Project purpose
The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP) helps address Portland’s critical need for affordable housing through a limited number of strategic zoning changes that support affordable housing development. This project focuses on leveraging underutilized properties owned by nonprofit housing providers and public agencies to create more affordable housing options for Portlanders.
Aligned with Portland’s Housing Production Strategy (HPS), AHOP focuses on addressing zoning barriers for the development or preservation of affordable housing. By updating Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map designations, the project aims to unlock near- and mid-term opportunities to expand affordable housing and community services.
Project Objectives
- Enable affordable housing development: help nonprofit affordable housing providers move developments forward by addressing zoning constraints.
- Support practical development locations: focus on areas where zoning changes align with access to transit, services, and community infrastructure.
- Preserve existing affordable housing: help preserve existing affordable housing on properties owned by non-profit affordable housing providers by proposing zoning changes that conform zoning to existing uses.
Project background
The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP) is part of Portland’s ongoing efforts to address housing affordability and supply challenges. Portland has a tremendous need for affordable housing as identified in Portland’s Housing Needs Analysis (HNA), adopted in December 2023. Approximately 88,000, or 31 percent, of current Portland households are low-income and cost-burdened, which means they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing expenses.
This project aims to address these challenges by identifying and rezoning properties owned by nonprofit affordable housing providers and public agencies. By updating the Comprehensive plan map and zoning map designations, AHOP can unlock opportunities to develop more affordable housing and support the continuation of existing affordable housing. Building on the success of earlier initiatives to enable housing development on land owned by faith and community-based organizations, the AHOP effort shifts the focus to nonprofit housing providers that have expertise in affordable housing development and to land owned by public agencies.
Nonprofit organizations play a unique and critical role in producing affordable housing. Many nonprofits have deep experience in navigating the complexities of affordable housing development, leveraging public and private funding, and partnering with communities to create housing that serves local needs. By working with nonprofits, we can ensure that rezoning efforts are not only aligned with housing production goals but also contribute to equitable development and lasting affordability.
Project steps and timeline
- Spring–Fall 2024: Project scoping and identification of potential properties
- Summer–Fall 2024: Site assessments and coordination with partner
- Winter–Spring 2025: Initial community outreach and zoning proposal development
- Spring/Summer 2025: Public release of Discussion Draft and community engagement
- Fall–Winter 2025: Legislative process and final adoption
