Washington County Celebrates Grand Opening of Affordable Housing at Viewfinder

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 23, 2022

TIGARD, Ore.– Elected officials, community leaders, and residents will celebrate the grand opening of Viewfinder, a new, 81-unit affordable housing apartment community in Tigard, on Wednesday, June 29 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

WHAT:

• Remarks at 3 p.m.
• Ribbon cutting at 4 p.m.
• Self-guided tours at 4:15 p.m.

WHERE: Viewfinder, 11600 SW 72nd Ave, Tigard, OR 97223

WHO:

• Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
• Kathryn Harrington, Chair, Washington County
• Gerritt Rosenthal, Councilor, Metro
• Margaret Salazar, Regional Administrator of the NW, HUD
• Jason Snider, Mayor, City of Tigard
• Andrea Bell, Executive Director, Oregon Housing and Community Services
• Komi Kalevor Executive Director, Housing Authority of Washington County
• Genevieve Sheridan, Executive Director, Good Neighbor Center
• Eric Paine, CEO, Community Development Partners

More about the Viewfinder

Located in the heart of the Tigard Triangle area, the six-story, affordable apartment building has 81 residential units, including 25 one-bedroom, 46 two-bedroom, and 10 three-bedroom apartments. The Viewfinder has community space on the ground and second floors, an indoor play area, laundry facilities on each floor, and a private courtyard. The Viewfinder was recently named by Daily Journal of Commerce as the Top Affordable & Supportive Housing Project of the Year thanks to its integration of services and amenities for residents, incorporation of art from local artists, and its thoughtful design.

The Viewfinder apartments are available to households and families earning 30-60% of the area median income. Rents have risen swiftly in recent years – much faster than incomes – pricing out especially Black people, Indigenous people, other people of color, immigrants, veterans, people with disabilities and other low-income renters.

Residents at Viewfinder can receive supportive services through local non-profit The Good Neighbor Center, which has an office in the building and supports eight units of permanent supportive housing. Also, eight of the apartments are set aside for veterans who have experienced homelessness through a special program with Veterans Affairs.

The Viewfinder is the result of a partnership between Community Development Partners and the Housing Authority of Washington County, with support from Metro, OHCS, the City of Tigard, and other partners and community stakeholders.

The Viewfinder was realized by the Metro Regional Affordable Housing Bond. Approved by voters in 2018, the Metro Regional Affordable Housing Bond created $652.8 million in bond financing to build affordable homes across Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties. This is the first housing bond project led by Washington County to open its doors, with several others breaking ground and beginning the lease-up process in the coming months.

Resident spotlight

Sumaya first learned about the Viewfinder through an event hosted by Washington County and the Somali Empowerment Circle, a local community based organization. Before moving into Viewfinder, she and her husband were living in an expensive and rundown apartment in Tigard. Sumaya said that having decent, affordable housing has had a huge impact, allowing her to continue to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Portland State University while working part-time. "I am just so thankful. There is laundry on every floor. I love the views! Our old apartment didn’t even have windows or air conditioning."

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