Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Secures New Markets Tax Credits for Garlington Campus

One Step Closer to New Innovative Integrated Health Care Center in Eliot Neighborhood

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 17, 2017 

 

PORTLAND, OR – March 17, 2017 A center offering innovative, integrated health care and affordable housing for low income community members is one step closer with the securing of $4.5M in New Markets Tax Credits. This $28M capital redevelopment project is funded in part by a combination of tax credits along with public and private grant and philanthropic support.

The investment – a partnership with National Community Fund, a Community Development Entity affiliated with United Fund Advisors – will enable Cascadia to deliver integrated care to some of Portland most vulnerable community members.

“We are striving to create a valued space where being mindful and treating the whole body is easy and accessible for our community,” said Dr. Derald Walker, President and CEO, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare. “Securing this level of funding is key to our capital redevelopment plans of the Garlington Center.” Due to open spring 2018, the new Garlington campus will provide integrated mental health and addiction recovery services, primary care, neighborhood wellness programs, and affordable housing for individuals of all ages, including:

• 52-unit apartment building for low income, qualifying individuals (a portion set aside for each: peoplewith incomes at or below area median income (<60%AMI), people with a serious mental illness andhomeless veterans).
• Mental health and addiction services, integrated with a medical team on site, providing collaborativehealth opportunities, especially for those experiencing chronic conditions such as diabetes orhypertension.
• Wellness programs and resources accessible to residents, clients and to the greater community such asa garden space, meeting rooms and health and wellness education.Cascadia’s new Garlington campus (nearly 1.5 acres) is located in the Eliot Neighborhood, the heart of the historic Albina District, at 3034 NE Martin Luther King, Jr, Blvd in NE Portland. The Garlington Center is named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. John W. Garlington, Jr, a prominent leader and advocate for the African American community in Portland during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“Once completed, Cascadia’s new Garlington Center will provide access to affordable housing and integrated healthcare for those who need it the most. Thanks to funding from the New Markets Tax Credits, this innovative model is one step closer to becoming a reality,” said US Senator Ron Wyden, who is ranking member of the United States Committee on Finance.

“Cascadia’s commitment to improve access to affordable healthcare and housing to benefit community members is exemplified by their plans to open the new Garlington Center. Building healthier, more equitable, and thriving communities is a key funding focus for the New Markets Tax Credits and this support is significant in Cascadia’s efforts,” said US Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), who serves on the Ways and Means Committee and the Subcommittee on Health.
New Markets Tax Credits will provide a net benefit of $4.5M to Cascadia’s plans to establish the new clinic, which has a total project cost of $14M. Cascadia has also undertaken a $3.5M philanthropic capital campaign to support the redevelopment of the Garlington Center. Other sources of support include a $500,000 PRI from Meyer Memorial Trust and low-interest, short-term financing. The adjacent 52-unit affordable housing building has a capital cost of $14M and to date is fully funded with sources including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and county grant support and private grants. Cascadia partnered with Housing Development Center to secure both the New Markets Tax Credits for the clinic and the Low Income Housing Tax Credits for the apartment building.

ABOUT CASCADIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE: Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is a private, not-for-profit whose mission is to provide healing, homes and hope for people living with mental health and addiction challenges. For information on Cascadia’s comprehensive range of innovative clinical and housing support programs, visit: cascadiabhc.org.

ABOUT REV. DR. JOHN W. GARLINGTON: Cascadia’s Garlington Center was dedicated in honor of the late Rev. Dr. John W. Garlington, Jr. (1937-1986) and his wife, Yvonne Garlington, who together had established a compassionate voice for Portland’s African American community. Dr. Garlington was a leader for social justice in the areas of education, employment, community-police relations and ministries to people living in poverty and experiencing homelessness. Cascadia has moved to permanently name the Center in remembrance of the Garlington’s remarkable contributions to the people of Portland.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

VIDEO: Legacy of Rev. Garlington | “A moral force in Oregon” 
HISTORY of Garlington Center
GIVING TO THE CAMPAIGN
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