Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Units Under Consideration in Portland

The proposed property tax exemption in Portland would be from the "carrot" school of affordable housing incentives.

1 minute read

March 15, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Portland

JPL Designs / Shutterstock

"Portland housing officials have proposed reviving a property tax break for developers who include affordable housing in their projects," reports Eliot Njus.

The policy has been proposed as a response to a glut of housing permits in the pipeline, but filed before the city implemented an inclusionary zoning policy that mandates a certain number of affordable units. There are about 10,000 units in the pipeline ahead of the city's inclusionary zoning policy—and since the policy took effect, permits have dropped off significantly.

"The incentive officials are seeking to bring back provides for a 10-year property tax exemption on all of a development's residential units in exchange for making 20 percent of the units affordable to households making 60 or 80 percent of the median family income," according to Njus.

Portland Commissioner Chloe Eudaly is quoted in the article saying the tax breaks can actually help developers create units, which can they be rented.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in The Oregonian

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

11 minutes ago - CBS News

Red public transit bus in Bangalore, India.

Indian States Give Women Free Bus Passes

The programs are part of an initiative aimed at helping more women join the workforce and improving access to basic needs.

1 hour ago - Next City

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skylinw with stone arched brige in foreground.

Study: How to Revitalize Downtown Minneapolis

A proposal calls for a reevaluation of the city’s skyways, a focus on street-facing businesses, and an improved public realm.

2 hours ago - Minneapolis Post

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.