New Multifamily Affordable Housing in Highland’s Neighborhood
Written by Tim Buckley, March 2025
Housing happens regardless of the intention. But intentionality – whether in zoning regulations or in how developments are designed and implemented - has the potential to raise the tide for entire communities. When developments are done well, society is enhanced, both socially and economically.
Josh Graves prepares to cut the ribbon officially opening the new Pacific Station 3-4 bedroom apartments complete with wraparound services
Catholic Community Services Foundation was the lead partner in the development of Pacific Station on Highland Avenue. The 12-unit multistory building replaces a handful of older one-story cottages. “Pacific Station offers 39 bedrooms on the same footprint where the older cottages once sat,” said Josh Graves, CEO of Catholic Community Services. “The new building more than triples the available occupancy,” he added. “More importantly, the units are three or four bedrooms, providing much needed housing for larger families.”
“Being built in an established inner-city neighborhood allows residents to be closer to public transit, shopping and other community resources than the more typical housing complexes on the northeast side of the city,” Graves said.
Novelties and Attractions at Pacific Station
Pacific Station, and other developments like it, could become a standard for meeting the growing need for affordable housing. “The way the project was funded, where it was built, who it will accommodate, and how it will function are all novel,” said Graves. Catholic Community Services Foundation, which owns 290 properties in the Mid-Valley, will continue to use this model because it’s healthier way to build community.
Financing: “There is no federal HUD or OHCS (Oregon Housing and Community Services) funding,” Graves continued. “Instead, three partner organizations put in what was needed to launch the project. Pacific Source (health insurance, including Medicaid), Marion County (American Rescue Plan funds) and Catholic Community Services Foundation together contributed about $4 million. That, and a low interest rate on what was borrowed, allows us savings that are being passed on to the residents.”
Larger units and accessibility: “Not many affordable housing developments have three- and four-bedroom apartments, and virtually none are ADA accessible,” he continued. “All the units in Pacific Station will be larger, and four will be fully ADA or easily adaptable to accommodate people with disabilities.”
Cost: “Because of funding structure and the vision of the nonprofit ownership, renters who qualify (a family of three earning less than $49,320, or less than 60% of median income) can rent at Pacific Station for $1,300 a month, compared with about $1,800 a month for a comparable three bedroom place elsewhere,” he said.
Services: Graves said, “The savings also allow us to fund a Community Health Worker on site full time, who is available to assist families with a variety of low or no cost resources they need to thrive.”
The City of Salem’s Vision Statement imagines our metro area will become “a livable, equitable, carbon neutral city where everyone has access to affordable housing and safe mobility choices, families and local businesses are thriving, diversity and culture is celebrated, and open spaces and the environment are valued and protected.”
Pacific Station is a manifestation of that vision. Catholic Community Services, one of CBEL’s three Impact Initiative partners, is the brains and heart behind that vision in the Highland neighborhood and elsewhere.