The real estate firm will provide property management services, lead asset management and serve as developer for future properties.

Catholic Charities of Oregon, the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in Oregon, and Guardian, a leading real estate management, development and investment firm, have partnered to create a new model for developing and managing the charity’s affordable housing portfolio.

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Chiles House in Southeast Portland is one of the communities in Catholic Charities of Oregon's portfolio of more than 1,000 affordable apartment homes. (Photo: Business Wire)

Within the new model, Guardian will take on the responsibility of day-to-day property management for residents, provide asset management services and serve as a development partner to support new development and housing preservation work. The full-service system is intended to create efficiencies and provide an improved quality of life for residents, while also focusing on the financial health of the program.

"Catholic Charities began developing affordable housing across the state so families and individuals could have a safe place to live, a foundation for self-sufficiency and a home base from which to thrive,” said John Tamminga, Vice President of Community Development and Housing for Catholic Charities of Oregon. “This new model, in partnership with Guardian, will help us fulfill our mission to serve Oregon’s most vulnerable by having properties better maintained and, ultimately, to build more affordable housing.” Catholic Charities provides many social services to residents of its properties.

This is the first time this new, three-pronged approach has been implemented by a nonprofit affordable housing organization in Oregon. All of Oregon’s non-profit affordable housing groups are facing what Catholic Charities faced: finding ample funds for development; and managing and owning properties. This partnership could serve as a roadmap for other nonprofits to ensure sustained financial stability and improved conditions for residents.

"We look forward to charting a new course with Catholic Charities, one that will ensure the long-term economic viability of their affordable housing program,” said Tom Brenneke, president of Guardian. “We believe this will have a demonstrable impact on the lives of residents and serve as a model for how private companies can help nonprofit owners lead in the affordable housing industry.”

About Guardian

Guardian is a developer, owner, and operator of multifamily properties, providing innovative real estate solutions dedicated to community and housing for all. Based in the Pacific Northwest, our customer-focused team is committed to supporting and lifting the communities we serve. Since 2002, Guardian has developed or acquired 11,000 multifamily units and 350,000 square feet of commercial space. With more than 400 team members, our management portfolio consists of 125 communities across four states. For more information, visit gres.com.

About Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of Oregon, founded amid the Great Depression in 1933, works in partnership with clients to establish housing stability, income stability, physical wellbeing, emotional resilience and community connection. We settle refugees and migrants, reach people experiencing homelessness, develop affordable housing and provide social services that help people stay housed.

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