
Inside news from the Housing Authority of Portland	May 2007

Warm Weather Brings Plans to Cool Down McCoy Park

The advent of summer is turning the spotlight on safety and security issues at New Columbia's McCoy Park.

A recent New Columbia Community Safety Town Hall meeting unveiled plans to ensure that McCoy Park remains a park for everyone. "McCoy Park is a brand new and beautiful park that is well-used by the families living nearby," said HAP Executive Director Steve Rudman. "But it has also become attractive to unsupervised youth, many from outside the area, who are looking for a new place to hang out and end up causing trouble."

HAP credits the Public Safety Partnership Team for New Columbia, formed at the end of summer 2006, for leaping into action to address recent problems at the park and formulate a strategy to keep summer 2007 safe and calm. In addition to HAP, the team includes the North Portland Police precinct, Allied Group property management, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement. The Mayor's Office of Youth Violence Prevention also has been involved.

"These challenges are not unique," Rudman continued, "but we want to address them right away. Both McCoy Park and the new Boys & Girls Club will be busy this summer with activities to keep kids busy and engaged. Plus, we'll have three community police officers on patrol, increased private security, and four youth outreach workers to interact with kids and head off any negative activity. And new, improved lighting will put more 'eyes' on the park at all hours.

"We're redoubling our efforts to help ensure that the entire community can feel safe while they enjoy the park," he said.

Read the New Columbia Neighbor newsletter, May 2007

HAP's Commitment to Community Brings Awards

HAP has been honored recently with two prestigious awards recognizing its affordable housing programs and business opportunities for women and minorities.

HAP was named Public Agency of the Year by the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) at its annual conference on May 10. According to Jerry Walker, HAP's purchasing manager, and a member of OAME's conference planning committee, this is the first time HAP has been honored by the organization. OAME noted the success at New Columbia where HAP exceeded its goals for contracting and workforce diversity. "We are honored to be acknowledged by OAME," said Jeff Bachrach, HAP's Board Chair. "The Board strongly supports economic participation, and the agency has worked hard to embrace diversity in all it does, from improving our contracting policies to increasing economic opportunities through construction projects."

At its 2007 Oregon Housing Conference, the Oregon department of Housing and Community Services (OHCS) honored HAP's New Columbia community with an Excellence in Housing Award in the Community Revitalization category. The OHCS award highlighted the transformation of New Columbia from an isolated and underdeveloped site into a mixed-use community that has gracefully blended into the surrounding neighborhood.

The Morrison Frames Plans for the Future

Progress at The Morrison is shaping up nicely. Framing on the five-story affordable housing apartment community across from PGE Park is set to be completed this month. Roofing will be done by late June, leaving the rest of the summer for finishing interiors in each of the 140 units. According to Mike Andrews, director of development and community revitalization, HAP is incorporating several sustainable and green building features into The Morrison in order to earn LEED certification at the silver rating.

With construction proceeding briskly, HAP has hired Income Property Management (IPM) to manage the property. "IPM has a good understanding of special needs housing as well as the downtown market," said Michael Havlik, asset management director. IPM begins work right away to plan marketing, preleasing, and tenant recruitment and retention. Model units will be ready in September with the first units ready for occupancy in October.

Among The Morrison's affordable housing units will be 45 units of permanent supportive housing to help residents successfully transition from homelessness. NW Pilot Project and Cascade Aids Project will provide case management services to these tenants.

Read more about The Morrison

HAP PROFILE: El Programa Hispano-Catholic Charities

Twenty-five years ago, El Programa Hispano was formed by Catholic Charities to reach out to farmworkers in East Multnomah County.

Since that time, El Programa Hispano has grown to offer more than 14 programs to serve the Latino community from domestic violence and gang prevention to services for seniors, community leadership development, and financial literacy classes. Their mission remains the same, however: to increase self-sufficiency within the Latino community, assist people in achieving a better quality of life, and help bridge understanding and respect among cultures. Gloria Wiggins, Latino Services division manager, estimates the agency serves more than 10,000 people a year.

HAP selected El Programa Hispano to provide services for the agency's Opportunity Housing Initiative at the Fairview Woods apartments. El Programa Hispano will provide services to all residents who request the support and deliver the family self-sufficiency services for the 40 households participating in the pilot project.

"While our roots are in the Latino community, we serve anyone who needs help," said Wiggins. "The Fairview project is a natural fit for us because we know this community so well. We already work with youth and families in the area, many of whom live in the Fairview Woods complex. And we offer such a broad range of programs we know we can match any request with help."