Terrace Glen residents present 'Community Voices' photo project to Washington County Housing Authority

At the Jan. 7 meeting of the Washington County Housing Authority Board of Directors, staff and nonprofit partners presented a photo-and-writing project created by residents of Terrace Glen, a Metro‑bond funded affordable housing community in Tigard.

The presentation, delivered by Bieneth Valdez of Washington County Housing Services and Laura Spiedel, executive director of Engage Northwest, described a six‑session summer workshop in which nine Terrace Glen residents used 35‑millimeter film cameras, group discussion and written reflection to explore "the meaning of home." The board was invited to view the residents' photographs and writings at an exhibit in the Washington County Public Services Building from Jan. 15 through Feb. 14.

The project team described Terrace Glen as a 14‑unit affordable housing development completed in spring 2023; partners on the site include Related Northwest (developer), Quantum Residential (property manager), C2KS (architect), Walsh Construction (general contractor), Engage Northwest and Home Plate Youth Services. Staff said three units at the property are designated permanent supportive housing for homeless youth.

Laura Spiedel of Engage Northwest said the class "started with black and white photography and then moved into color photography," and that participants kept the film cameras at the end of the program. Spiedel said the workshop included participants ranging from an 8‑year‑old to older adults, and that several residents are first‑ or second‑generation immigrants from Afghanistan, Puerto Rico and Mexico. "The class was much more than just taking pictures," Spiedel told the board; "it was discussing things like their childhood homes and their families and how they were raised."

Valdez read writing by a participant who could not attend, Jasmine Warner. Warner's reflection included: "Dreams do come true. . . . The progression of my photos from black and white to color reflects my journey of feeling at home here in Oregon." Other participants' short writings, read at the meeting, described how shared meals, drawings and conversations helped build community among neighbors at Terrace Glen.

Directors on the Housing Authority praised the program as an example of enrichment programming that supports resident wellbeing. Board members encouraged the public to visit the free exhibit; staff said the photos and writings will be on display in the Public Services Building lobby Jan. 15–Feb. 14 during regular hours.

The Housing Authority also approved the consent agenda (minutes from the Dec. 3, 2024 meeting) by unanimous vote at the start of its Jan. 7 session.

The presentation materials and the exhibit are posted or available through Washington County Housing Services and Engage Northwest; questions about visiting the exhibit were directed to County staff.