County and Housing Authority of Clackamas County officials held a grand opening celebration last week for the new Tukwila Springs affordable housing redevelopment in Gladstone.
Tukwila Springs is the first Clackamas County development that utilizes Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds, which accounted for $5.6 million, or around 30% of the project costs.
It’s also the first in the county that uses state Permanent Supportive Housing funding, to the tune of $2.4 million. The project’s total cost was $19.4 million.
Residents of the facility’s 48 units will have access to Supportive Housing Services on site, including case management, help accessing behavioral/physical health care services, education and employment assistance, and access to healthy foods.
Speakers at the event included those from Clackamas County, the city of Gladstone, Metro, and Oregon Housing and Community Services.
“One of Clackamas County’s goals is to develop 1,500 affordable housing units by 2025,” Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith said.
“The opening of Tukwila Springs helps us to reach that very goal. In fact, Clackamas County currently has more than 950 units either complete, in development, or committed to this goal. Plus, several hundred more units are very close to entering the pipeline. Our goal will be met.”
This project is one big piece of the county’s strategy for reaching its goal of developing 1,500 affordable housing units by 2025.
With the addition of Tukwila Springs, Clackamas County has more than 950 units either complete, in development, or committed to achieving this goal, with more viable sites expected to be committed soon.
Target residents for the development are older adults (at least 50 years old) who make less than 30% of the area median income and need supportive services. Priority will be given to seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, people experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities, and Gladstone residents.
Twelve units will be prioritized for residents requesting culturally specific supportive housing services for Native Americans who are referred by NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Association).
“Tukwila Springs was intentionally designed to provide supportive services on site,” added Commissioner Sonya Fischer.
“Whether it’s behavioral health, employment assistance, help navigating complex systems to deal with substance use, or other health related needs. We know that housing plus services keeps people sheltered. Access to services is a critical piece of success.”
Tukwila Springs was acquired by HACC in 2019, having closed under private ownership two years earlier. The 2.2-acre site was originally a congregate care facility constructed in 1967.
