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 Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)