Published on djcoregon.com
A Daily Journal of Commerce report on the groundbreaking of the El Nido affordable housing project in Lake Oswego highlights Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West as a central voice advocating for equitable access to housing across the region. At the ceremony, where local leaders and industry partners gathered to launch the 55-unit development, West emphasized that affordable housing should not be concentrated in only a few communities. “Affordable housing sites should be distributed throughout the county,” he said — a message that resonated in one of Oregon’s most exclusive and historically resistant suburban markets.
The article outlines how El Nido — funded through Metro’s regional housing bond — represents Lake Oswego’s second major affordable project in recent years. West’s remarks underscore a broader philosophy he has championed: that every community, regardless of income level, should share in the responsibility of ensuring families, workers, and vulnerable residents have stable, attainable housing. His presence at the event reflects both Clackamas County’s support for this principle and his commitment to transparent, regional cooperation.
Developed by Hacienda CDC after successfully overturning outdated zoning restrictions, the project is positioned as a long-term investment in community stability and diversity. With 54 affordable units and 10 units designated for permanent supportive housing, El Nido will provide critical options for residents who might otherwise be priced out of Lake Oswego entirely.
By framing affordable housing as both necessary and fair, West’s comments reinforce his role as a balanced, solutions-oriented leader working to ensure housing opportunities reach every corner of the county — not just the places that have traditionally carried the load.
Content credit to djcoregon.com