On October 31, music filled the air as hundreds celebrated the Grand Opening of Meridian Gardens while dancing to the Caribbean sounds of Conjunto Alegre!
Located on SE 113th and Division in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Portland neighborhood, Meridian Gardens is Central City Concern’s (CCC) third planned development in our Division Street Campus, adding 85 units to a total of 283 units of housing ranging from permanent supportive to workforce housing. The campus is part of CCC’s strategy to expand our services by offering deeply affordable housing in outer southeast Portland, a severely underserved area.
Meridian’s 85 new homes include 65 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and 20 deeply affordable units. All residents will benefit from recovery-focused programming. The housing is accessible to those earning between 0-50% of the area median income. Referrals to Meridian will come primarily from three CCC programs including Puentes; River Haven; and our future residential treatment center, 16 x Burnside Recovery Center, opening in 2025; as well as several outside partners.
Trauma Informed Design
The four-story building, located on a high frequency transit line, features shared communal spaces such as kitchens, lounges, meeting rooms and an outdoor courtyard. Nature themes prevail throughout the building, from the reclaimed material used in the custom-built benches, wall coverings and window vinyl, to a mural painted by local artist Emily Kepulis, and the open light filled spaces that foster connection and healing inside the building and out. The architectural team from Ankrom Moisan emphasized trauma-informed design to evoke feelings of security and support residents’ recovery journeys. The works of art in the building are by local Pacific NW artists, chosen by CCC’s volunteer Art Task Force, and complement CCC’s unique healing model.
“Today, we celebrate not just the Meridian Gardens grand opening, but a profound step towards healing and empowerment of our community. This initiative represents a beacon of hope, illuminating a path towards stability for many who have faced the shadows of trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders.” -Iris Torres-Garcia, Mental Health Clinician, Puentes
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“When I came in [to Puentes], I felt welcome, respected, felt important, and that I was somebody that matters. The team at Puentes made me feel human again, that my voice matters. Me as a person, I matter. They gave me hope again. They helped me realize that I was not alone at Puentes.” -Josue Vargas, a new resident moving into Meridian Gardens |
A Clean, Green Building
As part of CCC’s Climate Action Commitment, Meridian Gardens is designed to be a model sustainable community and has achieved Earth Advantage Platinum rating. The Energy Trust of Oregon provided grant funding and energy efficiency incentives to help support our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support CCC’s mission of addressing the ecological hazards of climate change.
Meridian Gardens’ sustainable features include:
- The largest solar array among all CCC’s housing properties, with a 52-kW capacity generating clean, renewable energy.
- A 100% electric building with no natural gas on-site.
- Eight electric vehicle (EV) charging stations thanks to the PGE Drive Change Fund.
Our Deepest Gratitude
The development team includes CCC, Walsh Construction, Ankrom Moisan Architects and GLI Advisors. The $29 million project is being funded by long-term operating subsidies through Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services in partnership with Multnomah County’s Department of Behavioral Health Services to support ongoing services including case management, employment support, addiction treatment and recovery-focused programming; the Portland Housing Bureau thanks to Metro area voters who passed Measure 26-199, and Measure 26-210, the Metro Supportive Housing Services program; Oregon Housing and Community Services, with their award of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Housing Trust Fund dollars. US Bank and Umpqua Bank.
For individuals who are committed to their recovery and benefit from living in a community of neighbors free from alcohol and drug use, Meridian Gardens is an oasis of long-term recovery and support.
Welcome home!
Want to learn more about Meridian Gardens, including the tenant selection plan and how to apply?
