Mercy Housing Northwest’s First Affordable Housing Community in Oregon

Mercy Housing Northwest, in partnership with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), celebrated the grand opening of Mercy Greenbrae, marking Mercy Housing’s first affordable housing community in Oregon.

Located on the former campus of Marylhurst University, founded by the Sisters in 1893, Mercy Greenbrae is the result of working closely with local partners and the community over the past two years.

“For the kids and families who will reside at Mercy Greenbrae, the opportunity is a life changer,” said City of Lake Oswego Mayor Joe Buck. “We’re excited to welcome the new residents to our community and have been proud to partner with Mercy Housing to ensure the long-term success of their development through property tax incentives and other cost savings to the project. Mercy Housing has been a tremendous partner to work with on this milestone for the Lake Oswego community.”

Marylhurst University is now Mercy Greenbrae

Maureen Delaney, SNJM Provincial, adds, “As Sisters of the Holy Names, we stay true to the ideals and teachings of our founder, Mother Marie-Rose, by responding to the needs of the people. We are privileged to work with Mercy Housing, an organization whose values so closely align with ours, and to share our Marylhurst campus with the residents of the Mercy Greenbrae affordable housing community.”

Mercy Greenbrae features 100 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes, helping to meet the critical need for affordable family housing in the Portland Metro area. The community also features offices for onsite property management and resident services staff, a community room with a kitchen, a technology center for residents, and an outdoor recreation space with a playground.

 

“The Housing Authority of Clackamas County was proud to contribute $3 million to help make this development a reality,” shares Mark Shull, Clackamas County Commissioner. “Forty of these 100 apartments are for families or people who were homeless or at risk of it. For kids, the long-lasting trauma and impacts of homelessness cannot be understated, and communities must take action to stop it.”

Mercy Greenbrae is one of the country’s most energy-efficient affordable housing communities. With support from SNJM, the community is pursuing Passive House USA (PHIUS) certification, a rigorous performance-based energy efficiency certification. The building is expected to use 40% less electricity than a conventional design and will not consume fossil fuels.

Thank you to the Following Funders and Partners:

• Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services
• Oregon Metro
• The Housing Authority of Clackamas County
• Oregon Multifamily Energy Program
• Energy Trust of Oregon
• Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
• Key Bank (construction lender and long-term lender)
• Key Community Development Corporation (Tax Credit investor)
• Mercy Housing, Inc.

Mercy Greenbrae was designed by Carleton Hart Architecture and was built by Walsh Construction Company. Additional team members: Harper, Houf, Peterson, and Righillis, Inc., civil engineer, and surveyor; ColeBreit Engineering, mechanical; MZLA, Landscape Architect; TM Rippey, Structural Engineer; O’Neill Electric, electrical and low voltage; Russel & Sons, plumbing; O’Brien360, sustainability consultant and Certified Passive House Consultant; PBS Engineering, geotechnical and environmental.