These artists each worked in unique media, and they often collaborated together to produce murals, paintings and textiles. This has created a permanent history of a community that has been disbanded by the forces of gentrification. These new apartment buildings honor Shamsud-Din and Lewis and embody Sabin CDC’s commitment to honoring and preserving NE Portland’s African American communities by expanding housing opportunities.

Families are drawn to Sabin CDC’s history of housing long-time and returning neighborhood residents who might otherwise be displaced by the gentrification of NE Portland. By reintroducing NE Portland to these important artists and their work, Sabin seeks not only to create affordable housing opportunities, but to hear the voice and history of the local minority community.

To achieve this goal. Sabin sought out a State grant to fund Hands Across the Table (HATT). HATT was envisioned to convene leaders in the black and minority communities with two goals: 1. to speak to the vision of housing design in the future, and 2. provide the elements needed to strengthen the community connection within NE Portland and within the new communities of Harvey Rice Heritage, which is made up of Isaka Shamsud-Din and Charlotte Lewis.

As stewards of affordable housing, Sabin CDC strives to preserve economic and racial diversity in neighborhoods where housing costs have increased exponentially since 1990, while incomes have become more polarized. Our resident demographics mimic the overall neighborhood composition in 1990: incomes average 20-50% of median, resident age is above median, 27% of our residents identify as disabled, and 76% of our residents identify as African American or Multi-Racial. Because of our relatively small scale, Sabin CDC is an approachable nonprofit organization where word-of-mouth has provided a pathway for people of color to affordable housing in Inner N/NE Portland.

About Sabin CDC

The neighborhoods that Sabin CDC serves are in the heart of Portland’s historic, vibrant African-American community; one that over time was redlined and suffered from disinvestment. When Sabin began in 1991, its role was to be a revitalizer by investing in the renovation of abandoned buildings. Now, its role is that of a preservationist to ensure that a diversity of residents can remain in their neighborhoods. Stable housing is a first step to economic and social stability. Sabin CDC’s role as a provider of affordable housing is one way to dismantle barriers and improve community conditions that place people first and bring people home.

Acknowledgements

Because affordable housing is not a solo endeavor, Sabin CDC would like to acknowledge support from our many partners including but not limited to: Housing Development Center (HDC),  Impact Capital, Heritage Bank, S|EA LLC Architects, P&C Construction, Peregrine Relocations, National Equity Fund, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH), Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) (Low Income Housing Tax Credits 9% (LIHTC), General Housing Assistance Program, Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits, METRO, and the Oregon Multifamily Energy Program), Living Cully, BES’s Portland Brownfield Program, and the Office of Commissioner Amanda Fritz. The planning for the Harvey Rice Heritage took form with support from Meyer Memorial Trust.

The Development Partners

Sabin CDC (www.sabincdc.us) currently owns and manages 120+ units of affordable housing in NE Portland; currently, 70% of our residents identify as African American.  Founded in 1991.

Iron Tribe Network (www.irontribenetwork.org) has 10+ years of experience housing and supporting previously incarcerated individuals, a population that is disproportionately African-American and at high risk of homelessness and recidivism complicated by high rates of mental health, addiction and trauma challenges.  Founded in 2009.

Community Vision (www.cvision.org) is Oregon’s largest provider of individualizes support for people with disabilities, including developmental disabilities. Founded in 1993.

Photo: Sabin CDC Board Members

Sabin CDC also wishes to acknowledge the support of the Sabin CDC Board of Directors: Mr. Harvey Rice, Brad Hippert, Jillian Saurage-Felton, Samuel Cole, Robyn Harris, Doris Stevenson and Justin Reeves Meyer and several  Sabin CDC staff: Mary Schoen-Clark, Executive Director; Dr. Loulie Brown, Housing Director; Abel Johnson, Director of Property Management; and Darleen Solomon-Rogers, Resident Services Director; along with Sabin CDC Consultant: Laura Rose MPA NFPM for their steadfast commitment and contributions to the mission of Sabin CDC and to this effort.

MAP

(Sites A & B marked)

UNIT CONFIGURATION

(Sites A & B)

A. Isaka Shamsud-Din:

5421 NE 14th Place 

Featuring (6) Studio, (12) One-Bedroom, and

(11) Two-Bedroom Units

for a total of 29 Dwelling Units

plus the

ISAKA SHAMSUD-DIN COMMUNITY ROOM & GALLERY

B. Charlotte Lewis: 

5740 NE 72nd Avenue

Featuring (2) Two-Bedroom, and (10) Three-Bedroom Units

for total of 12 Dwelling Units

plus the

CHARLOTTE LEWIS OUTDOOR COMMUNITY CLASSROOM

C.  Combined Total between Sites A & B: 

(6) Studio, (12) One-Bedroom,

(13) Two-Bedroom and (10) Three-Bedroom Units

for a Grand Total of 41 Dwelling Units

INTERIOR DETAILS

Download HRH Interior Details (PDF Format, 10 pages)  

ARTIST DETAILS

Isaka Shamsud-Din

Charlotte Lewis

COMMUNITY SPACES & GALLERIES

Isaka Shamsud-Din

1,400 sf Indoor Community Room Space

Charlotte Lewis

1,100 sf Outdoor Education Space

TIMELINE EVENTS

Click to Visit the Construction Photo Gallery

Click to Visit the Cully Event Photo Gallery

Grand Opening in Winter of 2022