, he adds, the properties are deed restricted, so they remain affordable into the future…