Transition Projects Opens "Deeply-Affordable" Argyle Gardens in Portland

People emerging from homelessness in Portland, Ore., have a new housing option.

Transition Projects has announced the completion of Argyle Gardens, which features 72 units of deeply affordable housing for low-income Portlanders as well as formerly homeless individuals. Located in North Portland, the project was designed by Portland firm Holst Architecture, who named their development approach Low Income Single Adult Housing, or LISAH. Argyle Gardens was conceived with the needs of low-income renters—including students and entry-level workers—as well as single adults in or nearing retirement.

Already, more than half of the units have been leased and programming has begun with those residents.

The project consists of four buildings, the largest of which contains 36 studio apartment units. Three buildings take a co-housing approach, and feature two six-bedroom pods, each of which has two shared bathrooms and a large kitchen. All four buildings are oriented around a central outdoor space which is accessible for community or individual use. There is also a large community space with facilities and support service offices. Argyle Gardens is close to light rail, bus lines, a public park, and a vibrant downtown area with commercial shopping.

The commitment to helping those in times of hardship is also shared by the staff. Resident Service Coordinator Wyndham McNair says he sees his role as ”a community steward, cultivating relationships and trust to ensure that residents of Argyle Gardens feel cared for as they take the next step in their lives.”

Earlier in 2020, the project inspired help from several Kaiser Permanente employees in Portland as part of the company’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. More than 200 volunteers helped with painting, building planter boxes and cleaning cabinets. They also prepared care baskets for new residents with items like bedding, toiletries and kitchen utensils.

The modular design and construction of Argyle Gardens achieved development costs that were 31% lower than typical affordable housing projects. Moreover, Transition Projects executive director George Devendorf emphasizes that these concepts can be replicated in almost any community.

Argyle Gardens was made possible by low income housing tax credits from the State of Oregon. Transition Projects and its partners involved in bringing Argyle Gardens to life believe that the concepts behind this project offer ”a compelling case for innovative, low cost solutions that meet the need of the individuals we serve,” says Devendorf.