HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

People, place, and belonging

A bottom-up approach for Community and Housing Equity

Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) Housing Development’s mission is to empower historically underserved families and youth by intentionally providing culturally specific support through holistic housing development and wrap-around services.

Gordly Burch House - rendering from the street

Northeast PLACE PROJECT

SEI launches its North East Place Project, a community-led vision to rebuild rooted, resilient neighborhoods through place-making, housing, and youth-centered empowerment. It starts with four cornerstone projects—Mississippi Place, Gordly Burch House, Garfield Cultural Hub, and NE 13th Community—each anchoring a future of collective growth and belonging. Together, these sites form the foundation of a long-term vision to restore community, reclaim culture, and create opportunities where families can thrive for generations.

Paul and Geneva Knauls Building Alberta Alive

Alberta Alive

Alberta Alive is a multi-site affordable housing initiative in Portland’s historically Black neighborhoods, developed by SEI and Community Development Partners. It offers culturally responsive housing for low-income families and veterans, addressing the legacy of displacement. Key sites include the Ronnie Herndon, Paul & Geneva Knauls, and Dr. Darrell Millner Buildings, prioritizing residents with deep community roots through the city’s N/NE Preference Policy.

Public community space in an Alberta Alive housing building

Resident Services

SEI’s Resident Services program provides culturally responsive, wrap-around support for residents in its affordable housing communities. This initiative is part of SEI’s broader mission to empower historically underserved families and youth, particularly in North and Northeast Portland.​ SEI will now offer Culturally Specific Resident Services to other projects and developers across the Portland Metro Region.

SEI’S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT

Rebuilding and reimagining Portland’s community by anchoring neighborhoods in their unique heritage while fostering opportunities for the future.