Give feedback on initial recommendations to increase needed types of housing

Guided by Portland's Housing Production Strategy, the Housing Bonus Alignment Project proposes zoning code amendments to facilitate the development of more housing units that meet the needs of Portlanders as part of the City's commitment to encouraging the creation of quality, affordable housing.

This project will encourage the development of needed housing types – including affordable housing, accessible housing, and units with more bedrooms – by simplifying and updating zoning incentives associated with producing these types of housing. These zoning incentives are also known as bonuses.

Give feedback on initial recommendations

Project staff have released initial zoning code change recommendations – also known as the Discussion Draft – for broad public feedback. The Discussion Draft is open for public comment until Monday, March 23.

These recommendations include small and technical changes in addition to more substantive changes to Portland's housing bonus details. Together, these changes carry out the following proposals:

• Extend bonuses currently limited to certain zones in both multi-dwelling zones and commercial mixed-use zones
• Increase number of units that can be built and allow multiple bonuses to be used
• Revise and improve the feasibility of the bonus requirements
• Adjust code to remove overlapping provisions, add clarity and improve housing outcomes

Read the Discussion Draft documents

Provide written comment

Learn more at an upcoming event

Learn more about the project and how to give feedback at an upcoming virtual information session:

• Wednesday, March 4, 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register.
• Thursday, March 12, 6-7 p.m. Learn more and register.

Next steps

Following the public comment period, project staff will integrate feedback and will produce another draft – called the Proposed Draft – for consideration by the Portland Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will then make a recommendation to City Council.

There will be future opportunities to testify at Planning Commission and City Council hearings. Sign up for project updates to learn more about future opportunities to engage.

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Why is this important?

The City's recently completed Housing Needs Analysis and Housing Production Strategy demonstrated an unmet need for developing certain housing types (family-sized units, accessible/visitable), address affordability (affordable housing for cost-burdened and houseless households) and stabilization strategies for vulnerable communities and to increase housing choice in areas of high opportunity/complete neighborhoods. This is one action from the Housing Production Strategy.

This Draft Housing Production Strategy is informed by the Housing Needs Analysis, which was approved by City Council in December 2023. The Housing Needs Analysis determined the future demand for housing by unit, income and other thresholds.