Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park

Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park, located in the heart of Northeast Portland’s vibrant Cully neighborhood, represents a powerful story of community preservation and revitalization in the face of Oregon's escalating housing crisis. This community is no longer a typical investor-owned mobile home park; it is a vital affordable housing resource that was secured and completely transformed by a coalition of non-profit organizations, notably St. Vincent de Paul and Living Cully, with support from the Portland Housing Bureau. The intervention, which occurred after residents faced eviction threats due to a planned sale for redevelopment in 2016, ensured the permanent affordability of the homes.

The park has undergone an extensive, multi-million dollar acquisition and rehabilitation project. As one review simply states, “They rebuild the park. Nice.” This renovation included major infrastructure upgrades and the replacement of many older, energy-inefficient mobile homes with **brand new, energy-efficient manufactured models**. This initiative was a key part of the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Manufactured Home Replacement Pilot program, aiming to reduce energy costs and improve living conditions for low-income residents.

Today, Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park operates as a **low-income rental community**, offering 22 dedicated units that are regulated to be affordable, typically serving residents at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This makes it a crucial resource for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families in Portland who are seeking stable, high-quality housing. The community's focus is on providing a safe, stable, and improved living environment, backed by non-profit management dedicated to the long-term well-being of its residents, rather than profit-driven motives.

It is important for prospective residents to note the operational distinction: as a dedicated low-income rental community, there are specific income qualification requirements and an application process, which may be managed by the on-site manager. While one review mentions difficulty in getting through to management, this is likely related to the specific demands of a highly-sought-after affordable housing resource, and interested parties should continue to use the provided contact information to understand the application timeline and process.

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Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park is strategically located at **4552-4556 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218, USA**, placing it in the heart of Northeast Portland. This specific location in the Cully neighborhood is considered to be one of its greatest benefits, offering residents true urban access.

The community's location provides excellent connectivity for Portland commuters and locals:

• **Walkability and Bikeability:** The neighborhood boasts a high **Bike Score of 95 ("Biker's Paradise")** and a solid **Walk Score of 71 ("Very Walkable")**. This makes daily errands and commuting via bicycle or on foot highly feasible, which is a major advantage in a dense urban setting.
• **Local Green Spaces:** Residents are within a short distance of several beloved Portland parks, offering convenient access to nature and recreation:
  • **Fernhill Park:** Just a 9-minute walk away, offering large open spaces and recreational facilities.
  • **Columbia Slough Watershed Council & Whitaker Ponds Nature Park:** Provides nearby access to natural areas for walking and wildlife observation.
• **Education and Services:** The community is a short drive from several key campuses, including Concordia University-Portland, Portland Community College's Cascade Campus, and Mount Hood Community College's Maywood Park location. Major hospitals like Providence Portland Medical Center are also easily accessible.
• **Transit and Commuting:** While the Transit Score is moderate ("Some Transit"), residents are conveniently located for both car and public transportation access:
  • Quick access to major NE Portland avenues for driving.
  • Proximity to the Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave MAX Station and Transit Center (approximately a 12-minute drive), linking residents to the MAX light rail system for easy access to Downtown Portland, the airport, and other regional centers.
  • Portland International Airport (PDX) is only an 11-minute drive away.

The Cully neighborhood itself is recognized as an up-and-coming, affordable area with a strong sense of community, known for urban farming projects, community gardens, and an eclectic mix of local shops and restaurants, enhancing the quality of life for residents at Oak Leaf.

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Services Offered

As a modern, non-profit owned and managed affordable community, Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park provides comprehensive services that prioritize resident welfare and energy efficiency.

• **Affordable Land Lease/Rental:** The primary service is providing a stabilized, below-market rate for the land/unit rental, specifically targeting households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to ensure long-term affordability.
• **Infrastructure Maintenance:** Comprehensive repair and rehabilitation efforts have ensured all major infrastructural components—including electrical and sewer systems—are fully functional and up to modern standards, removing the burden of dealing with failing, outdated systems common in older parks.
• **Included Utilities:** Unlike many traditional manufactured housing communities in Oregon where the resident pays all utilities, Oak Leaf includes several essential services in the monthly rent:
  • **Water**
  • **Sewer**
  • **Garbage/Refuse Service**
  (Note: Residents are typically responsible for their own electricity usage.)
• **Community Center Services:** The fully renovated park includes a dedicated community center designed to foster neighborhood connection and provide direct resources:
  • **On-site Laundry Facility** (providing a vital service for residents without in-unit machines).
  • **Community Offices** (for management and resident services).
  • **Large Meeting Room** (for gatherings, events, and community activities).
  • **Food Pantry** (offering essential support for low-income residents).
• **Energy Efficiency Programs:** The park is actively involved in energy-saving initiatives, including the use of new, highly efficient manufactured homes and the installation of solar power generation systems on the community center, which helps reduce overall energy costs for the facility.

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Features / Highlights

The key highlights of Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park stem directly from its successful non-profit acquisition and complete modernization, creating a unique and desirable living situation in urban Portland.

• **Newly Rebuilt Community:** The park was completely remodeled in 2019, transitioning from a rundown park of 34 spaces to a modern, stable community with 22 units. This extensive overhaul ensures a high standard of living and long-term viability.
• **Energy-Efficient Homes:** The replacement of aging units with new, certified energy-efficient manufactured homes means residents benefit from significantly lower monthly utility bills, a crucial factor for low-income households (older manufactured homes can spend up to 70% more on energy than site-built homes).
• **Non-Profit Ownership and Preservation:** Being owned and managed by St. Vincent de Paul and supported by Living Cully ensures the park’s mission is focused on affordable housing preservation, shielding residents from displacement due to redevelopment—a major concern for mobile home park residents across Portland.
• **Community Amenities:** The park features focused, practical amenities:
  • **Playground** (a valuable feature for families in this all-ages community).
  • **On-site Laundry Room and Community Center** (enhancing daily convenience and social engagement).
  • **Solar Power Generation** (a commitment to sustainability and energy cost reduction).
• **Cully Neighborhood Charm:** Residents enjoy the distinct culture of the surrounding Cully neighborhood, which is known for its grassroots community focus, commitment to anti-displacement efforts, and access to unique local shops, urban farms, and community activities.
• **Included Core Utilities:** The inclusion of water, sewer, and garbage in the rent provides cost certainty and simplifies monthly budgeting for residents.

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Contact Information

Due to the specific nature of this being an income-restricted rental community, direct contact with the on-site management is essential for current availability and application information.

**Address:** 4552-4556 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218, USA

**On-site Manager Phone (Joseph Renteria):** 971-710-8813

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What is Worth Choosing

Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park is an exceptional choice for Oregon residents specifically seeking **stable, deeply affordable, high-quality rental housing** in the desirable Northeast Portland area. The most compelling reason to choose Oak Leaf is the **security and quality** that comes with non-profit ownership and the recent, extensive $5 million-plus rehabilitation. The risk of sudden closure or predatory rent hikes, which plagues many mobile home parks, has been eliminated by the park’s designation as a permanently affordable community.

Choosing Oak Leaf means benefiting from a nearly new, modern home with lower energy consumption, while living in a community that includes essential utilities (water, sewer, garbage), a playground, and an on-site community center with a food pantry and laundry facility. For low-income individuals and families who qualify, this community provides a unique opportunity to live in an excellent, walkable, and transit-accessible location in Portland—a critical advantage over other affordable options often situated far outside the city core. This is a community reborn, offering a renewed lease on high-quality, stable urban living.

Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park

4552-4556 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218, USA