Bybee Lakes as it looks before expansion
$1.2 MILLION DOLLAR GIFT PROVIDES WAY TO EXPANSION FOR BYBEE LAKE HOPE CENTER
Bybee Lakes Hope Center will soon go from 126 available beds to 318 available beds, thanks to a $1.2 million gift from the United Way of Columbia Willamette, to fund the expansion. The money comes from a $20 million gift United Way received from McKenzie Scott.
Cindy Adams, CEO of United Way, hopes that United Way’s support of the Bybee Lakes Hope Center will more than double the number of individuals who can transition from houselessness to having a sustainable living environment. She recently joined the board of the Bybee Lakes Hope Center. The goal is to get individuals and families alike into a more stable housing situation that will lead to their transitioning into permanent housing.
Las Adelitas, Artist’s Rendering
REPORTSFROM ALLIANCE MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS
A HOME FOR EVERYONE COORDINATING BOARD MEETING 9/1/21
REPORT FROM SARAH CAROLUS
Background In 2014, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Home Forward and the City of Gresham joined others in creating A Home for Everyone (AHFE) with the intent to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing homelessness in Multnomah County. The Coordinating Board is made up of appointed community members and leaders from non‐profits, health, education, public safety, business, and government sectors. Together, they set priorities and make recommendations of policies and spending. The abbreviation JOHS refers to the Joint Office of Homeless Services, PHB refers to the Portland Housing Bureau and CoC refers to the Continuum of Care program, which is the federal term for programs receiving funding annually from the US Department of Housing and Development (HUD).
The Board co-chairs, Stacy Borke of Transition Projects and Mercedes Elizalde of Central City Concern welcomed the group and roll call was taken.
Public Comment Benjamin from Sisters of the Road reminded the Board about City Council’s upcoming hearings and voting on the renewal of the Clean and Safe Contract later this month. He recommended that all look at the City Audit report which points out faults of the program and reminded everyone that those with lived experience in homelessness had not been part of the conversation.
Upcoming Training There will be an Interrupting Microaggressions Training for the Board on 9/16. The last training was 2 years ago. There have been some revisions to the training and some Board members are new and haven’t had the training at all.
HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Vote There is a new HMIS and the issue of this vote is whether to give JOHS the authority to be the Tri-County administrator of the system. An objection was raised that the AHFE Coordinating Board should not be voting on this issue because it would create a conflict of interest; members of the Coordinating Board’s nonprofits might be applying for CoC funding. Points supporting the vote were 1)Federal law requires that the Coordinating Board approve of the administrator of HMIS and also that some members of the Board be service providers that might get funding 2)the system is a data collection and no financial interest is involved with the system 3) service providers are the ones who collect the data and use that information to create policy for their actions. The vote was taken and JOHS will be the administrator.
Explanation of HUD’s release of the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) 9/18/21 for CoC programs. A nonprofit Homebase offered explanations; they will be supporting the 2021 application process.
· There is both renewal funding and new funding information in this update. Approximately 450 programs will compete for the $2.7 billion funding available this application period.
· New to NOFO is that tribal housing entities are now eligible to apply for funding. Priorities for 2021: impact of COVID, promotion of racial equity, inclusion in local planning of people with lived experience in homelessness and partnerships of housing, health and service agencies.
· CoC offers bonuses for new projects: housing units funded with sources other than HUD alone, healthcare provided and bundled into other service applications. Bonus points are again given for domestic violence programs.
· All project applications must be submitted to CoC who in turn must notify all applications if their projects are accepted and what their rank is, if they are rejected or if they are reduced. The final submission deadline is 11/16.
· There is a complicated 2 tier system of awarding projects by ranking points given to the projects. There are multiple components – transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing and permanent housing and multiple different ways to get points.
AHFE – Local Context of Federal NOFO Process
· The Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) decides on the ranking and rating criteria, approves the final list to be submitted to HUD, determines the reallocation of CoC funds, and develops local priorities for bonus projects.
· The RAC chartered in 2015 to advise the Coordinating Board is made up of 8 “non-conflicted” Board members. It is reauthorized annually & happened at the 6/2/21 meeting.
· Local bonus point priorities are given to projects that 1) address communities of color in the houseless population 2) addresses housing needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ people of color 3) have a strong commitment to racial equity 4)offer culturally responsive/culturally specific services 4) supports community’s system performance measures.
· To date, actions taken are - recruitment and orientation of new members, criteria established for ranking and rating, local bonus priorities were formed.
· JOHS is offering training for renewal projects and collection and distribution of data.
· Projects must be to RAC by 10/8 of both renewal and new project applications. Applicants are notified of ranking and rating by 11/1 and the complete collective local CoC application is sent to HUD by JOHS on 11/12.
Submitted by Sarah Carolus 9/6/21
May 2021
INTERFAITH ALLIANCE ON POVERTY CONTACTS:
GOOD WEBSITES TO VISIT AND POSSIBLE SPEAKERS FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAL EVENTS ABOUT HOUSING AND POVERTY.
What are current goals of increasing low-income housing/reducing homelessness in Portland? Where do the funds come from for this effort? What government agency (or agencies) is responsible for making this happen? Are there percentages allocated for various populations?
Portland City Bond Measure of $258.4 million passed by voters in 2016. The goal is to create 1300 units of affordable housing. 650 of those units are for faAmilies, 600 units for those making less than 30% of the AMI* and 300 units for having PSB**. The measure is managed by Portland Housing Bureau.
Metro Bond Measure of $652.8 million passed by voters in 2018 to create affordable housing in the 3 Metro Counties. Portland‘s share of the funding is $211 million. Their production goal is 1,475 units with 605 of them for those making less than 30% AMI*, 737 units that are family sized and 300 units with PSH**. The City of Portland’s funding is managed by Portland Housing Bureau. Metro gave $23 million of these Bond funds to Home Forward to develop 160 units in Portland. Of those units, 80 will be family sized and 66 will be for the 30% AMI* population.
N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy is a program started in 2014 and run by the Portland Housing Bureau to address displacement and gentrification in North and Northeast Portland, particularly in the African American population. A Preference Policy point system was created to give residents with generational ties to the area priority in affordable housing in that area. Funds come from the Portland Housing Bureau, Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal funds, Metro Bond money and recently with Federal CARES funds. Some funds are used to create affordable rental housing; others are used for home repair loans and grants, down payment assistance & creating low income home ownership units.
City Inclusionary Housing Program implemented in 2017 requires all private residential buildings with 20 or more units to create a percentage of those units to be rented to a population earning 80% or less of the AMI*. Currently there are 1120 new housing units in 121 projects that have been permitted. The program is run by the Portland Housing Bureau
Multiple individual projects are funded by the Portland Housing Bureau which provides rehabilitation, renovation or new construction funds to various properties. Some properties are developed by Prosper Portland, owned by Home Forward (the Federal Section 8 housing authority) or developed by various non-profits. The above owners and developers, by creating low income affordable housing, are eligible to use Oregon State Low Income Housing Tax Exemptions to help with funding. Some of the nonprofits/low income housing developers are Human Solutions. Central City Concern, Luke-Dorf Inc., Catholic Charities, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Hacienda CDC, NAYA, Northwest Housing Alternatives, REACH CDC, Innovation Housing, Inc., PCRI, St. Vincent De Paul, Bridge Housing, Palindrome Developers, and ROSE CDC.
Federal CARES money was sent to the City of Portland as a response to COVID-19 in 2020. The Housing Bureau, Joint Office of Homeless Services, Multnomah County Human Services and Home Forward came together to give $25 million rent assistance. $6.75 million of City CARES Act funds was also given to community organizations serving BIPOC communities for rental assistance. CARES financial assistance was given for home repairs through the N/NE Preference Policy. 230 homeowners were helped with delinquent mortgage payments. The CARES Act increased increase on the Low income Housing Tax credit to help leverage investment money. CARES funds of $20,582,000 was allotted specifically for homeless services. 8 motels were turned into shelters to help keep the most vulnerable safe in the Metro area. 1 of the 8 was purchased in NE Portland for $4.2 million; 6 of the 8 are full time shelters and 2 are voluntary part time isolation spaces. Money was spent on winter necessities, such as sleeping bags & tarps. Street outreach was expanded with meals & water provided. Money was also used to create 3 temporary outdoor tent shelters used during 2020.
Metro Supportive Housing Services Tax Measure passed by voters in May 2020 is a 1% personal tax of income over $125,000 (individual) and $200,000 (joint). Businesses have a 1% income tax of receipts above $5 million. Revenue is collected effective 2021. Funds will be used to provide services to those experiencing homelessness or at risk for it. Each County has their own implementation plan and Multnomah County will pass its revenue to the Joint Office of Homeless Services, which is expected to be $50 million in 2021. Information can be found here https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/supportive-housing-services
What is the current progress on the above programs with specific goals? The programs listed below have specific goals. The other programs help to reduce homelessness, but are not regulated by a particular progress. How long will it take at the current rate to meet this goal? The figures below are from April, 2021.
(Note – these are slow moving programs, with strategies to be framed, communities to be involved, long pre-development processes and finances arranged and actual construction taking time).
Portland City Bond Measure There are 12 housing projects using Bond money. Two projects are completed with 314 units created, 275 of them are family sized, 80 units are for the 30% AMI*, and 20 units have PSH**. The other 10 projects are either new construction or rehab projects. When all 12 are done, there will be 1,491 units available, 628 of them will be for 30% AMI* population, 313 will have PSH**, and 691 of them will be family sized units. 3 projects are currently under construction and the remaining 7 will be started by the Fall of 2021. Information can be found at here https://portlandhousingbond.com/.
Metro Bond Measure has 1 project on Home Forward land with planned construction of 187 units. 2 other projects are in a beginning process with development in the future - 1 with land purchased with Metro Bond funds and a 2nd property owned on City land to be developed and to use the Preference Policy for tenants. There is currently a Bond solicitation with awarding of funds in Fall 2021. Information can be found here https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/affordable-housing-bond-program.
N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy A strategy to prevent displacement by offering home repair loan/grants has helped 778 homeowners. The goal of creating 110 new homeowners by 2022 is partially met with 75 obtained through the Preference Policy; 65 of those were with PHB subsidies/investments. Of the 6 rental properties developed under this program, 4 are fully occupied and 2 others partially leased. Within these properties there are a total of 501 units, 441 which are capped at 50 - 60% AMI* and the remaining 60 units for 30% AMI*. PHB also has bought 3 properties for future development. Information can be found at https://www.portland.gov/phb/nnehousing
Why do we have so little housing?
● In Portland, there has been a considerable loss of affordable housing and single room occupied units because of the increased demand for market rate housing. What was once affordable now has rents increased beyond affordable for many. Populations and neighborhoods have been displaced for creation of higher market rate housing; Portland’s population has grown with a higher income demographic being able to afford higher housing costs. Airbnb’s have been created and replaced rental units.
● The Federal Government has long neglected to adequately fund housing vouchers, causing huge backlogs in applications for Section 8 housing.
● Economic inequality has increased over the years with a larger percentage of the population unable to pay their housing costs. Wages diminished, opportunities to better oneself lessened. The “cost burdened” renters’ numbers have expanded.
*AMI – average median income in Portland
** PSH Permanent Supportive Housing - combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary supportive services to address needs of chronically homeless people.
Housing Bond News, April 2021
What are current goals of increasing low-income housing/reducing homelessness in Portland? Where do the funds come from for this effort? What government agency (or agencies) is responsible for making this happen? Are there percentages allocated for various populations?
Portland City Bond Measure of $258.4 million passed by voters in 2016. The goal is to create 1300 units of affordable housing. 650 of those units are for families, 600 units for those making less than 30% of the AMI (Average Median Income)* and 300 units for having PSH Permanent Supportive Housing)**. The measure is managed by Portland Housing Bureau.
Metro Bond Measure of $652.8 million passed by voters in 2018 to create affordable housing in the 3 Metro Counties. Portland‘s share of the funding is $211 million. Their production goal is 1,475 units with 605 of them for those making less than 30% AMI (Average Median Income)*, 737 units that are family sized and 300 units with PSH**. The City of Portland’s funding is managed by Portland Housing Bureau. Metro gave $23 million of these Bond funds to Home Forward to develop 160 units in Portland. Of those units, 80 will be family sized and 66 will be for the 30% AMI* population.
N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy is a program started in 2014 and run by the Portland Housing Bureau to address displacement and gentrification in North and Northeast Portland, particularly in the African American population. A Preference Policy point system was created to give residents with generational ties to the area priority in affordable housing in that area. Funds come from the Portland Housing Bureau, Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal funds, Metro Bond money and recently with Federal CARES funds. Some funds are used to create affordable rental housing; others are used for home repair loans and grants, down payment assistance & creating low income home ownership units.
Multiple individual projects are funded by the Portland Housing Bureau which provides rehabilitation, renovation or new construction funds to various properties. Some properties are developed by Prosper Portland, owned by Home Forward (the Federal Section 8 housing authority) or developed by various non-profits. The above owners and developers, by creating low income affordable housing, are eligible to use Oregon State Low-Income Housing Tax Exemptions to help with funding. Some of the nonprofits/low income housing developers are Human Solutions. Central City Concern, Luke-Dorf Inc., Catholic Charities, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Hacienda CDC, NAYA, Northwest Housing Alternatives, REACH CDC, Innovation Housing, Inc., PCRI, St. Vincent De Paul, Bridge Housing, Palindrome Developers, and ROSE CDC.
Federal CARES money was sent to the City of Portland as a response to COVID-19 in 2020. The Housing Bureau, Joint Office of Homeless Services, Multnomah County Human Services and Home Forward came together to give $25 million rent assistance. $6.75 million of City CARES Act funds was also given to community organizations serving BIPOC communities for rental assistance. CARES financial assistance was given for home repairs through the N/NE Preference Policy. 230 homeowners were helped with delinquent mortgage payments. The CARES Act increased increase on the Low-income Housing Tax credit to help leverage investment money. CARES funds of $20,582,000 was allotted specifically for homeless services. 8 motels were turned into shelters to help keep the most vulnerable safe in the Metro area. 1 of the 8 was purchased in NE Portland for $4.2 million; 6 of the 8 are full time shelters and 2 are voluntary part time isolation spaces. Money was spent on winter necessities, such as sleeping bags & tarps. Street outreach was expanded with meals & water provided. Money was also used to create 3 temporary outdoor tent shelters used during 2020.
Metro Supportive Housing Services Tax Measure passed by voters in May 2020 is a 1% personal tax of income over $125,000 (individual) and $200,000 (joint). Businesses have a 1% income tax of receipts above $5 million. Revenue is collected effective 2021. Funds will be used to provide services to those experiencing homelessness or at risk for it. Each County has their own implementation plan and Multnomah County will pass its revenue to the Joint Office of Homeless Services, which is expected to be $50 million in 2021. Information can be found here https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/supportive-housing-services
What is the current progress on the above programs with specific goals? The programs listed below have specific goals. The other programs help to reduce homelessness, but are not regulated by a particular progress. How long will it take at the current rate to meet this goal? The figures below are from April, 2021.
(Note – these are slow moving programs, with strategies to be framed, communities to be involved, long pre-development processes and finances arranged and actual construction taking time).
Portland City Bond Measure There are 12 housing projects using Bond money. Two projects are completed with 314 units created, 275 of them are family sized, 80 units are for the 30% AMI*, and 20 units have PSH**. The other 10 projects are either new construction or rehab projects. When all 12 are done, there will be 1,491 units available, 628 of them will be for 30% AMI* population, 313 will have PSH**, and 691 of them will be family sized units. 3 projects are currently under construction and the remaining 7 will be started by the Fall of 2021. Information can be found at here https://portlandhousingbond.com/.
Metro Bond Measure has 1 project on Home Forward land with planned construction of 187 units. 2 other projects are in a beginning process with development in the future - 1 with land purchased with Metro Bond funds and a 2nd property owned on City land to be developed and to use the Preference Policy for tenants. There is currently a Bond solicitation with awarding of funds in Fall 2021. Information can be found here https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/affordable-housing-bond-program.
N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy A strategy to prevent displacement by offering home repair loan/grants has helped 778 homeowners. The goal of creating 110 new homeowners by 2022 is partially met with 75 obtained through the Preference Policy; 65 of those were with PHB subsidies/investments. Of the 6 rental properties developed under this program, 4 are fully occupied and 2 others partially leased. Within these properties there are a total of 501 units, 441 which are capped at 50 - 60% AMI* and the remaining 60 units for 30% AMI*. PHB also has bought 3 properties for future development. Information can be found at https://www.portland.gov/phb/nnehousing
Why do we have so little housing?
● In Portland, there has been a considerable loss of affordable housing and single room occupied units because of the increased demand for market rate housing. What was once affordable now has rents increased beyond affordable for many. Populations and neighborhoods have been displaced for creation of higher market rate housing; Portland’s population has grown with a higher income demographic being able to afford higher housing costs. Airbnb’s have been created and replaced rental units.
● The Federal Government has long neglected to adequately fund housing vouchers, causing huge backlogs in applications for Section 8 housing.
● Economic inequality has increased over the years with a larger percentage of the population unable to pay their housing costs. Wages diminished, opportunities to better oneself lessened. The “cost burdened” renters’ numbers have expanded.
*AMI – average median income in Portland
** PSH Permanent Supportive Housing - combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary supportive services to address needs of chronically homeless people.
Mayor Wheeler announces Housing Bond Projects
Crescent Court Project opens with volunteer project for neighborhood.
©2018 City of Portland, Oregon
Investing Together in Affordable Homes
Dear Fellow Portlanders,
It’s hard to believe 2020 is coming to a close. With all the challenges this year has brought us, I’m pleased to be able to end it with some positive news from Portland’s Housing Bond. Last month, the Crescent Court Apartments became the first of 10 new projects to begin construction. Another project, Las Adelitas, is not far behind, with plans to break ground in early 2021.
These two projects will bring 279 new affordable units online, in East Portland and in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood, where there is dire need for more affordable housing opportunities. These projects bring a thoughtful, intentional focus to serving priority populations and their surrounding communities through services, programming, amenities, and building design. Learn more about them below.
They will be joining two other Bond projects—the Ellington and the East Burnside Apartments—which are already providing stable housing, programming, services, and community to more than 800 Portlanders. Recently, student nurses began working with the Ellington community to provide weekly health and wellness programs, and a collaboration with the Portland Bureau of Transportation is providing a safe, socially distanced learnng and play environment for Ellington kids.
These are just a few ways Portland’s Housing Bond continues to support and sustain our local community as we weather this storm together. In these trying times, Portland’s Housing Bond reminds us what we can accomplish when we stand together and imagine a better future for our friends, neighbors, community, and the city we love.
Sincerely,
Mayor Ted Wheeler
Construction Begins!
The newly named Crescent Court Apartments, a 138-unit project at SE 115th and Division, broke ground on November 10—becoming the first of 10 new Bond projects to begin construction. In lieu of a traditional groundbreaking, Related NW and Central City Concern—with their development partners, Walsh Construction and Ankrom Moisan Architects, and local community organization, the Boys & Girls Club of Portland—commemorated the event with a day of service to the neighborhood Crescent Court will soon call home, providing groceries to IRCO’s Mill Park Food Pantry, located close to the new development. The Boys & Girls Club of Portland’s newest location will be on the property of the Crescent Court Apartments, where they will provide after-school programs to residents and the neighborhood.
News from HOusing Bond progress
February 2021
Las Adelitas is preparing to break ground early this year after receiving final funding approval from Portland City Council this month. Located in the Cully neighborhood, Las Adelitas is truly a family-focused development—with 70 percent of the units large enough for families with children. Families at Las Adelitas will not only have an affordable home, but a true network of community support including mental health support from Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare; culturally specific programming by Familias en Accion for prevention and management of chronic health conditions; and Hacienda CDC, who are providing a broad array of resident services to all tenants, including financial education, child development, health services, job networking, physical fitness, cooking classes, and a food pantry.
Construction of Las Adelitas is expected to begin in February 2021.
News from Mayor Ted Wheeler and The Portland Housing Bureau
January 2021