C Street Co-op
A scalable model for developing resident-owned, infill housing on typical residential lots, permanently affordable to people with low-incomes.
Location: 1075 C St, Springfield, Oregon
Type: Limited Equity Co-op
Size: 6 one-bedroom suites on 0.1 acres
Status: Open since 2021
Carrying Charge: $825/month
Permanently Affordable for: 80% area median income or under
Project Background
As we face our nation’s housing crisis, cities are struggling to accommodate a growing population in neighborhoods zoned exclusively for low-density, single-family housing—which comprises roughly two-thirds of the existing housing stock here in Oregon. The C Street Co-op addresses Oregon’s housing crisis by reimagining residential neighborhoods as inclusive, multi-occupant communities. This vision is supported by historic legsliation: Oregon recently became the first state to ban single-family zoning, requiring cities to allow for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses on any lots that allow for deatached single-family housing. To build on this momentum, Cultivate and SquareOne have teamed up to develop a pilot project in Springfield, known as the C Street Co-op
The Revillaging Project reimagines our neighborhoods as vibrant communities capable of supporting a diversity of housing types, affordable to a broader mix of people. This collaboration between Cultivate and SquareOne Villages puts forth a scalable model for compact, resident-owned, infill housing on typical residential lots, permanently affordable to people with low-incomes.
$602,442
Total Project Cost
$100,000
Cost per Unit
$60,000
Total Resident Equity
Ownership Model
The C Street Co-op opened in September 2021, and became the first housing in Oregon to combine a Limited Equity Co-op with a Community Land Trust. The residents collectively own the housing as part of the limited-equity co-op, and SquareOne retains ownership of the land. This helps assure affordability for generations to come, while providing control and stability to the residents
Finance Model
The total development cost was approximately $100,000 per suite, with just $20,000 in subsidy. Project financing included a $440,000 construction loan from social investors, while SOV secured grants and subsidies (a down payment assistance program from the City of Springfield and a temporary property tax exemption) to ensure affordability for households earning up to 60% of the area median income.
In the News
Housing & Site Design
The development includes six one-bedroom, energy-efficient suites across two dwellings: a shared single-family home with four suites and an accessory dwelling unit with two suites. Each 384 sq. ft. suite includes private access, a bathroom, and kitchenette, offering stable, affordable housing for economically vulnerable individuals. The development site enjoys a walkable location, just a few minutes from downtown Springfield. Due to the small-footprint homes ample greenspace remains available as well as four off-street parking spaces. Area for a future storage shed is planned which can include bicycle parking, household storage, and a garden shed.
With well-insulated 2x8 walls, airtight construction, and triple-pane windows, the homes aim to be "net zero energy ready", with future rooftop solar panels able to generate as much energy as the homes use in a year. This also means very low energy bills. Simple, optimized construction practices keep this affordable. Durability is also a priority: lifetime warranty shingle roofing and fiber-cement siding are anticipated. These details are subject to change based on budgetary constraint.
