Housing Authority unveils Clackamas Heights redevelopment: 99 units to 200, phased relocation planned

The Housing Authority of Clackamas County on June 4 presented a finalized design and timeline to the Oregon City Commission for the Clackamas Heights public housing redevelopment in Park Place, proposing to replace 99 aging units with roughly 200 new, energy-ready homes arranged in cottage clusters and shared green spaces.

Devon Ellen, housing development director for the authority, told commissioners that Clackamas Heights — built in the 1940s and the county’s oldest public housing — lacks basic insulation and foundations in some units and performed poorly during the 2021 ice storms. The authority obtained HUD approval to remove the existing public-housing covenant through a Section 18 disposition and has worked with residents and neighbors on a multi-year redesign.

Project architect Brian Scwalache of Bora Architecture described the plan as a collection of 3- and 4-plex “cottage cluster” buildings arranged around courtyards connected by a pedestrian loop separate from vehicular streets. The design retains many mature trees, adds community gardens, play areas, a sport court and a community building for resident services. Architect Brian said the pedestrian loop is roughly one-third of a mile and the design prioritizes connections to the surrounding single-family neighborhood.

The authority has begun relocation and has moved about 30 percent of residents so far. Ellen said every household offered relocation receives a Section 8 voucher, assistance finding units and help with moving costs and deposits; the authority aims to complete relocation by September before construction starts. The housing authority plans a phased return and will offer existing residents the first opportunity to move back to the redeveloped site.

Timeline and counts presented to the commission: 99 existing units will be replaced by about 200 new units; permit submission is expected in the week following the presentation and construction is targeted to start in November 2025 with the first units coming online in mid-2027.

On sustainability, Ellen said the project will install community‑scale solar to serve building loads (community building and site utilities) and will make individual buildings “solar ready” (conduit and infrastructure installed) so photovoltaics can be added to serve resident loads when funding becomes available. The team forecasts the potential to approach near net‑zero performance depending on future funding.

Commissioners pressed on relocation, deconstruction and re‑use of materials. Ellen said hazardous materials will be abated, and the construction specifications require diversion and recycling of salvageable materials where possible; staff also said contractors will be asked to separate and recycle materials rather than send them to distant landfills. Commissioners and staff discussed preserving part of the nearby Oregon City View Manor site for future affordable ownership options and community park space, noting the neighborhood is park‑deficient.

Commissioners and neighborhood leaders praised the outreach process. Brian and Devon described extensive engagement that included resident advisory committee workshops, listening sessions, open houses and multiple presentations to the Park Place Neighborhood Association. Mayor Denise McGriff and other commissioners thanked the team for the design work and for the engagement with the neighborhood.

No formal vote was required; the presentation asked the commission to receive the update and to continue coordination as design and permitting proceed.