Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations

Many people walk through Portland without realizing that the innovative, sustainable, and community-oriented buildings they pass are actually affordable housing developments. On this 90-minute walking conversation, we’ll visit four Avesta Housing properties that support residents through thoughtful design, services, and community spaces, reshaping expectations about what affordable housing can be.

We’ll start at Oak Street Lofts, Maine’s first affordable multifamily building to achieve LEED Platinum certification, designed for local artists and featuring project workspace, comfortable apartments, and a ground-floor gallery open during First Fridays. At 409 Cumberland, we’ll see how residents access healthy living through Portland’s first rooftop greenhouse, community garden beds, and a teaching kitchen used in partnership with local nonprofits.
We’ll talk about the broader work happening at Avesta’s main office before visiting 89 Elm Street, the first phase of a 10-year, multi-partner redevelopment effort, where over 200 new units of affordable housing, mixed-use community spaces, and expanded green space will support the existing vibrant, dynamic Bayside neighborhood.
We’ll end at Unity at Bayside, a townhouse-style community organized around shared outdoor space and thoughtful amenities, supported by resident services and professional property management.

This Jane’s Walk is ideal for anyone curious about how affordable housing communities actually look and function. Along the way, we’ll discuss how each property upholds Avesta’s mission to improve lives and support strong communities where everyone has a place to call home. By stepping inside these spaces, attendees will gain a clearer picture of how affordable housing contributes to a thriving, inclusive Portland, often in ways hidden in plain sight.
Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The route includes indoor stops with ADA-accessible entry, elevators, and restroom access.