In a bold move to tackle the affordable housing crisis, Clackamas County officials have green-lit the transformation of Hillside Park, Milwaukie. A total of 500 new dwellings will replace the long-standing 100 war-era homes, a project aimed at providing modern and cost-effective housing options for residents. According to a statement obtained by the Clackamas County news release, the redevelopment is slated to surpass regional targets with over 2,000 new homes, dwarfing the original goal of 1,500 by 2025.

Commissioners voiced concerns over the dilapidated state of the old Hillside Park structures, noting health and safety risks attributable to issues like poor insulation and structural defects. Not just a win for locals, the project promises regional benefits, Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas told the Clackamas County news release, about the extra homes. The commencement of the construction phase is expected in the summer of 2024, with a projected completion two years later.

The revamped community is set to feature various amenities, including a playground, gardens, onsite property management, community rooms, and thoughtful touches like bike rooms and laundry facilities on each floor. To ease the transition for Hillside Park's current residents, the county has dedicated the past year to finding new homes, offering financial assistance for moving expenses and educating on tenant rights and pathways to homeownership.

Housing Authority Board member and former public housing resident Ann Leenstra touched on the transformation from personal experience. Moving to a better home in 2022, friends still at Hillside Park visited her, she saw the dire conditions first-hand, she told the Clackamas County news release. Now, she hopes her friends can enjoy the same quality of living, underscoring the extensive progress in the county's housing initiatives.