1. PURPOSE
This Notice provides guidance to Affordable Housing Agencies with deeply affordable units (0-30% AMI) on how to apply for Safety and Security Grants to address safety and security emergencies. A “safety and security emergency” is defined as an emergency that may arise from an immediate need for funding by the Affordable Housing Agency providing deeply affordable housing to implement safety and security measures necessary to address crime and drug-related activity. “Affordable Housing Agency” is defined as a nonprofit or for-profit organization that owns or operates affordable housing developments which include deeply affordable units (0-30% AMI).
2. BACKGROUND
In Fiscal Year 2024-25 the Housing Bureau set aside funds to assist Affordable Housing Agencies on emergency needs for safety and security, including measures necessary to address crime and drug-related activity.
3. GRANT AWARD LIMIT
Affordable Housing Agencies may submit separate applications for funding to address crime and drug-related activity. Safety and security grant funding will be limited to an overall total of $150,000 per Affordable Housing Agency within the City’s fiscal year. An Affordable Housing Agency’s funding award will be based on several factors including the proposal's cost estimate, the number of deeply affordable units identified within the application, as well as the description of the identified emergency safety and security need. An agency may apply for funding for one or more of its projects as long as its request does not exceed an overall total of $150,000 in the fiscal year.
4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE
Affordable Housing Agencies will be notified of safety and security grant funding availability via electronic mail and a notice will be posted on the PHB website with the due date for applications. Affordable Housing Agencies will be given at least 4 weeks of notice prior to the due date from the time the electronic mail notifications are sent. Affordable Housing Agencies seeking safety and security funding must submit a completed application package (see Section 5 below for all the documents and forms) by electronic mail delivery to the Portland Housing Bureau mailbox.
The due date for applications will be posted on the PHB website. All applications including any amendments to applications received by close of business on the due date will be reviewed for funding eligibility.
5. HOW TO APPLY
Application deadline: Monday, October 7
A. Submit the following documents through the online portal.
B. In the Safety and Security Grants Project Narrative Form provide a thorough yet concise description and/or explanation of how the Affordable Housing Agency has experienced an increased threat to the health and safety of the housing residents within the narratives requested below.
- Affordable Housing Agencies MUST provide a thorough explanation of how the identified crime or drug-related activity at the site or in the close vicinity of the site has increased the threat to the health and safety of the affordable housing residents at the project(s) for which emergency safety and security improvements are proposed in the application.
- Affordable Housing Agencies that apply for emergency safety and security funding are expected to have taken adequate safety and security measures to minimize and avoid costly emergency situations prior to requesting emergency safety and security funds. Whether an agency’s safety and security needs merit emergency safety and security funding, made available through this Notice, will be determined by PHB based on requirements described in this notice.
C. Describe the activities that will be undertaken to correct the safety and security emergency and the estimated cost.
D. If the cost estimate exceeds the $150,000 maximum grant size, the agency must include documents indicating other funds, including Capital Funds, that are available to cover the proposal's additional costs. Funds must be from a source that is currently available to the agency as of the date of application submission.
6. ELIGIBLE USES OF EMERGENCY SAFETY AND SECURITY FUNDING
The intent of these grants is to provide one-time project-specific assistance for emergency safety and security items that could not be absorbed within the Affordable Housing Agency’s Capital Fund budget. Emergency Safety and Security eligible items must meet Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) and local code requirements. Any physical modifications must comply with all applicable accessibility requirements, including under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968, the Fair Housing Act, and ORS 695A. Emergency Safety and Security grant funds may be used to purchase, install, repair, or replace capital needs items including, but not limited to:
Items that address the threat to safety posed by crime and drug-related activity
- a. Security systems/cameras including digital video recorders, license plate readers, and secure Wi-Fi transmission of video signal.
- b. Fencing
- c. Lighting systems
- d. Emergency alarm systems
- e. Window bars
- f. Deadbolt locks
- g. Doors
- h. Security patrol contracts
- i. Increased (24/7) front desk staffing
- j. Training: trauma-informed, de-escalation training for property management staff, front desk staff, security personnel
- k. Salaries for maintenance staff that is being utilized for Safety and Security grant eligible activities (e.g., to install, replace or repair security camera systems, fencing, lighting systems, emergency alarm systems, doors, locks window bars.)
Non-Eligible Uses
- a. Patrol cars
- b. Salaries for agency security staff
- c. Automated surveillance and facial recognition technology
- d. Payment to local law enforcement for additional security or purchase of equipment for local police
- e. Administrative expenses
- f. Transferring emergency safety and security funding to Operations
7. FUNDING
Applications received by the due date will be reviewed to assess whether they meet the eligibility criteria of this notice. PHB will assess the safety and security needs of each Affordable Housing Agency through a review of the application submissions as described in Section 5. All applicants will be notified of the Bureau’s funding decisions.
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
For general questions, please call or email:
Antoinette.Pietka@portlandoregon.gov
503-865-6181
Please upload a copy of the application in Portable Document Format (.pdf) and Excel form with all applicable documents listed in Section 5 above to the secure location.