Printer
Friendly Version
Wyden, Smith Announce $16.8 Million
for Public Housing Revitalization
October 28, 2005
Washington, DC – Senators
Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith announced that the Housing Authority
of Portland will receive over $16.8 million to revitalize the
Iris Court public housing development.
"These funds will go a long
way toward providing much-needed quality affordable housing in
the Humboldt neighborhood and a safe and thriving community overall,"
said Wyden. "Investing in projects with grants like these
not only benefits Oregon families who need help the most, but
also boosts our economy as a whole."
“Quality of life in a city is about
the quality of the lives led by its citizens,” Smith said.
“It’s not just a matter of building nicer homes, it’s
providing education, job training, and support for people who
want to create a better world for themselves and their families.”
Located in the Humboldt neighborhood in
north Portland, the Iris Court Cluster is currently comprised
of 101 public housing units and seven non-residential units. The
Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) has proposed replacing the
complex with 100 units of public housing and 29 affordable rental
units. HAP’s plan also includes 21 affordable homeownership
units on scattered site parcels of single-family homes HAP currently
owns in Humboldt and surrounding neighborhoods within three
miles of the Iris Court Cluster.
The plan will incorporate traditional architectural,
traffic patterns and landscape features of residential neighborhoods.
The revitalized development will provide housing and programs
that will foster self-sufficiency among residents with a range
of incomes, including adult education, job training, apprenticeships
and other programs.
The HOPE VI Program was developed as a
result of recommendations by National Commission on Severely Distressed
Public Housing, which was charged with proposing a National Action
Plan to eradicate severely distressed public housing. The Commission
recommended revitalization in three general areas: physical improvements,
management improvements, and social and community services to
address resident needs. To date, HUD has awarded approximately
$5.7 billion in HOPE VI Revitalization grants.
# # #