New NE Portland Affordable Housing Project Remains 70% Vacant

Nearly 3 months after the opening of the Beatrice Morrow Cannady affordable housing development in Northeast Portland, the building remains 70% vacant. The city received 1,500 applications from residents eager to take advantage of the city’s plan to return people displaced by gentrification and urban renewal back to North and Northeast Portland, but at the time the building opened only three people had been accepted to move into the 80-unit building. The City is partnering with Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, or PCRI, on the project, but a public records request indicates that the nonprofit has been attempting to abandon the city’s right to return criteria. According to Maxine Fitzpatrick, executive director of PCRI, the city’s criteria was too strict, and created an onerous process for prospective renters. Nearby, the Charlotte B. Rutherford Building developed by Central City Concern did not open until early December but had filled 49 of 51 units by February. Read more.