In Washington County, known for its steep housing costs, which peak at nearly $2,000 per month in average rent, the narrative is shifting for families like Lisa's, thanks to the voter-approved Metro Affordable Housing Bond from 2018. A glimpse into this transformation was provided when Washington County's news page reported the opening of Altura Apartments in Beaverton, presenting 75 new affordable homes to the community.
Lisa, a single mother from Oregon City in her 40s, found solace and stability within the county's earnest effort at change. Following a tumultuous separation and a subsequent housing struggle, Lisa's story stands as a beacon to many. She shared with Washington County's news release, "It was extremely hard trying to find work, a place to live, everything." However, with Community Connect, a service measure funded by the Metro Supportive Housing Services, and her relentless endeavors, she transitioned from being a guest in family members’ homes to living in provisional spaces and eventually finding stability at Altura.
From the ground up, Washington County is not just erecting spaces to live, but an ecosystem of support that looks beyond the immediacy of shelter. Lisa, once independent and caught off-guard by life’s unpredictable undercurrents, now sees the value in asking for help. "Honestly, they can build a building like anyone else and not go above and beyond like what they’re doing," Lisa asserts, referring to the additional support provided by programs like Community Connect. She highlights the human touch Washington County extends, which for her became the fulcrum of transformation from subsistence to thriving.
