College Housing Northwest: Housing for Students in Need
- Nicholas Edwards
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
Three years ago, my husband and I were living in a Walmart parking lot. We were grateful for the simple ability to wash our hands and use a restroom. Two years ago, we lived in an RV with no working toilet. We survived on simple meals because we did not have a kitchen.
A year ago, we packed everything we owned into a car after selling the RV and moved to Portland. And today, we are full-time students living in a two-bedroom apartment with our large dog, thanks to College Housing Northwest (CHNW).
Student homelessness is common in the Portland area. A 2023 study by Portland State University (PSU) found that up to 16% of students had recently experienced homelessness. Housing insecurity affected as many as 47% of students over the past five years. To address this, Mt. Hood Community College partnered with CHNW, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable student housing. The goal was to create a solution that offers accessibility, stability, and dignity.
In fall 2024, CHNW opened Abigail Court, a transformed motel just minutes from MHCC’s Gresham campus. It has 75 studio apartments. Initially, half of the units were fully subsidized through CHNW, and others were reduced at student rates – but funding reductions have since eliminated those subsidies, made available through CHNW’s Affordable Rents for College Students (ARCS) program.
Even so, the units offer a welcome option: For student applicants, CHNW requires only that residents take at least six college credits per term. There is no income verification, no guarantors, and no rental history needed. This makes Abigail Court a first-time-renter-friendly option for students at risk of housing insecurity.
Residents pay all-inclusive rent, which covers utilities. The building includes study lounges, a fitness center, a courtyard, and controlled access. Abigail Court is a 10-minute drive from the Gresham Mt. Hood campus and is near downtown Gresham’s shops, transit, and parks.
Abigail Court is a cost-effective approach to student housing. Funded through Oregon’s Project Turnkey and private fundraising, CHNW repurposed a motel into 75 studio apartments at about $112,000 per unit. This is far below the cost of new construction. The property leased out immediately. Many students benefit from fully subsidized rents. By repurposing existing buildings and collaborating with partners, CHNW creates housing that transforms students’ lives.
Abigail Court does not always have units available. Students can check with CHNW for the next available openings or explore other nearby properties. At CHNW’s other locations, studios and one-bedroom apartments typically range from about $1,050 to $1,300 per month.
All told, the nonprofit effort helps remove the barriers that often prevent students from securing stable housing. For students like myself, CHNW offers more than a place to live. It provides a chance to succeed.
Beyond Gresham, CHNW offers student housing across Portland that may appeal to commuters. In the Goose Hollow district near downtown Portland, Goose Hollow Tower & Plaza is a few minutes’ walk from Portland State University (PSU). Nearby, The Amy is also within walking distance of PSU. The 601 lies off Northeast Glisan Street near 162nd Avenue, halfway between MHCC and the PCC Southeast campus. In Southwest Portland, Curry Court provides access to the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and the Marquam Hill area. The Acqua offers riverside living in the South Waterfront, within walking distance of the OHSU Tram and close to PSU. Connery Place is in Southeast Portland, a short distance from the PCC Southeast campus.
These properties reflect CHNW’s commitment to supporting students throughout the Portland metro area. For MHCC students facing housing uncertainty, they offer more than a place to live: They provide opportunity and a foundation for academic and personal success.
With recent legislation sharply reducing funding for the ARCS program, donations that would help students in need are gladly welcome. See: https://chnw.org/arcs/
Abigail Court Contact
(503) 489-5224
1060 NE Cleveland Ave.
Gresham, OR 97030
CHNW Contact
(503)-345-1400
707 SW Washington St
Suite 1400
Portlamd, OR 97205
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