About PHB

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

The mission of the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) is to solve the unmet housing needs of the people of Portland. PHB is responsible for leading housing policy for the City of Portland and administering programs to produce affordable rental housing, increase and stabilize homeowners, prevent and end homelessness, and regulate and assist landlords and tenants in the rental housing market. We are guided in our work by a vision that all Portlanders should have equitable access to affordable housing and to the opportunities that a safe, stable home can deliver.

Contact Us    PHB Program Directory


Bureau Director Helmi 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 nearly 15,000 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 is working to achieve 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

Stay Connected: Email Lists and Newsletters

Join an email list or check out the latest news.

TopicEmail listNewsletters
Bond Oversight Committee and information on housing opportunitiesSign up for Housing Bond updatesHousing Bond newsletters
Housing Bond news
Affordable housing development and solicitationsGet notifications about funding opportunitiesPHB news
Portland Housing Advisory CommissionSign up for PHAC updatesPHB news
Fair Housing Advocacy CommitteeSign up for FHAC updatesFHAC news
N/NE Neighborhood Housing StrategyConnect with usN/NE newsletters
Rental Services OfficeSign up for Rental Services updatesRSO news

Learn more about PHB advisory groups.


Media Inquiries and Public Records Requests

For all media inquiries, please contact our Public Information Officer.

Gabriel Mathews
Gabriel.Mathews@portlandoregon.gov  |  503-865-6867

Public Records Requests

Submit requests online through the public records portal.

Additional resources:


PHB Performance Measures

See how PHB is measuring up to its quarterly performance targets in the PHB Data Window.

PHB Data Window


Who We Work With

Jurisdictional Partners

Intergovernmental Partners

Contact

Portland Housing Bureau

phone number503-823-2375Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
fax number503-823-2387

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