Avesta Housing, a Portland-based nonprofit, is holding a grand opening Tuesday at its newest affordable apartment facility.
Thomas Heights on Washington Avenue has 18 efficiency units with monthly rents, including utilities, ranging from about $550 to $700 dollars. Avesta officials says that’s far less than the cost of comparable units in the city.
Avesta’s Matthew Peters says all 18 units are rented.
“Of the 18 households, 90 of them are formerly homeless and five of the formerly homeless people are veterans,” he says. “People generally make between zero, actually, and $27,000 a year.”
Peters says the new building replaces a single-family home that was on the site.
“New construction, very sustainable building envelop, low heat costs in the building and it’s right on the side of Washington Avenue that overlooks the sunset and has some great city views,” he says.
Peters says the Portland Housing Authority has provided five vouchers that will stay with the building to help pay housing costs.