Portland Value Inn Is Renamed Jamii Court

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) in partnership with HAKI Community Organization and the Urban League of Portland renames this community Jamii Court. The redevelopment is located at 10450 SW Barbur Boulevard near Markham Elementary School, the Multnomah County Capitol Hill Library, and Holly Farm Park. CPAH will create 77 new affordable housing homes for families, and those exiting long-term homelessness. Additionally, 39 units will be deeply affordable for households who make 30% of the area median income (AMI) or below, and 15 units will be Supportive Housing.

CPAH held a series of engagement events with community members to generate names for the redevelopment. During these focus groups, members also had an opportunity to vote; the word “Jamii,” comes from the Swahili language which translates to “community.”

HAKI will be providing ongoing site-based resident services and leading outreach efforts. HAKI is a community organization for East African immigrants and was created in 2018 to be a resource for education, advocacy, and empowerment. The Urban League of Portland will also provide culturally specific services and case management for families in the 15 Supportive Housing units.

“We are so excited that CPAH authentically engaged with local East African immigrant and refugee neighbors to brainstorm names for this new housing project,” said Mohamed Bahamadi, HAKI’s founder.

“Jamii means community and togetherness in Swahili and is the perfect description of what we envision for the future of this location.”

Construction will begin in late 2024, with an estimated completion date in late 2026.