New Affordable Housing in N Portland Named for Black Scholar

The legacy of Darrell Millner, PhD., a pioneering scholar and educator who uncovered the history of Black people in Oregon, will now live on in the heart of North Portland. This week, Community Development Partners (CDP) and Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI)  announced the grand opening of The Dr. Darrell Millner Building, a six-story affordable housing community located at 5050 N. Interstate Ave. in the Overlook neighborhood.

A Sept. 12 ceremony honored Millner’s contributions to the Black community. The new development brings 63 new affordable apartments to an area where Black families have been displaced due to urban renewal and gentrification. The Millner is the third major development to open under the Alberta Alive initiative—a collaborative, multi-stage effort by CDP and SEI to foster a thriving Black community in North and Northeast Portland.

The partnership between CDP, a mission-driven affordable housing developer, and SEI, Oregon’s largest African American-led nonprofit, combines CDP’s expertise in building life-enhancing communities with SEI’s longstanding dedication to serving Portland’s African American communities through culturally responsive services. Together they are leading a community-driven revitalization effort aimed at creating long-term stability and opportunity for residents.

Millner, 78, a professor emeritus at Portland State University and renowned expert on African American history in the West, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. His work laid the foundation for understanding the Black experience in Oregon, and now this development ensures the continuation of that legacy by supporting Black residents and families.

“It’s an honor to see my name attached to a project that provides such vital housing for Portland’s Black community,” Millner shared. “This development represents hope for future generations and reminds us that our history and culture have a permanent place in this city.”

All of The Millner’s 63 units are reserved for households that qualify under the city of Portland’s N/NE Preference Policy, which prioritizes people with generational ties to North and Northeast Portland. The building includes one-, two-and three-bedroom apartments, available to individuals and families earning up to 60% of the area median income. Monthly rents range from $1,327 for a one-bedroom unit to $1,841 for a three-bedroom, offering much-needed affordable options in a rapidly changing neighborhood.

In addition to providing housing, The Millner also includes 2,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, a community garden, an outdoor play area and parking, all designed to enhance the quality of life for residents.

Tony Hopson Sr., founder of SEI, emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing systemic inequities: “This is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that Portland’s Black community not only survives but thrives in neighborhoods they helped build. Working with CDP on The Millner is an extension of SEI’s decades-long mission to support youth, families and adults in realizing their full potential.”

Eric Paine, CEO of Community Development Partners, also highlighted the collaborative approach that made The Millner possible: “We have been partnering with SEI on this and other Alberta Alive projects since 2017, a relationship that has allowed us to deepen our connection with Portland’s Black community. Together, we are creating spaces where people can feel supported, find stability and reclaim their place in the neighborhood.”

The Millner is the third Alberta Alive development to open in the past nine months. The Ronnie Herndon Building, which opened in December 2023, provides 21 units for families, while the Paul and Geneva Knauls Building offers 31 homes for veterans. These projects are part of a larger vision by CDP and SEI to create a network of five affordable housing developments within one mile of each other, addressing a variety of housing needs in the historical heart of Portland’s Black community.

SEI will oversee resident services at The Millner, helping residents connect to its wide range of programs, including youth services, family support and workforce development, offered at the Tony Hopson Sr. Center for Self Enhancement, located just one mile away.

Two additional Alberta Alive projects are in the pipeline: the 75-unit Strong Family Apartments and the Alberta Alive Townhomes, which will provide eight Black households the opportunity for homeownership. Both projects are expected to break ground later this year.

The Millner was made possible through a combination of funding sources, including $9.2 million from the Metro Regional Affordable Housing Bond and $14.7 million from Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits, with equity investment from R4 Capital. Other sources include a Transit Oriented Development Grant from Metro. The development team for The Millner included Carleton Hart Architecture, LMC Construction and Guardian Management. KeyBank provided construction financing, with Citibank providing permanent financing.