hollywoodHUB: Where Affordable Housing Meets Community Life

Portland is watching a shift in the dialogue around housing from simple “adding more homes” to building strong connected communities now and into the future.

That’s exactly what the hollywoodHUB project represents.

Family Access Network (FAN) partnered with BC Group and others to develop this affordable housing project located near the Hollywood Transit Center in Portland. The project brought together public agencies, non-profit developers and private developers to build what will be one of the most impactful affordable housing projects developed in the region.

A Landmark Project in Northeast Portland

The HollywoodHUB is not your typical development. The 12 story project will offer over 220 affordable housing units all located at the doorstep of the Hollywood Transit Center in one of Portland’s most transit accessible neighborhoods.

The size alone of this development is noteworthy: 222 RAI (regulated affordable income) units, plus a couple units of manager housing. It’s one of the largest affordable housing developments in the Portland metropolitan area.

From our unique angle, business just isn’t business anymore. It’s about people, people, people.

More than half of the homes are multi-bedroom family-sized residences, including several two and three bedroom options.

Transit-Oriented Living at Its Core

Location is a vital element in the success of any housing project and the hollywoodHUB has all the ingredients for it to be a model of successful development in this category.

The development is situated on land owned by TriMet and is therefore naturally connected to the community’s greatest asset: Portland’s MAX light rail system and bus network. Residents are just steps away from multiple lines and can easily access their preferred mode of transportation to get to work, school, the doctor, stores, restaurants, entertainment and activities throughout the Portland Metropolitan Region.

This approach to transit-oriented development fosters more livable neighborhoods by creating housing close to transportation options, reducing the need for car travel.

The adjacent neighbourhood is highly suitable for dense mixed use urban redevelopment with proximity to groceries, parks, schools, hospitals and community amenities allowing for the highest quality urban lifestyle with pedestrian accessibility to all daily needs.

Built for Community, Not Just Density

hollywoodHUB is an innovative approach to developing a community by making affordable, safe and secure housing the cornerstone of long-term sustainability. Community spaces, resident services and amenities that foster a sense of community are incorporated into the new development. On-site services will connect residents with resources to help them achieve stability. The new shared play areas, courtyards and meeting rooms will provide opportunities for social interaction and community building.

The design also incorporates energy-efficient building systems such as high-efficiency heating, greatly enhanced insulation with a variety of construction strategies, and sustainable construction practices. These measures provide long-term savings for the facility while meeting energy efficiency goals.

Affordable housing with services and sustainability isn’t just a development concept; rather it’s a philosophy that suggests affordable housing should be more than just a roof over one’s head; it should help support the development of a stable way of life. This is an emerging recognition that in order to foster lasting and healthy habits, affordable housing must go beyond basic needs.

The Role of BC Group

Large-scale project development involves complex coordination among various parties, funding models and regulatory entities.

That’s where BC Group plays a critical role.

BC Group is part of the larger project team that is providing development oversight, project assistance and construction strategy for this important non-profit development effort. BC Group has considerable experience working with multiple non-profit developers, government agencies and mission-driven organizations. The hollywoodHUB project aligns with our experience in development services, particularly in the residential rental sector.

Our approach at BC Group is to synchronize property development from planning right through to the construction phase in order to keep a project on schedule and on budget while achieving long-term goals.

When undertaking an affordable housing project, it’s important not to overlook the potential complexities of the project’s financial structure and critical deadlines.

A Collaborative Effort

hollywoodHUB is a collaborative venture between public and private organizations. The project is being developed by nonprofit housing developer BRIDGE Housing in partnership with a variety of community-based organizations and the transit agency.

The funding comes from a combination of public and private sources to support the work to address the region’s significant housing needs. This model of collaboration is becoming more typical for large-scale affordable housing projects.

With our experience in a range of sectors and our proven ability to bring together teams of consultants, contractors and specialist advisors, we’re well placed to deliver all manner of projects.

Addressing a Growing Need

Portland, like many other West Coast cities, is grappling with numerous housing related issues.

As the cost of land and construction materials continues to rise while supply and demand shrink, it may seem like housing for low and moderate income individuals and families has become a pipe dream, particularly as a growing population puts pressure on already-strained resources. But with every challenged project comes a lesson or formula that can be applied on a larger scale, and the hollywoodHUB pilot proves that even an effort to create affordable housing can be big in impact while remaining compact in size.

HollywoodHUB is unique from most affordable housing because it incorporates easy access to transit, accommodates family unit sizes, and also blends well into the surrounding neighborhood.

Rising house prices are not solely the result of a lack of supply; much housing fails to meet the needs of its occupants.

Looking Ahead

Work is already in full swing for the Hollywood HUB and is slated for completion in early 2027.

This Northeast Portland community project will serve as a symbol of what can happen when effective planning, thoughtful community engagement, and meaningful collaboration come together to create something with purpose.

For BC Group, this project is more than just the construction of a new building. It’s a way for the company to support developments with a longer-term legacy and a positive effect on the community and the growth of cities. hollywoodHUB is more than one project; it’s a roadmap for how future cities can develop and address affordable housing needs. Transit-oriented, environmentally responsible, with community amenities and strong partnerships, it represents a more holistic way to develop property, one that focuses on people, not just profits.

Complex, meaningful projects of this nature require the guidance of a trusted partner, which is where BC Group shines. As more markets look to solutions to the current housing challenges, hollywoodHUB becomes another example of a trend shaping up across the country.

And for Portland, the world gets a little more connected and open.

read the full press release here: https://www.oregonbusinesstoday.com/article/903566892-bc-group-highlights-role-in-transformative-hollywoodhub-affordable-housing-development