REACH Opens The Mary Ann In Beaverton: A Collaborative Approach To Inclusive Housing Opportunities In Vibrant Old Town Beaverton (Photo) -10/07/21
Beaverton, Ore. –October 08, 2021 —REACH Community Development has completed construction on The Mary Ann and leasing is underway for 54 new affordable apartments in Beaverton. A media day is scheduled for Monday, November 1st from 9:00 am – 12:00pm at 4601 SW Main Ave. Beaverton.
This is REACH’s first project in the City of Beaverton and the first project to begin construction with funding through the Metro regional affordable housing bond.
“We are so excited to see new affordable housing being built all over our region, including in downtown Beaverton,” said Metro Councilor Gerritt Rosenthal. “The Mary Ann is one of the first projects in the regional affordable housing bond program. These new homes provide safety and stability for people in need, particularly those coming out of homelessness. We are glad residents will have access to culturally specific services and other amenities to help them thrive.”
With over half of the apartments containing two or more bedrooms, The Mary Ann will be home to very low-income families with children with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 20% of the homes set aside for households at or below 30% AMI. Onsite programs and services for residents, as well as outreach during lease-up, are provided through a partnership with Bienestar. As part of their work, Bienestar provides culturally specific, bilingual services to the Latinx and low-income communities of Washington County.
“This is a great example of how two strong community development organizations can collaborate in a meaningful way to center the community and residents it serves,” said Bienestar executive director Nathan Teske. “Creating equitable opportunities for larger families to live in the opportunity-rich, Old Town neighborhood in Beaverton has been a key priority in this partnership.”
“The Mary Ann is more than just a building; it’s making sure Beaverton continues to be a place of inclusion where people of different income levels and backgrounds are leaders in their community,” said REACH CEO Dan Valliere. “REACH is honored to be a steward of this important community asset.”
In addition to the new homes, The Mary Ann features 39 parking spaces, bike racks in the garage and wall hung bike racks in the apartments, laundry facilities, and a community room that opens to a large courtyard. Residents will also benefit from the close proximity to transit options like the MAX light rail and WES community rail, multiple shopping opportunities, grocery stores, Beaverton City Library, post office, restaurants, services, parks, and across the street from Beaverton High School.
The City of Beaverton is dedicated to increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing in city neighborhoods to ensure home stability for all community members as there is growing demand for housing at all income levels. The city’s Housing Five Year Action Plan outlines goals and actions to lessen the burden of rising rents, increase affordable housing, support low-income residents and reduce homelessness.
"I'm so pleased that we have another affordable housing project completed," said Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. "We know that our housing crisis isn't going away, and it's important that we continue to collaborate with partners to create more affordable housing in our community. I'm grateful to our all-star staff and partners who are growing our city in equitable ways, with intentionality and complex decision-making, while always keeping our community vision top-of-mind."
The $22.6 million project is financed with funding from the City of Beaverton’s allocation of the Metro affordable housing bond, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Business Oregon, Washington County, City of Beaverton grant funds, the Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency, and Energy Trust of Oregon. Permanent financing will be provided by the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH). Wells Fargo Bank made a nearly $12M Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity investment in the project and is also the construction lender. The Community Housing Fund provided acquisition financing.
The building is owned and managed by REACH, with services provided by Bienestar. The Mary Ann is designed by Scott Edwards Architecture with construction by Walsh Construction, and construction management by The Klosh Group. The building is named in honor of Mary Ann Spencer Watts, the City of Beaverton’s first schoolteacher. She taught in a log cabin in 1852 on a site where Beaverton High School is now located, just one block from the property.
About REACH CDC
Since 1982, REACH has built innovative and affordable housing for low-income families and individuals in the metropolitan region. REACH develops and manages affordable housing and provides supportive services to our residents, as well as free home repairs to senior homeowners. Today, REACH’s portfolio includes over 2,700 units, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, and mixed-use developments located across the Portland Metro Region and SW Washington. More information available at http://reachcdc.org.
About Bienestar
Bienestar is a Community Development Corporation and 501c3 non-profit organization based in Washington County with a focus on providing culturally specific, bilingual services for Latinx, farmworker, immigrant, and other households in its affordable housing properties in Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and unincorporated Washington County, as well as one property in Columbia County. Bienestar currently houses 509 families (approximately 2,000 residents) within its 12 affordable properties. Furthermore, it provides bilingual wrap-around resident services to those same families as well as an additional 110 households served through a joint agreement with the Housing Authority of Washington County at Willow Creek Crossing Apartments in Hillsboro. More information available at http://www.bienestar-or.org.
About Metro
Serving nearly 1.7 million people in greater Portland, Metro is focused on improving housing affordability in the region. Voters approved Metro’s 2018 bond measure to build 3,900 units of affordable housing around the region, and more than 2,100 of those units are under construction or in design and permitting. In addition to its housing affordability work, Metro manages the region’s performing arts and convention venues, the Oregon Zoo, more than 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, long-term growth plans and the region’s garbage and recycling system.
About Beaverton
The city of Beaverton is an active, friendly and responsive community home to more than 99,000 residents and is Oregon’s sixth largest city. We are known for our exceptional community services and vibrant amenities, helping Beaverton residents enjoy a high quality of life. Ranked nationally as a best place to live and raise a family, Beaverton truly is “The Best of Oregon.” To learn more, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov.
