About PHB

Information

Welcome to the Housing Bureau! Learn about what we do to support equitable access to affordable housing.

On this page

Who We Are

The mission of the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) is to foster an inclusive and sustainable city by creating stable and long-term housing opportunities for Portlanders. We fund affordable housing, ensure protections for renters, and preserve existing homes.

We are guided in our work by a vision that all Portlanders should have safe, affordable, stable, and dignified housing, built upon a foundation of sustainability, resilience, and community partnership.

Contact Us PHB Program Directory

Bureau Director Helmi A. Hisserich

Meet the Housing Bureau Director and the PHB Management Team

View Director's Calendar and Leadership Bios

What We Do

To achieve the City’s housing goals, PHB implements programs and policies in four key areas:

Production and Preservation: PHB finances the construction and preservation of affordable housing— through both direct financing as well as indirect subsidies, such as tax exemptions and fee waivers. PHB-funded housing is required to remain affordable at targeted incomes for up to 99 years. PHB currently regulates a portfolio of over 17,000 units of affordable housing throughout the city.
Homeownership: PHB funds programs to increase homeownership for vulnerable and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, including down-payment assistance loans and homebuyer education.
Preventing Displacement: PHB uses a variety of strategies to stabilize vulnerable renters and homeowners, especially in North/Northeast and East Portland. Strategies include supporting and implementing new tenant protections, funding legal services, and providing home repair grants and loans to help low and moderate-income homeowners retain their homes.
Ending Homelessness: Through the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), PHB invests in services and programs that assist individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These include short-term rent assistance, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), transitional housing, and winter and emergency shelter. Together with our partners, PHB has recently surpassed Portland City Council’s goal of creating 2,000 new supportive housing units by 2028.

More information:

Budget Planning and Equity Equity in Contracting

Attend a Meeting

All public PHB meetings are now hybrid. Attend virtually or in person. Registration links will be posted on each event page. Please contact the organizer if you have any questions.

Upcoming PHB events

PHB advisory groups and commissions

Need help connecting? See our online meeting guide.

Contact Us

Visit the Portland Housing Bureau homepage for the latest events and news.

PHB Homepage

Find program-specific information and contacts.

PHB Program Directory

Rental Services Office | Housing Bond | Metro Bond

General Questions

PHBinfo@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-2375 | FAX: 503-823-2387

Mailing and Office Address

Portland Housing Bureau
1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7007
Portland, OR 97201

PHB offices are located on the 7th floor of the 1900 Building. Elevators are available for access.

Get directions to PHB

Dropping off a form? Drop off in the grey mail bin in the building lobby on the first floor or visit us on the 7th floor.

What to know before your visit:

Please keep in mind PHB offices are hybrid. Staff are only in the building on certain days of the week. Call or email us to confirm in-person office hours. Limited in-person services are available, mostly by appointment. Call or email to schedule.
503-823-2375 | PHBinfo@portlandoregon.gov
Remote methods (phone, email, fax, or post mail) are still recommended for all customer service needs. Virtual and phone appointments are available. Reach out to the program contact.
General info about visiting City buildings