Yesterday in Cedar Mill, seniors celebrated the ribbon-cutting of The Opal Apartments, a fresh living option for those aged 55 and over. Inclusion and affordability mark this latest addition to the local real estate market as it offers 54 housing units, with a focus on those with incomes at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). These residents are provided for with 24 project-based vouchers, ensuring some of the community's most economically challenged seniors have a place to call home, according to a release from Washington County's official website.

Public officials and partnering organizations were on hand to witness the launch of a project that's been described as both innovative and necessary. Half of The Opal's units are earmarked for those with very low incomes, up to 60% of AMI, making the endeavor a two-pronged attack on the affordable housing crisis facing the aging population. Spearheaded by Home First Development Partners along with Christ United Methodist Church, the project garnered support through financial backing by multiple concerned parties, including Washington County, with funds from the voter-sanctioned Metro Affordable Housing Bond, and other notable contributors such as Oregon Housing and Community Services, and Red Stone Equity Partners, as per the Washington County Oregon.

Metro Council President Lynn Peterson also commented on the societal impact of The Opal, mentioning the project's strategic response to seniors who are getting priced out due to soaring rents. According to Peterson, The Opal doesn't just offer a roof but an inclusive space where seniors "will not just live, but truly have the opportunity to thrive," as she told Washington County's official website. Residents will have access to common areas, social and wellness services, and essential amenities like nearby shopping and public transit, all critical for the well-being and integration of the over-55 community into the fabric of Cedar Mill life.