Portsmouth has hit a new milestone in its effort to address the housing crisis with the official opening of Tistilal Village, a new development aimed at providing affordable homes for low-income families. The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) spearheaded the transformation of an old complex into this modern 57-unit housing project, emphasizing serving those in dire need – including 16 units dedicated to Permanent Supportive Housing for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.
As reported by the City of Portland's Housing Bureau, Tistilal Village isn't just about providing a roof over heads and creating a community. Alongside the residences, the development boasts a central plaza, a children's play area, seating, and community gardens. For the wetter Portland days, there are indoor community spaces as well as service offices with trauma-informed designs that offer supportive aid from both NAYA and the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA).
The need for such a complex was clear, as Tistilal Village includes 22 units with two or three bedrooms to better accommodate larger households. This addresses a vital gap in the affordable housing market, prioritizing families with children struggling to find suitable living arrangements within their financial reach. The project is a collaborative achievement featuring design by Carleton Hart Architecture and construction handled by Colas Construction, with the Housing Development Center providing development support.
This project marks another success for Portland's initiatives using Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds. Tistilal Village is one among eight affordable housing projects realized thus far, with the Metro Bond ambitiously racing past its set goals. The endeavor has catalyzed the development of over 2,000 affordable homes and is proceeding to inch beyond those numbers.
