REACH Breaks Ground on Phase One of an Affordable Housing Development in the Tigard Triangle
TIGARD, ORE. – REACH Community Development (REACH) celebrated the groundbreaking of Dartmouth Crossing North, creating 85 new affordable apartment homes in Tigard for households living on lower incomes, below 60% of median income. This will be REACH’s first community in Tigard and the first phase of a two-phased development.
Dartmouth Crossing North is a four-story family housing community located in the Tigard Triangle in the northeast corner of the city, just east of Downtown Tigard. The site is near a future planned stop for the Southwest Corridor light rail and provides quick access to regional job centers in Tigard, Beaverton, Tualatin, Portland and Portland Community College. The development includes a partnership with Community Vision, a local non-profit serving people with disabilities, and African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO).
“I want to congratulate REACH on the groundbreaking at Dartmouth Crossing North,” said U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06). “This project, which was made possible in part thanks to the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, will help increase access to housing in Tigard and the surrounding area. I look forward to seeing it through to completion. In the meantime, I’ll keep working together with our local governments and community partners to end the housing crisis and ensure all Oregonians can find a permanent, affordable place to live.”
Tigard is considered a “severely rent burdened” city, with 28% of residents spending more than half of the household’s income on rent. Within the city of Tigard, there is a need for more than 4,600 housing units affordable to lower-income households. Dartmouth Crossing North is helping to fill that gap.
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) has been supporting this development since REACH first acquired the land from a private developer. She helped commit funding that would support the planning for future public community space that would be open to the entire community.
Said Rep. Bonamici, “Last summer I met with REACH leadership on the empty lot in Tigard that became the site of Dartmouth Crossing. I was inspired by their vision of fostering community and pairing affordable housing with supports like an on-site early childhood learning center and recreational center. I was glad to secure federal funding for Dartmouth Crossing and I look forward to seeing how this once-empty lot transforms.”
The design includes indoor active spaces and laundry rooms adjacent to outdoor amenities to increase livability. Private and public plazas will allow for small and large group gatherings. The large public plaza opens onto a planned pedestrian-friendly street to facilitate street festivals and provide much needed public space in the Tigard Triangle.
“Creating equitable housing opportunities and incorporating community gathering spaces were key priorities in developing this location,” said REACH CEO Dan Valliere. “With access to affordable transit options, proximity to living-wage jobs, and many community resources, Dartmouth Crossing North will be a supportive place to call home where families and individuals can realize their goals.”
The $30 million project is financed with funding from the City of Tigard’s Tax Incremental Financing program (TIF) allocated by the Town Center Development Agency, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Washington County HOME and HPOF, City of Tigard, PGE Renewable Development Fund, and Energy Trust of Oregon. Permanent financing will be provided by Citi Bank. U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance made a $19 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity investment in the project and is also the construction lender.
“We are proud to continue our long-standing support of affordable housing for Oregonians and continue working with REACH on significant community projects,” said U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance Affordable Housing Business Development Officer Ann Melone. “Dartmouth’s thoughtful location and design will ensure generations will benefit from all of the funders’ and partners’ hard work to create this important housing opportunity.”
The building will be managed by REACH and is designed by BORA Architecture & Interiors with construction by Colas Construction.
Dartmouth Crossing North will take approximately 18 months to complete. For more information and to receive development updates, please visit reachcdc.org/programs/Dartmouth-Crossing.
