On August 26, Portland’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP) to City Council for consideration. This project’s mapping amendments focus on reducing zoning barriers to developing or preserving affordable housing on properties owned by non-profit affordable housing providers and public agencies. AHOP is part of Portland’s broader efforts to address housing affordability and supply challenges.
Overview of testimony
Prior to voting on the project, commissioners heard public testimony from community members on the project’s proposals for zone changes. Commissioners also received written testimony submitted through the project's Map App. Testimony included general support for the proposed zone changes, as well as testimony regarding specific properties. The largest amount of verbal testimony during the public hearing focused on the Sears Armory site on SW Multnomah Blvd. Testifiers were opposed to the long-term continuation of the existing safe rest village and raised concerns that the zone change could compromise earlier plans for locating emergency management uses on the property.
After considerable discussion on the Sears Armory site, the Planning Commission supported the proposed zone change, acknowledging the need for zoning to facilitate the near-term continuation of the safe rest village and to provide options for affordable housing development in the long-term. Commissioners also acknowledged that the zone change would continue to allow for the possibility of emergency management uses on the site.
Planning Commission decision
Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to support staff’s recommendations for the AHOP land use mapping amendments, acknowledging that they will help address Portland’s critical need for more affordable housing. During its deliberation, the Commission encouraged the City to engage the community in a future process to develop a long-term plan for the City-owned Sears Armory property. The Commission also expressed an interest in the City undertaking projects similar to AHOP in the future to reduce zoning barriers to affordable housing development and preservation on additional sites.
Commissioners appreciated that the AHOP zoning map amendments will contribute to reducing the cost and time that affordable housing providers would otherwise need to devote to addressing zoning constraints on their properties, allowing them to focus their resources more directly on providing affordable homes and services.
Next steps
Next, the project will head to City Council in the form of a Recommended Draft for public hearings, potentially starting in January 2026. After considering public testimony, City Council will deliberate and potentially make changes, then vote to adopt the plan.
Stay tuned for updates on the release of the Recommended Draft and opportunities to submit testimony at future City Council hearings.
Watch the Planning Commission hearing
Watch the August 26 Planning Commission hearing.