Final piece to Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue now in place with addition of new affordable housing complex
Story by James Hill. Photos by Ric Getter.
OC42’s new affordable housing is called ‘chaku kumtuks haws.’
Portland Community College’s nearly 10-year vision for its new Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue is now complete.
The college, along with Home Forward, the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Metro and other partners, celebrated the grand opening of the newly named “chaku kumtuks haws” (learning house). The 84-unit affordable housing community in the Cully-Concordia neighborhood is co-located with PCC’s Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue with on-site early learning provided by NAYA.
“This project exemplifies our commitment to holistic community development and offers families the chance to pursue career, workforce training and educational opportunities while accessing affordable housing, health care and high-quality early learning in one convenient location,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings.
It’s just the latest development for the college’s OC42 site. In 2022, the college and partners broke ground of the 50,000-square-foot PCC facility, which received funding from the 2017 voter-approved PCC bond measure. It combines classrooms, meeting rooms, open workspace as well as a community room and common areas – all housed in a cutting-edge mass timber and mass plywood community-based facility. The redevelopment of the old Portland Metro Workforce Training Center allowed PCC to partner with Home Forward to offer affordable housing on college property and with NAYA to offer childcare and learning opportunities.
PCC’s new Opportunity Center officially opened in October of 2023 and has been a hub of workforce development and career and health services since.
The housing complex features 84 apartments, from studios to three-bedroom units.
Developed and owned by Home Forward, the new community housing facility next to OC42 offers 18 studios, 6 one-bedrooms, 45 two-bedrooms and 15 three-bedroom units. It also includes three classrooms, designed and operated by NAYA, offering high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities to 36 children. Rents are below market-rate for families with household incomes between 30% and 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Twenty-eight apartments are reserved for households earning 30% AMI or less, with priority referral access for Native community members through NAYA.
NAYA led the naming for chaku kumtuks haws and the early learning center, chaku kumtuks illahee (“place of learning”). The early learning center operations are being supported by Multnomah County’s Preschool for All, the Oregon Child Development Coalition, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care and other local investors.
“We can’t wait to welcome families and little ones to this special place for learning and growth,” said Oscar Arana, Chichimeca, CEO of the Native American Youth and Family Center. “Thanks to our partnership with Home Forward and PCC, we’ll be able to provide safe, affordable housing and culturally specific early childhood education located next door to health care, post-secondary education and workforce opportunities.”
Ivory Matthews, CEO of Home Forward, with Dr. Bennings, Oscar Arana of NAYA and State Rep. Tawna Sanchez.
Residents will have access to the PCC Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue, which includes workforce development services, as well as an on-site Multnomah County Health Department health clinic, an Oregon Department of Human Services office, skill-building workshops, youth leadership programs, and eviction prevention resources.
Amenities include a large community room and kitchenette; free Wi-Fi access and a computer lab for residents; conveniently located, coin-operated laundry facilities; food vending with nutritious options; a secure “playscape” areas for kids; bike storage; and three early childhood education classrooms provided by NAYA.
“The City of Portland is proud to invest in innovative, collaborative developments like this new community, which combines early education, workforce development and affordable housing,” said Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, who is a PCC alum. “The co-located preschool and PCC Opportunity Center will empower families economically and set them on a path to thrive.”
The $52 million project was made possible through the collaboration of multiple public, private and community partners. Community members interested in living at chaku kumtuks haws should reach out to Pinehurst Management at Killingsworth@pinehurstmanagement.com.
