A new affordable housing community, PCC Killingsworth, officially opened its doors in Northeast Portland on Thursday. This development integrates housing, career support, and education through a collaboration involving Home Forward, Portland Community College (PCC), and the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA).
The 84-unit apartment building is located at the intersection of Northeast 42nd Avenue and Northeast Killingsworth Street, on land donated by Portland Community College. It is situated near PCC’s Opportunity Center, which offers educational programs, job training, and other workforce resources.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, community members and local leaders, including Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, celebrated the grand opening of the housing development. Wilson described the project as an “ecosystem” that fosters a strong community.
“Rather than just providing four walls, this development incorporates opportunities for learning, working, living, and playing all in one location,” Wilson stated. “That’s what truly lays the groundwork for strong individuals and a resilient community.”
NAYA will offer on-site resident services and culturally relevant early childhood education. Oscar Arana, the executive director of NAYA, emphasized the importance of making these services accessible to families within their living environment. “It’s remarkable to see a vision come to life,” Arana noted. “Many people collaborated to ensure we created a welcoming space for Native families, allowing them to live here and access early childhood education.”
Tawna Sanchez, the state representative for House District 43, which includes north and Northeast Portland, and the director of family services at NAYA, described the development as the “ultimate dream.” She expressed hope for more innovative community projects that enable residents to live, work, and learn in a single location.
