Merkley, Wyden Announce $7 Million Heading to Portland for Affordable Housing

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding the City of Portland a total of $7 million in federal funding to support the city's efforts to enhance affordable housing accessibility.

"I hear from Oregonians during my town halls in every corner of our state about how challenges from the housing crisis are leaving many without affordable options or resources," said Merkley. "This federal funding is crucial to creating pathways to more affordable housing in Portland while also boosting the use of sustainable mass timber products that are key to tackling climate chaos. Investments like these that are deeply rooted in Oregon are a win-win to build stronger, healthier communities."

"Housing is a human right, and knocking down unfair roadblocks to providing a home is essential to achieving that right," Wyden said. "This federal housing investment in Portland will build more opportunities for Oregonians to have a home, all while using mass timber as part of a blueprint for fighting the climate crisis. That all adds up to a big win for affordable housing and sustainable development."

Today's funding comes through HUD's Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program, which was established to address critical housing supply needs and to support communities in their efforts to remove barriers to affordable housing.

The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) will use the investment to support 11 projects that address the underproduction of affordable housing in the city, including creating a five-year action plan centered around three main areas:

1. Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement: Update the Analysis of Impediments & Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan (AFFH) and develop community-led housing strategies for three Central City and three East Portland Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.
2. High-Priority Housing Initiatives: Implement a housing bond communication strategy, resolve code conflicts, rezone the Inner East Side for more housing capacity, introduce an affordable housing listing service, and establish a preservation strategy for existing affordable housing.
3. 10-Year Mass Timber Housing Strategy: Establish citywide land banking, innovate financing for affordable housing, and create a mass timber accelerator to support sustainable development.

"When the City of Portland formally adopted its Housing Production Strategy, led by the Community and Economic Development Service Area, we identified 35 actions needed to address the resilience of our affordable housing supply," said Portland Deputy City Administrator for Community and Economic Development Donnie Oliveira. "Thank you to the Biden Administration and our Congressional delegation for helping us to put that strategy into action, further Portland's housing production goals, and lead with equity and inclusion."

"From delving into mass timber construction, to expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, to creating a regional land bank, this award supports our vision for a livable city; helping Portland grow into a truly sustainable, resilient and affordable city for everyone," said Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi A. Hisserich. "I am exceedingly proud and grateful to the Biden Administration, and to our Members of Congress, that our bureau has been afforded this opportunity." 

###