From Home Forward's press release:
U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-Portland), Home Forward, Urban League of Portland and other project partners celebrated the grand opening of The Fairfield Apartments, a 75-unit permanent supportive housing (PSH) community in downtown Portland. The building, originally constructed in 1911, is a preservation project of Home Forward. Like the old building, the newly renovated property will continue to offer deeply affordable rents. Urban League of Portland will provide culturally specific services to individuals exiting chronic homelessness, with priority given to people in the Black/African American community.
"This project is a testament to the power of community partnerships in addressing homelessness," said Ivory Mathews, CEO of Home Forward. "The Fairfield not only preserves much-needed affordable housing in downtown Portland, but it also ensures that residents will have the appropriate support and services they need to thrive."
The renovation of the building, located in the historically significant LGBTQIA+ district, was made possible, in part, by a $2 million Congressional Direct Spending award secured by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rep. Bonamici.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, who helped secure funding for the project, attended the celebration, saying, "The federal investment in The Fairfield will help address the severe housing needs of our community. We can better support residents in overcoming barriers and achieving long-term stability by providing culturally specific services. In Congress, I will continue to champion housing projects like the Fairfield.”
Fairfield Apartments features 66 single-room occupancies (SROs) and 9 studio apartments, all referred through Multnomah County’s Coordinated Entry system. The building provides on-site property management, security, and 24-hour client-centered supportive services. This ensures residents receive the support they need to remain stably housed. Residents will pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent, with rental assistance provided by HUD.
"As we continue to address homelessness issues, The Fairfield Apartments stands as a beacon of what’s possible when we invest in solutions that provide not just housing, but services that recognize the unique identities, needs and cultures of residents," said Urban League of Portland President and CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson. "We are proud to be trusted by the public to manage these life-saving programs.”
The project also received substantial support from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), the City of Portland, U.S. Bank and Key Bank. Construction and design was led by Walsh Construction and Peter Meijer Architect.
"Fairfield Apartments is more than just a place to live – it’s a vital resource for individuals who have faced immense challenges," said JOHS Director Dan Field "Partnerships like this are what has allowed us to house some 5,500 individuals who were previously homeless."
The City of Portland acquired The Fairfield in 2010 and transferred ownership to Home Forward in 2023 to keep the apartments affordable and complete seismic upgrades and other rehabilitation.
Helmi A. Hisserich, Director of the Portland Housing Bureau, Kanoelehua Egleston, Director of programs at JOHS, and Chelsea Bunch, Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OHCS, also spoke at the event to a crowded room of more than 100 people.
Residents will benefit from proximity to public transit, grocery stores, and other neighborhood amenities.
The ground floor of the building will feature community spaces and three commercial spaces owned and operated by Prosper Portland. The project also preserves affordable housing through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion, ensuring long-term affordability.