City Council votes unanimously to rezone select properties to support affordable housing production

Portland, Ore.- On Wednesday morning, Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project. This project amends the zoning map for 19 sites - all owned by nonprofit partners and public agencies - to unlock future opportunities to expand affordable housing and community services.

"The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project addresses a clear problem," said Councilor Candace Avalos. "Nonprofit and public housing providers already own land intended for affordable housing, but existing zoning creates unnecessary barriers and delays."

The project acknowledges the unique role that nonprofits and public agencies play in affordable housing production and preservation. Project staff worked collaboratively with nonprofit and public partners to initiate zoning map amendments on sites that are slated for the construction of new or preservation of existing affordable housing.

One of the project's partners - Habitat for Humanity - has plans to develop 16 affordable family-sized homes in the Cully Neighborhood. "We partner with Proud Ground and use a community land trust model - that's how we preserve these homes as permanently affordable," said Leigh Armstrong, a project manager with Habitat for Humanity.

Armstrong appreciates the project's efforts to reduce zoning barriers for developing the site. "The zoning map changes allow us to avoid going through a lengthy and uncertain and expensive land use process and get to construction faster," she said.

About the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project

The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project implements one of 35 actions identified in Portland's Housing Production Strategy and is part of the City's ongoing efforts to address housing affordability and supply challenges. To learn more about this project and resources for affordable housing development, visit the project's website.

About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) oversees long range land use planning, manages a world-renowned waste and recycling system, and leads the country in its commitment to digital equity, open data, and protecting communities in the application of technologies. Staff collaborate with partners and the community and provide research, policy, and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as policies and actions to address climate change. The bureau also oversees the innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is one of several bureaus and programs in the Community and Economic Development service area. This service area creates and delivers efficient, transparent, and equitable solutions for a resilient built environment - as well as services, resources, and experiences for our community. This work is accomplished by aligning City programs focused on building prosperity for all Portlanders.