The City of Portland Housing Bureau has announced plans for the construction of a new affordable housing project, Jamii Court, at the site of the old Portland Value Inn. According to the City of Portland, Oregon public notice released by the bureau, the proposed development at 10450 SW Barbur Blvd aims to provide 96 units of affordable housing with a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments.
Slated to utilize a mix of funds that includes $7,000,000 from Metro Site Acquisition Funds, $6,250,000 in Metro Bonds, $1,800,000 from HOME, and 39 Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers, the city's total subsidy for Jamii Court is pegged at approximately $15 million. The selection of a location facing Markham Elementary's open fields, pledges not just a panorama of green for future residents but a promise of recreation, uncluttered by the dense urban sprawl. The unit mix is designated to accommodate various income levels, with 32 units restricted at 60% AMI, 25 at 50% AMI, and 39 deeply affordable units at 30% AMI, as reported by the City of Portland, Oregon.
Beyond providing much-needed affordable housing, the amenities planned for Jamii Court, include community rooms, laundry facilities, bike storage, and lounges. Outdoors, residents can look forward to a landscaped plaza connected to the lobby and the larger of two community rooms. A sheltered waiting area is also on the roster, alongside 36 parking spaces.
In the lead-up to this development, the city has issued a "Finding of No Significant Impact," a step toward expediting the project without the demands of an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Reflecting on this, Anna Shook, acting as the HUD Certifying Officer, confirms that project responsibilities have been met, assuring stakeholders of environmental due diligence. Those desiring to glance over the detailed Environmental Review Record can do so either at the Portland Housing Bureau's office or by accessing HUD's public comment site, as stated by the City of Portland, Oregon.
Public feedback on the Environmental Review Record is invited until April 7, with the City of Portland, Oregon taking all inputs into consideration before authorizing the release of funds for the project. The input process stands as a testament to democratic engagement, where the voices of the many could shape the usage and disbursement of government monies. Meanwhile, HUD will accept objections to the release of funds based on specific regulatory bases for a 15-day period following the funding request submission. For those wishing to file any objections, they must make sure their concerns align with guidelines set by HUD regulations.
