After four years of planning and effort, construction is beginning on 150 units of low cost, quality housing on the northwest corner of Albertina Kerr’s Gresham campus.
Kerr’s Workforce & Inclusive Housing Project addresses the critical need of access to safe, quality, affordable housing—one of the most basic and powerful social determinants of health—providing greater workforce stability for Kerr caregivers and improved client care.
The project will also include fully accessible independent living opportunities for 30 adults experiencing I/DD. This is a population that has few affordable and accessible options for integrated and independent living. In addition, when completed, this innovative project will be one of the first and largest net zero affordable housing projects in the U.S.—producing enough energy to fully operate the entire building. This will add another layer of affordability for residents, as they won’t have to pay for electricity, water, sewer, or high-speed internet access.
“The universally accessible units will be sprinkled throughout the project making it truly an inclusive housing community,” says Jeff Carr, CEO of Albertina Kerr. “Those who care for the most vulnerable in our community are the backbone of our social safety net,” says Carr. “If they become as vulnerable as the people they care for due to housing instability, our entire community is at risk. Kerr is thrilled to be part of a solution to improve the lives and health of our caregivers, clients, and community.”
Join us for the Workforce & Inclusive Housing virtual groundbreaking Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.