Albertina Kerr to build 150 affordable housing units for low-wage caregivers and adults experiencing intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
Workforce & Inclusive Housing Project is the largest net-zero energy affordable housing project in the Pacific Northwest and will rank in the top 5 in the U.S. for net-zero energy multifamily buildings.
PORTLAND, OR – February 2021 – Albertina Kerr, one of the largest and oldest human services providers in the Pacific Northwest will develop, in partnership with Edlen & Company, affordable housing units that will directly impact those working in and served by the human services industry.
Once complete, Kerr’s Workforce & Inclusive Housing project will include 150 affordable units with 25 studios, 94 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom and 8 three-bedroom apartments. In an effort to provide greater workforce stability for low-wage caregivers—Kerr employees and others, there will be 102 units affordable to households that make 60% of area median income (AMI), 11 units affordable to households that make 70% AMI and 4 units affordable to households that make 80% AMI.
Allocated within the 150 units will be 30 units affordable at 30% AMI for residents experiencing an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) and will be fully integrated into the overall building and resident population. This integration is of critical importance to Albertina Kerr to create a building-wide culture of inclusion across all ability levels. Individuals experiencing I/DD face a critical shortage of quality, affordable, accessible housing, and often earn 30% or less than the area median income. These units will offer state-of-the-art technology creating a new platform in accessibility for residents experiencing I/DD that expands beyond the traditional ADA standards to achieve an enhanced independence and quality of life. There will also be 3 additional units that will serve as temporary or emergency housing for those experiencing crisis homelessness.
“The involvement of Edlen & Company has been instrumental to pursuing our vision of workforce and inclusive housing at Albertina Kerr. Their expertise, network of resources and genuine support of our values and intention to provide housing for workers supporting the most vulnerable has been critical to this project,” states Jeff Carr, Albertina Kerr, CEO.
When completed in spring 2022, Kerr’s Workforce & Inclusive Housing project will be the largest net-zero energy, affordable housing project in the Pacific Northwest and one of the largest net-zero energy affordable housing projects in the country - ranking in the top 5 in the country for net-zero energy multifamily buildings. Solar panels will produce enough renewable energy to provide all the electricity required to operate the entire building over the course of a year, adding another layer of affordability in that residents won't pay for utilities, including high-speed internet access.
“Partnering with Albertina Kerr on their Workforce and Inclusive Housing project speaks to our core foundation at Edlen & Company to create affordable and equitable opportunities that preserve community, while also pushing the boundaries of sustainability,” according to Jill Sherman, Co-founder at Edlen & Company.
Albertina Kerr is pursuing this project in partnership with Edlen & Company, Ankrom Moisan, Green Hammer, PAE Engineers and Pence Construction. For more information about the project, you can view the groundbreaking ceremony in its entirety (30 minutes), by clicking here.
Additionally, there are individual videos from the ceremony that outline specific aspects of the project:
Albertina Kerr: How it began…
Albertina Kerr: A solution for employees
Albertina Kerr: A new standard of accessibility
Albertina Kerr: A sustainable future
Albertina Kerr: Looking to the future
About Edlen & Company
Edlen & Company is a mission-driven real estate investment, development and asset management firm at the intersection of environmental stewardship, social sustainability and responsible growth. Founded by Mark Edlen, Roger Krage, Jill Sherman and Matt Edlen, the firm connects people to opportunity and expands the boundaries of sustainability through innovative and collaborative partnerships.
About Albertina Kerr
Since 1907, Kerr has been caring for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens. Over the decades, Kerr’s services have evolved to meet community needs. Today, Kerr offers children and teens struggling with life’s challenges short-term crisis psychiatric care and community-based outpatient mental health services. Kerr provides safe and supportive 24-hour residential group homes for children and adults experiencing an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD), as well as employment training, placement and follow-along coaching to adults with I/DD. Last year, Kerr provided more than 1,000 children, teens, and adults with essential, life-saving care.