Thursday, Central City Concern (CCC) celebrates the Grand Opening of the Starlight from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. at 355 N.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR.

The Starlight moves CCC forward in our mission of serving the most vulnerable in our community by providing 100 new homes, 70 of which will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The remaining units will be for community members with limited incomes. The $33 million project offers a mix of studio and single room occupancy (SRO) homes. Eight units will be home to residents earning under 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), twenty-two units for residents earning under 30% AMI, and seventy of the units will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. CCC is partnering with the Native American Rehabilitation Association and CCC’s Imani Center, Karibu and Flip the Script to offer culturally specific programming for Native and African American individuals.

An Investment in Portland, by Portlanders

The people of Portland have made a significant investment in the Starlight. In November 2016, Portland voters passed the city’s first-ever housing bond, dedicating $258.4 million to create 1,300 permanently affordable homes.

“CCC is proud to be a part of our city’s innovative and exciting Housing First solution at the Starlight,” says President and CEO Dr. Andy Mendenhall. “Being stably housed sets the foundation for folks to successfully engage in their journey of healing and recovery. Getting folks inside is protective to each individual housed, every community member and to businesses who are the drivers of our regional economy.”

The Starlight is moving Portland forward and making progress toward meeting the diverse housing needs of our community, especially those struggling with homelessness.

The development team behind the Starlight includes: Central City Concern, Walsh Construction, Works Progress Architecture, and GLI Advisors. Funding for the project is being provided by the Portland Housing Bureau-Portland Housing Bond, Oregon Housing and Community Services, U S Bank, Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services, Home Forward, Energy Trust of Oregon and Portland General Electric’s Renewable Development Fund.

The Grand Opening celebration will feature a performance by the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and a pop-up art gallery curated by p:ear and tenants from Everett Station Lofts.

Source: Central City Concern

Brad Ford