The Climate Investment Plan: Strategic programs
Strategic programs are targeted programs designed with input from community members and subject matter experts. These programs are detailed in the Climate Investment Plan and may be implemented through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, government entities, or businesses. These programs are selected based on shared City and community priorities, carbon emissions reduction opportunity, timeliness, need, and social impacts.
SP 1: Clean energy in regulated multifamily affordable housing
Summary
The City of Portland is adding more than 1,700 multifamily affordable housing units in the next five years. It is imperative that these buildings are built and operated in a way that reduces carbon emissions, reduces operating costs, and improves resilience and health for tenants. Carbon-reducing measures are assured in project budgets by having this dedicated source of funding.
Timeline
- Phase I currently underway.
- Phase II summer 2024.
Allocation
$60 million
Eligibility for administration
- Phase I will be administered by Portland Housing Bureau.
- Phase II has not yet been determine and may also be administered by the Portland Housing Bureau.
Other considerations
This program is divided into two phases. Phase I are projects with financial close in the near term. Requirements for these projects align with standard requirements for Portland Housing Bureau (PHB)-funded projects with the addition of energy usage modeling and reporting for PCEF funded measures. Phase II will be developed with Portland Housing Bureau and community partners. Phase II projects will include those that have financial closing 12 months or more from the date when the program design is complete.
SP 2: Clean energy in unregulated multifamily affordable housing
Summary
This strategic program‘s goal is to provide clean energy improvements in 2,500 existing unregulated multifamily rental units. The program is intended to accelerate climate projects in this sector of the housing market, generating carbon emissions reduction and financial and health benefits for renters with low income.
Timeline
- Summer 2024 – Pilot request for proposals (RFP).
- Summer 2025 – Full program RFP.
Allocation
$50 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit.
- For-profit.
SP 3: Clean energy improvements in single-family homes
Summary
This program will invest $140 million over five years in more than 3,000 single-family homes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease energy usage and utilities bills, and improve homeowner stability while increasing comfort, health, and resiliency. Homes will receive a test-in assessment that follows building science principles and generates estimated energy-saving projections, and test-out quality assurance verification.
Timeline
- May 16, 2024 – First hearing at Council. Approved. Watch the meeting.
- May 22, 2024 – Second hearing at Council. Approved. Watch the meeting.
- Sept. 12, 2024 – Networking event. This is an optional, free, in-person public event where bidders can learn about the program and meet other potential bidders. Register online.
- Early fall 2024 – Full request for proposals
Allocation
$140 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit.
- For-profit.
- Government organizations.
Other considerations
In addition to program-wide workforce and contractor goals and requirements, this strategic program has additional program-specific investment:
- 350-400 workers trained on green building and equipment installation.
- 5,000 hours of building science technical mentorship for contractors.
- Equipment provided for 15-25 contractors entering or expanding in building clean energy work.
- Retention grants for up to 80 new workers and 50 contractors.
Allocation: $3,500,000.
SP 4: Clean energy in small commercial buildings
Summary
This program is intended to reduce energy usage and cost, create health benefits, and increase resilience for small businesses in Portland, with a focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)-owned businesses. The program will take a two-pronged approach: (1) investing in turn-key clean energy building upgrades which lower utility bills and improve comfort and air quality for occupants, and (2) investing in clean-energy upgrades for business-owned appliances and equipment which lower energy use and contribute to business resiliency.
Timeline
- To be determined.
Allocation
$25 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit.
- For-profit.
- Government organizations.
SP 5: Building upgrades for community severe weather response
Summary
This program will fund building energy upgrades for sites owned and/or managed by eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations that make a long-term commitment to provide critical services during severe weather-related events. These may include high heat events, snowstorms, and wildfire smoke events. Types of upgrades may include solar installations; battery backup; and high-efficiency heating, cooling, and air filtration systems.
Timeline
- Current work – Mt. Scott.
- 2025 – RFP for applicants.
Allocation
$30 million
Eligibility for administration
Eligible sites:
- Nonprofit.
- Government organizations.
SP 6: Comprehensive e-bike access and support
Summary
This program will fund rebates for income-qualified households for new e-bike and cargo e-bike purchases to be redeemed at local bike retailers. Participating bike retailers will need be physically located within Portland and provide both sales and repair services to be eligible to accept rebates. Cargo e-bikes and adaptive electric bikes will receive a higher incentive. People receiving rebates will also be able to use a fixed amount of funds for bike safety equipment, locks, and gear. This will also fund a job program training of 50 e-Bike mechanics.
Timeline
- June 26, 2024 - First Council hearing. Watch online.
- July 3, 2024 - Second Council hearing. Watch online.
- Program Administrator RFP - Nov. - Dec. 2024.
- Planned rebate release - summer 2025.
Allocation
$20 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit.
- For-profit.
- Government organizations.
Other considerations
Further clarity of roles and eligibility for this program will be informed by the transportation decarbonization workgroup.
SP 7: Equitable clean transportation access
Summary
This program expands Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Transportation Wallet Access for All (AFA) program by offering qualifying participants a package of free transportation options such as public transit passes, bike share (BIKETOWN), e-scooter ride credit, and ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) or taxi credit. The program allows participants to choose transportation options that meet their individual needs with an emphasis on low-carbon transportation modes.
Timeline
- Summer 2024 – Interagency agreement (IAA) with PBOT, with allocation of funding for 2023-2024 program year.
Allocation
$25 million
Eligibility for administration
PBOT, the current program administrator, will continue to manage the Transportation Wallet AFA program as they have the infrastructure and expertise to expand and improve the program. Partnership with community-based nonprofit organizations with deep roots and a proven track record in the community is essential for effective enrollment and engagement of participants.
SP 8: Equitable tree canopy
Summary
This program will work in Portland’s most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods to equitably plant and establish at least 15,000 trees on public and private property. The program will establish trees over a five-year post planting period, track health and wellness of a meaningful sample of planted trees, build lasting relationships with community-based organizations, and offer tree care resources and communication to tree recipients. The program will also support the development of a diverse, well-trained workforce and contracting community for tree planting and maintenance.
Timeline
- February 2024 – IAA signed with Portland Parks & Recreation.
- March 2024 – convene advisory body.
- Fall 2024 – expansion of yard tree giveaway program.
Allocation
$40 million
Eligibility for administration
- Portland Parks & Recreation.
Other considerations
The Equitable Tree Canopy workgroup will advise on how optimally to distribute workforce and contractor development resources to support a strong, diverse workforce and contracting pool. Allocation: $2,000,000
Learn about the Equitable Tree Canopy Workgroup
SP 9: Increasing access to urban regenerative agriculture opportunities - planning and land acquisition
Summary
This program area includes an investment strategy to increase community-based organizations’ outcomes and capacity in regenerative agriculture, land stewardship, and land ownership. It will support the acquisition, site development, and early management of two to three regenerative agriculture sites of at least 20,000 square feet each, sequestering carbon, increasing the city’s open space and agricultural land base, and fostering greater community-based materials and food production.
Timeline
- Summer 2024 – Regenerative agriculture market study and mapping.
- Winter 2024 – Community outreach for market study, including SP 9 roundtable engagements.
- Spring 2025 – Market study and report completed. Additional SP 9 roundtable engagements completed.
- Summer 2025 – Finalized planning and program structure for SP 9.
- Fall 2025 – RFP for SP 9 land acquisition.
- Winter 2025 – Proposals selected.
Allocation
$6 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofits.
SP 10: Community-Based Organization (CBO) capacity building program
Summary
This program will offer a multi-year cohort program for CBOs that includes training, technical assistance, consultation, operational funding, staff support, and other resources. The program enhances organizations' internal operational effectiveness, leading to improved outcomes in their climate-action projects and programs. The program will equip organizations with resources and support to help them fulfill their mission.
Timeline
- June 12 – First Council hearing, 10:15 a.m.
- June 20, 2024 - Second Council hearing. Unanimously adopted by City Council June 20.
- Summer 2024 – Full program RFP
Allocation
$10 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofits.
- Nonprofit organization fiscal sponsors who are supporting community groups.
SP 11: 82nd Avenue climate infrastructure and community resilience grant program
Summary
This program supports and develops existing community and business leadership in the 82nd Avenue corridor to enhance the ability of current residents and business to deal with and alleviate the impacts of climate change. PCEF will allocate funding to grant programs that will reach target beneficiaries through outreach and marketing efforts.
Timeline
- Integrated into other programs.
Allocation
$5 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit organizations may apply for PCEF community responsive grant program, PCEF mini grant program, and Prosper Portland’s community event grant program focused on 82nd Avenue.
- For-profit organizations may apply for Prosper Portland’s business grants and community event grant program focused on 82nd Avenue.
Community Responsive Grants: Green Infrastructure along 82nd Ave Corridor
Mini Grants along 82nd Ave Corridor
SP 12: 82nd Avenue street tree expansion
Summary
This program increases street trees along the 82nd Avenue corridor will address a key community priority and enhance investments in critical safety repairs made by PBOT. Funding will support approximately 2,500 linear feet (equivalent to thirteen 200-foot blocks) of sidewalk widening and tree planting along 82nd Avenue. In consultation with PP&R, the investment will prioritize large tree species to maximize shade potential.
Timeline
- Summer 2024.
Allocation
$5 million
Eligibility for administration
- The 82nd Avenue street tree expansion will be administered by PBOT in collaboration with Portland Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division. PBOT has both the expertise and jurisdictional oversight in creating space for street trees in the public right-of-way, which will shade pedestrians, reduce the urban heat island effect, and sequester carbon. PBOT will be responsible for convening and consulting community stakeholders and reporting on program implementation.
SP 13: Targeted electric vehicle financing tools
Summary
This program will work with local lenders to reduce the total cost of purchasing EVs for people and businesses that drive high annual milage for business, delivery, or commercial use and provide social and environmental benefits. Funds will help through reducing origination fees or interest rates, credit enhancement mechanisms, matched savings programs, conditional loan forgiveness, or lending pathways with flexible terms to provide access to EVs for PCEF priority populations.
Timeline
- Late 2025.
Allocation
$35 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit organizations with a track record of managing financial transactions.
- Entities registered as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
- Cooperative credit unions.
- Banks with a physical branch presence in Portland.
SP 14: Access to fair and flexible capital
Summary
Through partnership with CDFIs, cooperative credit unions, local banks and community organizations, and public agencies with financing experience, PCEF will offer funding for projects that result in measurable carbon emissions reductions. Approaches may include low- to zero-interest loans, flexible repayment terms, community lending circles, property-assessed clean energy financing tools (i.e., PropertyFit), loan loss reserve mechanisms, conditional loan forgiveness, high-ratio matched savings accounts, credit enhancement mechanisms, culturally specific finance tools, and community-based education and support about financing options.
Timeline
- Mid 2024 – Pilot program to test elements of financing tools.
- Mid 2025 – Full program design and launch.
Allocation
$45 million
Eligibility for administration
- Nonprofit organizations with a track record of managing financial transactions.
- Entities registered as CDFIs.
- Cooperative credit unions.
- Lending institutions with a physical branch presence in Portland.
- Public agencies based in Portland with financing programs for commercial and multifamily properties.
Other considerations
A market needs assessment will be conducted prior to program launch to define the highest priority approaches and funding mechanisms for different sectors.
SP 15: Federal climate and equity funding opportunities
Summary
To guide this City-focused funding category, a PCEF-managed rapid response workgroup will review grant opportunities, review requests for match funding, and make match funding awards. The workgroup will use the CIP’s equity + climate framework to provide guidance in making match funding awards. The workgroup is intended to respond quickly to match funding requests in alignment with the equity + climate framework. The workgroup will not develop grant proposals or directly manage awarded funds. The workgroup will be composed of one person from each of the following: Office of Government Relations staff, PCEF staff, PCEF Committee member, BPS Climate policy staff, and Office of Management and Finance staff.
Timeline
- Early 2024 – process for accessing funds established.
- Mid 2024 – Rolling application process for Bureaus to apply for funding.
Allocation
$20 million
Eligibility for administration
- City of Portland bureaus and offices.
SP 16: Climate-friendly public schools
Summary
There are 149 K-12 public schools in six school districts in the city of Portland. These school districts hold significant assets in three categories relevant for PCEF funding: 1) buildings, 2) transportation, and 3) school yards. Most of this strategic program investment will be allocated amongst the school districts to implement physical infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and improve climate resiliency. A smaller portion of the funding will be allocated to support student-led initiatives for five years at each middle and high school within the city of Portland.
Timeline
- Early 2024 – process for accessing funds established.
- April 24, 2024 – first agreements to Council.
- May 8, 2024 - second hearing at Council. Unanimous approval. Watch the Council meeting.
Allocation
$50 million
Eligibility for administration
- Public school districts within the city of Portland.