Small Homes Northwest Initiative Provides New Hope for Gresham Family
Hacienda CDC’s latest Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), built in partnership with Community Vision, will offer Christin a supportive, on-site, affordable housing solution for her adult sons with disabilities.
Hacienda’s Small Homes Northwest initiative aims to identify new housing solutions to our state’s affordable housing crisis by building and demonstrating the use of ADU’s as affordable housing and offer a unique housing model in dense residential urban areas. Recognizing the urgent need for such housing options, Hacienda CDC embarked on this project and has once again partnered with Community Vision to make a positive difference in the lives of families like Christin and her sons, KeLani and KeJon in Gresham, Oregon.
Christin and her family experienced numerous challenges due to the lack of stable and affordable housing options for adults with differing abilities. Christin, who became a homeowner by purchasing a land trust home with Proud Ground, looked for supportive housing for her oldest son, but only found long waitlists and high costs that her family could not afford. The chance to have an ADU in her backyard offers her sons the opportunity to achieve independence. Her oldest son will move in first, and when her younger son is ready, the second bedroom will be his. Once they are ready to move out on their own, Christin will be able to rent her home to a future low-income tenant, providing a modest stream of income.
The benefits of an accessory dwelling unit are particularly advantageous for individuals needing to stay close to home. Joe WykowskI, Community Vision’s Strategic Housing Outreach Consultant explains, “ADU’s provide an anchor to neighborhoods and the opportunity to live a more self-determined life for individuals experiencing disabilities.” And though still in the final stages of construction, Christin and her family are already hopeful for the future.
“There is no way I could have done this alone,” says Christin, “my family is so grateful for this new space. My boys can now have the independence they crave while also being close to the support they need. This level of independence would never have been possible without this project.”
Christin finalizes her ownership of her family’s new ADU
Hacienda brought multiple partners together to make Christin’s ADU possible including Community Vision, Hampton Lumber, the Kuni Foundation, and Meyer Memorial Trust. The partnership leveraged additional funding and in-kind donations which paired with Christin’s investment to build the ADU. Designed by Mitch Snyder and built by Roost LLC, the ADU will belong to Christin with the requirement that the home be affordable to tenants earning 60% AMI and below for a minimum of 10 years.
By partnering with Community Vision, Hacienda’s Small Homes Northwest initiative provides housing solutions that allow adults with disabilities and their families a new option.
The construction of the ADU was possible thanks to a generous lumber and financial donation from Portland-Based Hampton Lumber, who were inspired to be part of this solution and contacted Hacienda after learning about Small Homes Northwest last year.
“The affordable housing crisis is affecting urban and rural areas throughout the state,” said Kristin Rasmussen of Hampton Lumber. “We’re proud to be able to grow, harvest, and manufacture sustainable building materials right here in Oregon and to be part of this innovative effort to create more affordable housing opportunities in our communities.”
Community Vision, Hacienda CDC, and Hampton Lumber join Christin and her son in celebrating this milestone
The new ADU, which will be complete this summer, will provide both of Christin’s sons a private and safe living space, fostering a sense of independence while still being connected to family and their support network.
For this family of three, the Small Homes Northwest initiative has been truly life-changing. With a stable living situation, the mother can rest at ease knowing her sons have a safe, nurturing environment that they can call their own.
The success of the Small Homes Northwest initiative in Gresham serves as a beacon of hope for other families facing housing challenges. The program's model highlights the potential of community-driven initiatives in addressing the housing crisis, emphasizing the importance of unique housing options.
“Every ADU we develop with Small Homes Northwest tells a different chapter of our work to combat the housing crisis in Oregon. We wish Christin and her family great joy with their new casita and appreciate the opportunity to pair innovation and partnership to make it possible,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC.
This family in Gresham has found a place to call home, enabling them with the new possibility of living independently with dignity and stability. Together, we celebrate their inspiring journey, and are reminded of the profound impact that thoughtful initiatives can have on transforming lives and building a brighter future for all!