SEI Breaks Ground on Ruby-Mac Place Affordable Housing in Portland

Thirty-one families will soon have keys to homes built specifically for them in Northeast Portland. Self Enhancement, Inc. broke ground on Ruby-Mac Place in the East Columbia neighborhood, portland.gov reported. The development will offer 3- and 4-bedroom affordable homes for purchase across a 6.5-acre parcel, with a mix of detached homes, duplexes, and townhomes surrounded by ample green space.

$5 Million for Solar, $1.5 Million for Housing

The project carries a $5 million award from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, money earmarked for rooftop solar arrays on every home, making them net-zero ready. That investment sits alongside $1.5 million in Portland Housing Bureau funds approved by City Council in spring 2026. Together, the funding streams aim to lower long-term costs for buyers while keeping the homes permanently affordable through a Community Land Trust model—an arrangement that also lets homeowners build equity over time.

Homes Adapt for Accessibility and Community

Designed by Propel Studio with Colas Construction serving as general contractor, Ruby-Mac Place is tailored for families with children and multi-generational households. Every home will feature front porches or terraces, and all units are designed to be visitable by people of all mobility levels. Residents will also have direct access to SEI’s network of youth and family programs, extending the support beyond the front door.

31 Units in Phase One, 12 More Planned

The Community Land Trust structure means the land stays in trust, keeping resale prices within reach for future buyers while still allowing current owners to accumulate wealth through homeownership—a balance that has become increasingly difficult to strike in Portland’s housing market. The first phase delivers 31 units, and a second phase is already planned to add 12 more homes, though no city funding has been allocated for that expansion yet.

The solar arrays alone are expected to reduce utility costs for residents from day one, while the CLT model ensures the homes remain affordable for the next generation of buyers rather than entering the speculative market.

Construction is now underway, with the first residents expected to move into homes that blend accessibility, sustainability, and long-term financial stability.

Worth a look