Affordable housing in Milwaukie targets ‘missing middle’

PORTLAND, Ore (KATU) — You’ve probably heard of affordable housing options for those facing poverty. You’ve probably heard less about housing for the so-called “missing middle.”

The missing middle refers to housing options that span a range of price points.

“I think what’s interesting is that people don’t always understand what the middle is and how that expands across multiple income groups,” said Dominique Merriweather, executive director of Proud Ground. He’s working to transform a vacant lot in Milwaukie’s Ardenwald neighborhood into 15 960-square-foot, all-electric cottages.

“So all homeowners will be between 60% and 80% of the median income in the area. And so we qualify them for mortgages based on their income level,” Merriweather said.

As buying a home in the metro area becomes more difficult, this project aims to give families a chance at generational wealth. The project is funded by the city, county, nonprofit organizations and other groups.

“Everyone who buys a home in this community will be a first-time homebuyer. What we’re finding is that most of them are also first-generation homebuyers,” Merriweather said.

The mayor of Milwaukie says there could be more projects like this in the city.