Congratulations are in order for Senior Director of Community Development Mary-Rain O’Meara on being named a 2022 Woman of Vision by the Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon!
A leader among women, Mary-Rain has been in the affordable housing and community development industry for over 13 years working for both public and nonprofit organizations. Mary-Rain joined CCC in 2018 to focus on the expansion and preservation of the agency’s diverse affordable housing and real estate portfolio.
A few of her significant accomplishments at Central City Concern include oversight and development of the finance, design and construction of 870 units of rehabbed and new affordable housing units. The types of housing range from transitional, recovery, permanent supportive to workforce developments.
Significantly, she oversaw the construction completion of the Blackburn Center, a 150,000 square foot mixed use healthcare center and housing building located in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood. She secured the acquisition and operating funds for River Haven, a 65-unit early recovery housing community located in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood, one of the first buildings to open in Multnomah County using the State of Oregon’s “Project Turnkey” funding.
She’s currently overseeing the development of two new projects expanding access to permanent and recovery housing in Portland: the Starlight, a 100-unit mixed use permanent supportive housing building opening in October 2022 in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood, and Meridian Gardens, an 85-unit permanent recovery housing building opening in early 2024 in SE Portland.
Mary-Rain has served on the Old Town Community Association Board since 2019. She is a member of the Executive Committee and Co-Chairs the Land Use & Transportation Committee. She was also a member of the Portland Business Alliance 2020/21 Leadership Portland Class.
Central City Concern is thrilled and honored to celebrate this Women of Vision and all her accomplishments!
For a full list of this year’s honorees and more information about the in-person celebration on October 26, visit the Daily Journal of Commerce website.
By combining housing with wraparound health services, providing jobs, and upgrading buildings with green technology, CCC’s programs are transforming neighborhoods and changing lives.
