Affordable Housing Rescued from Conversion Set to Reopen

A historic apartment building that has long provided affordablt living to elderly and disabled people living on a fixed income is set to reopen Friday.

The Bronaugh Apartments, a three-story, 50-unit building downtown, was purchased by REACH Community Development to stop it from being converted to market-rate apartments.

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"We wanted to continue providing housing for the Bronaugh's residents, some of whom have lived there for many years," says Lucy Corbett, Housing Project Manager. "Had the building been sold for re-development, it would have displaced the residents from their homes, further reducing affordable apartments in an area with high rents."

The building, which went up in 1905 and had not been renovated since 1982, has been "renovated with modern comforts while retaining and restoring its elegant, historic character," according to REACH.

They also gave the building a seismic upgrade.

REACH will have a grand reopening celebration on Friday, July 15th.

As Portland has been growing over the last several years, the city has seen a decrease in the amount of affordable housing.

Last month, the Portland City Council committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to address the issue.

Photo Sally Painter