Three years after passing a $256 million housing bond, city officials in Portland, Oregon, report that over 1,400 units of affordable housing will result from planned and completed projects.
Officials in Portland, Oregon, recently announced six new affordable housing projects that will be funded through the housing bond that voters approved in 2016. "Mayor Ted Wheeler hailed the progress as having exceeded the goals laid out to voters when the bond was first approved nearly three years ago — and another $45 million remains available for future projects," writes Elliot Njus.
The city has shifted its strategy in that time as well, writes Njus. "Rather than building or buying its own buildings to operate as public housing and carrying full freight, Portland is now helping fund projects by private developers, many of which brought other funding to the table."
The city is also focusing more on new construction projects rather than purchasing and converting buildings to affordable housing. In addition, working with private affordable housing developers has allowed the Portland Housing Bureau to provide funding to a number of projects that were facing significant funding gaps, and this funding will allow the projects to move along more quickly, notes Njus.
FULL STORY: With new projects, Portland declares it’s on track to meet housing bond’s goals
This Start-Up Takes (Some) of the Hassle Out of Renting
Entrepreneur Tyrone Poole's Oregon start-up matches prospective tenants with rental units they qualify for, eliminating legwork and application fees.
Portland, Sacramento Propose Banning Camping Citywide
Both West Coast cities are preparing to criminalize sleeping on public streets, claiming new shelter beds will provide enough resources for their unhoused populations.
The Long Road to Portland's Historic Residential Infill Project
How the journey of one zoning reform campaign can inform future efforts.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.
Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path
Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service