El Centro Columbia City                                             

El Centro is bringing affordable housing to Columbia City. This is an affordable housing and mixed-use development project consisting of approximately 87 affordable housing units, a child care center, a community room, and new homes for the existing Church of Hope and the non-profit Consejo Counseling & Referral Service. Through collaboration with artists, Latinx heritage is celebrated throughout the central courtyard design and building exterior including tile work and murals. The artistic elements are integrated into the playground design as well, which services El Centro de la Raza’s childcare program. The project incorporates sustainable design strategies including low-maintenance, drought tolerant plantings, and natural drainage systems.

As an organization grounded in the Latino community of Washington State, it is the mission of El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) to build the Beloved Community through unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity, and equity to all the peoples of the world.