The Portland Housing Bureau has awarded funding to three new projects with the remaining funds from Portland’s Housing Bond. The new projects join 12 others already open or in progress, bringing the projected total affordable homes produced through the city’s first housing bond to 1,859—housing for an estimated 3,834 people. The announcement kicks off a momentous 2022 for Portland’s Housing Bond, which will also see six new buildings open this year.
Two of the newly announced Portland Housing Bond projects will focus on providing Supportive Housing for chronically homeless Portlanders through partnerships with numerous culturally specific service organizations. These partnerships align with the Portland Bond goals—and the Housing Bureau’s commitments—to advancing racial equity and making a tangible impact on ending homelessness. Additionally, with one of the new projects located in Southwest Portland, the City has also achieved its goal to distribute Bond investments across the city and in areas with little to no affordable housing. A fourth project focusing on providing Supportive Housing is recommended for a Metro Housing Bond award.
“Portland voters spoke in 2016 to demand more affordable housing—today, we are delivering on our commitment to Portlanders who need stable, affordable housing more than ever,” said Housing Commissioner Dan Ryan. “In 2022, 580 new Portland Bond units will open their doors, 160 of which are Supportive Housing units that will be new homes for Portlanders experiencing chronic houselessness and taking their first step toward stability. Thank you to the Portland Housing Bureau, the Joint Office of Homeless Services, Home Forward, the affordable housing developers, and the countless community partners who came together to make this tremendous achievement possible for our neighbors and our community. During a time when we are remembering and honoring Mayor Clark—rest in peace—I know this would make him proud."
In 2016, Portland voters approved Portland’s Housing Bond dedicating $258.4 million in general obligation bonds to the development of 1,300 units of affordable housing for low-income households—including 600 units for households with incomes at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), 650 family-sized units, and 300 units of Supportive Housing.
Project reserves the Housing Bureau had maintained for the 10 Portland Bond projects currently in development were released last October in a solicitation. The Housing Bureau invited past proposers to re-submit proposals for projects located in Southwest Portland or projects with a Supportive Housing focus for those experiencing chronic homelessness. In addition to $53 million in Portland Bond funds for capital construction, the solicitation also included rent assistance support from Home Forward and the Joint Office of Homeless Services, as well as Supportive Housing services funds from Metro's Supportive Housing Services Measure.
These new funding awards will mean the City has well exceeded each individual target for Portland’s Housing Bond, with 774 units serving households at or below 30% AMI, 399 units of Supportive Housing, and 836 family-sized units open or in progress.
“The hundreds of new affordable homes, combined with access to services, are not only going to be life-changing for the people and families who will live there, but they will also strengthen and benefit our entire community,” said Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury. “This is the kind of meaningful progress we can make when we have the resources, commitment and coordination to invest in solutions that will make a difference.”
Additionally, a fourth project, the Alcena, from Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Inc. was selected through the solicitation to receive $11.2M from the Metro Housing Bond and other Housing Bureau funds, pending concept endorsement approval from Metro.
“We are proud to partner with so many community organizations to provide these new affordable housing opportunities and services to help meet the diverse needs of Portlanders at a time when our community needs it most—and especially our Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and People of Color communities, and our neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness,” said Portland Housing Bureau Director Shannon Callahan. “We are thankful for the many partners who came together to make this possible, and to the voters for supporting resources for affordable housing.”
Francis + Clare Place will include 61 units of newly constructed Enhanced Supportive Housing for adult singles and couples experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the Central Eastside’s Buckman neighborhood. All units will be affordable to households with little or no income and be supported by Project-Based Section 8 vouchers. NARA and AfroVillage Movement will provide onsite, culturally specific services and referrals for BIPOC residents, in addition to wrap- around services through Catholic Charities’ Housing Transitions Program. The project’s common areas and amenities will also leverage and complement the adjacent St. Francis Park Apartments and St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
Alder 9 is a 159-unit development located in the Buckman neighborhood targeting seniors, multigenerational and BIPOC households who are disproportionally impacted by homelessness. This project will offer a mix of unit types from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Fifty-three units will serve households earning 30% AMI or below, including 25 integrated permanent supportive housing units supported by Project-Based Section 8 vouchers, and 42 family-sized units. Project amenities include a senior wellness center, art spaces and rooftop terrace. In addition, Centro Cultural will operate an onsite employment and education mobility center to augment the services supporting seniors who still rely on employment.
The Barbur Apartments, located in Southwest Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood on a high- transit corridor, with easy access to schools, grocery stores and other amenities will include 149 newly constructed affordable apartments with a focus on anti-displacement and serving immigrant, refugee, East African and Muslim households, in partnership with several culturally specific agencies such as the Somali American Council of Oregon, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization and Black Parent Initiative. There will be a range of units affordable to households earning between 60% AMI and 30% AMI and below, including 19 family-sized units with Project-Based Section 8 vouchers to support rents. Overall, 59% of the project will serve families, including 16 three-bedroom and 4 four-bedroom apartments, who will have access to community rooms, outdoor courtyards and onsite services and programs.
The Alcena, a new project supported by Metro Bond and other Portland Housing Bureau funds, will bring 75 units of affordable housing to the Boise-Eliot neighborhood. Partnering with St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, PCRI will develop the 6-story building adjacent to the church. The Alcena will contain 19 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, and will be subject to the City's N/NE Preference Policy, which aims to address the harmful impacts of urban renewal by giving preference to applicants with generational ties to North/Northeast Portland. Units will be affordable to those earning 30-60% AMI and under 30% AMI. The PSH portion of the project targets seniors who need supportive housing with culturally specific services provided by Northwest Pilot Project and PCRI. The location is highly walkable, across the street from the Matt Dishman Community Center and next door to the Albina Branch Library, with easy access to transit, groceries, and more. On-site amenities will include a rooftop terrace, accessible patios, and light-maximizing design.
Source: Portland Housing Bureau