Jamii Court Affordable Housing is featured in the DJC! Last week, we celebrated construction of the 96-unit community in Portland’s West neighborhood which is designed to support East African immigrant and refugee families. “Jamii,” derived from the Swahili language, means “community.”
Jamii Court will offer a mix of unit sizes from studios to four-bedroom homes, including family-sized units and permanent supportive housing for residents transitioning out of homelessness. Thoughtfully designed amenities like community gathering spaces, a lending library, computer stations, and outdoor areas with fruit trees will help foster connection and well-being.
“The Barbur façade is intentionally pulled back from the roadway to create a welcoming entry along this civic corridor and to establish a meaningful frontage. Together, these massing elements create several distinct placemaking spaces across the site: the Barbur‑facing stoop, the north plaza at the connecting knuckle, and the south courtyard, which is tucked between building volumes and protected from Barbur Boulevard traffic.”- Calista Fitzgerald, LRS President
Islamic influences are reflected through elements such as a jali-inspired triangular motif in vertical circulation areas, window bay orientations aligned with the qibla, and a palette of traditional colors such as green, white, blue, and gold woven throughout the complex.
The project is the result of a collaborative partnership between CPAH and social services organization HAKI, who engaged the Southwest Portland Islamic community throughout the development process. Their input directly shaped key aspects of the project, including its name, the design of shared community spaces, and the inclusion of larger units to support multigenerational living.
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