Case Study: Carson Commons
Carson Commons is an affordable multifamily property home to an intergenerational community. With help from OR-MEP incentives, the property opened in September 2025 with a variety of energy-efficient equipment to ensure long-term durability and affordable utility bills for residents.
Projects like Polk Community Development Corporation’s Carson Commons don’t appear out of thin air. They take a lot of planning, care, research, and collaboration to go from an idea on a drawing board to reality. Carson Commons opened its doors in September 2025 as a 20-unit affordable multifamily housing property home to a multigenerational community that reaps the benefits of modern, efficient, and affordable living.
The Carson Commons story began in 2021, when the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency came to Polk Community Development Corporation (Polk CDC) hoping to find a partner for a housing project that would serve young adults moving from supervised youth housing, aging out of foster care, or who have experienced homelessness. The mission spoke to Kimberly Lyell, Polk CDC’s Director of Operations, who set off to kickstart the project to serve people of all ages with low incomes.
Lyell and team explored every funding opportunity we could find to make the project financially viable. Driven by her passion for sustainability, Lyell, working with Alpine Development Collaborative (formerly GS&A), jumped at the chance to apply for Oregon Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP) incentives to incorporate energy efficiency into the Carson Commons design. OR-MEP selected the project for funding during OR-MEP Open Enrollment 2024 Round 2.
Polk CDC used OR-MEP incentives to help fund design choices that will make the building last as long as possible. “We have always prided ourselves on making sure we use the best materials within budget to improve energy efficiency and durability,” Lyell said. “Having additional funding sources such as OR-MEP allows us to implement even higher-quality, longer-lasting energy efficiencies in our new buildings.”
Lyell sees the big picture when it comes to how energy efficiency impacts residents. “Energy-efficient buildings help renters by lowering utility bills, keeping homes more comfortable year-round, and improving indoor air quality,” she said. “Plus, upgrades like better insulation and modern heating and cooling systems make apartments quieter, healthier, more comfortable, and more affordable to live in.”
“The OR-MEP application is the most user-friendly application I’ve come across,” Lyell said. “The OR-MEP team is incredibly helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable.”
Named after Letitia Carson, the first Black woman to legally own land in Oregon, Carson Commons is a healing, supportive home that provides a sense of independence to its residents. To honor Carson, a pioneer whose perseverance and determination continue to inspire, Polk CDC and the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency will connect residents to jobs, education, and healthcare resources tailored to individual needs. Oregon Black Pioneers, the state’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans, authored and contributed to the permanent exhibit depicting Carson’s story near the building’s entrance.
While pulling together funding sources for projects can take a lot of time, Lyell believes it’s always worthwhile to look into your options. Her experience working with OR-MEP is one she’d repeat. The OR-MEP application is the most user-friendly application I’ve come across,” Lyell said. “The OR-MEP team is incredibly helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable.”
Measure Summary
Windows
Wall Insulation
Ductless Heat
Pumps
ENERGY STAR®
Refrigerators
ENERGY STAR®
Dishwashers
