Thursday, June 13, Metro joined Washington County and other project partners to celebrate the grand opening of Cedar Rising. This affordable apartment community was the second in Aloha to be completed with funding from Metro’s affordable housing bond, following Heartwood Commons, which opened last spring. The Metro bond paid for about a third of the total development cost. Over 1,470 affordable homes have been built using funds from the voter-approved bond, with 3,200 more on the way.
Cedar Rising brings 31 studio and one-bedroom homes and 50 two- and three-bedroom homes to the Aloha community. Thirty-three apartments are reserved for households with incomes below 30% of the area median income ($33,840 for a household of four), and 48 are for households with incomes at or below 60% AMI ($67,680). Rents range from $555 to $1,706, depending on the number of bedrooms and household income.
Resident amenities at Cedar Rising include a play structure, barbeques and raised garden beds.
Cedar Rising was developed by BRIDGE Housing and designed by Scott Edwards Architecture. On-site services are provided by Hacienda CDC, with a focus on support tailored for members of the Latine and Asian communities, which make up more than a third of Aloha’s population. These services include after-school programs, early childhood education, and assistance with maintaining housing stability.
“With these services Cedar Rising is more than just a place to live; it is a place to learn, grow and thrive,” said Metro Regional Housing Director Patricia Rojas. “Today’s grand opening fills me with joy, knowing people’s lives will get better because of these buildings.”
Metro Regional Housing Director Patricia Rojas (center) joins Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington, Commissioner Pam Treece, and other project partners to celebrate the grand opening of Cedar Rising.
The apartment complex features a courtyard with a community garden, playground and barbecue grills. Grocery stores in the area include Philippine Market, Fruteria El Campesino and Viet & Thai Market. One-Stop urgent care and Kaiser Aloha Dental Care are also nearby. Tualatin Hills Nature Park, Kinnaman Elementary, Mountain View Middle and Aloha High Schools are all within a mile.
Cedar Rising is located one block from the Tualatin Valley Highway, where Metro and regional partners are working to improve public transit options. In recognition of the development’s proximity to this important transportation corridor, the project also received $450,000 in funds from Metro’s transit-oriented development program.
Julie Case has lived at Cedar Rising since January, 2024.
Resident Julie Case – who moved into Cedar Rising in January this year – shared her experience in the new apartment community. Julie was living briefly with a friend in Las Vegas while she searched remotely for an affordable apartment in the Aloha area, which she had called home for years. She was excited and relieved when her application to move into Cedar Rising was accepted. This meant she could return to her home community and live on her own again. Julie’s daughter and granddaughter live nearby and visit often.
In addition to being close to family, “one of the best things about living here is the sense of community and the neighbors,” she said. “From day one, everyone I’ve met has been so warm and friendly. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by such kind people, including staff.”