Happy Summer, N/NE Community members. I hope everyone is enjoying the season. As always, we welcome you to the work of the N/NE Housing Strategy, and the N/NE Oversight Committee, in sharing news and updates on key milestones. Stay tuned for lots of exciting news and projects on the horizon.
For the first half of this year, we began leasing the new Dr. Darrell Millner Building, 60 family sized units with washer/dryer hookups. As was presented to Portland City Council on June 13th, our efforts have assisted over 1000 families with necessary home repairs and created 127 new homeowners. Additionally, the NNE Oversight committee approved the recommendation of PHB’s home ownership team to increase down payment assistance in the Interstate Corridor from $100,000 to $150,000.
As we embark on the second half of the year, we remain committed to centering displaced residents, and early community engagement, in ensuring we partner with community to meet the needs of N/NE residents. We are dedicated to working closely with our Housing Strategy partners to bravely face the challenges of rising home prices, higher interest rates and rising rents, while celebrating our joint successes, such as inspiring other municipal entities to duplicate Portland’s N/NE Preference Policy.
As I look back on the implementation of the N/NE Housing Strategy, having been a part of its earliest beginnings, I sometimes marvel at how far we have come. It was just few years ago that Mayor Wheeler declared the Housing Strategy an utter failure. Today there are 560 new rental units with 200+ in the pipeline to be completed in the next couple years! We have opened a new Preference Policy Homeownership Waitlist, to assist another 100+ families in becoming homeowners, and we continue to assist families with necessary home repairs.
Our lessons and successes have been hard won. As we follow the lead of our Oversight Committee, we are grateful for their guidance and dedication to ensuring we keep our promises to the community. We hope to continue to inspire other organizations and our sister bureaus to center equity and diversity in their decision making.
Leslie Goodlow
Equity and Business Operations Manager
Portland Housing Bureau
News:
Carey Boulevard Design Workshop
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region and PHB partnered to engage N/NE Preference Policy Homeownership Waitlist participants in a design workshop where they offered feedback and recommendations on several design elements for Carey Boulevard – an exciting new housing development in North Portland set close to schools, transportation, shopping and services, high-opportunity employment centers, natural areas, and green spaces. The site will feature 50 townhomes ranging from 2-bedroom/1-bath to 3 or 4-bedroom/2-bath homes.
Current Homeownership Waitlist applicants were invited to provide input to ensure that the design of Carey Boulevard meets the needs of the existing community, neighborhood, and prospective homebuyers. The design workshop, held at New Song Community Church on July 22nd, provided dinner, childcare and a $30 gift card to all who provided feedback!
Participants asked excellent questions and their thoughts and ideas were appreciated. As shared by Habitat Project Manager Ian Galagher, "We are really excited to be partnering with Portland Housing Bureau to bring 50 new affordable homes to North Portland. It was a pleasure to meet so many community members who are invested in seeing the Carey Boulevard project designed and built in a way that values quality of life and sustainability. We look forward to analyzing the input we received in the coming weeks and then incorporating what we learn into the plans."
In addition to creating a space for community members to share thoughts and ideas for the design of Carey Boulevard, participants were also encouraged to help determine a final name for the development.
Early community engagement is about collaborating with and empowering communities, not just informing or surveying them or asking for their input on programs that have been designed and led outside of the community. It’s about listening to local communities and recognizing the expert in every community member, and every leader representing the community. To learn more, click here.
Thank you to all who came out to lean into the design phase of this exciting forthcoming development, and for sharing your thoughts and ideas.
PHB Home Repair Loan Program
Did you know PHB offers a home repair loan program to low-income homeowners with an area median income (AMI) of less than 80% to help alleviate the burden of home repair costs? PHB provides up to $40,000 of your equity for a home repair loan, and the loan is interest-free, requires no payments, and is forgiven after 15 years if you continue to occupy the home!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people stuck at home turned to home improvement projects, with remodeling and repair spending in 2020 and 2021 growing by 23.8 percent, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. The pandemic provided homeowners with something to work on, and while spending on home repair and remodeling has slowed, home maintenance remains a constant necessity.
Owning a home comes with certain responsibilities. There is no property management company or landlord to call when a sink isn’t draining, or the lawn needs mowing. Regular home maintenance is essential for extending the lifespan of key components in a house and ensuring the property is a safe and enjoyable place to live.
For more information on eligibility and the program outline, please visit PHB Home Repair Loan.
2024 N/NE Housing Strategy Annual Report to City Council
On June 13, Oversight Committee Chair Dr. Steven Holt, PHB Equity & Business Operations Manager Leslie Goodlow, and Albina Vision Trust's JT Flowers, along with PSU Professors Dr. Lisa Bates and Dr. Amie Thurber presented Portland City Council with the 2023 N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy Annual Report.
The strategy, which guides the investments of over $100 million dollars for housing in the N/NE community, was approved by City Council in 2015.
As expressed by Commissioner Carmen Rubio, “Now nine years later, PHB and its' partners have exceeded the strategy's goals, including those of the Preference Policy and MWESB (minority, women, and emerging small businesses) contracting."
To learn more, view the presentation and hear the wonderful remarks offered by City leadership here.
Back to School - Albina Head Start
Back-to-school is quickly approaching for many students, even the littlest ones. Albina Head Start, located at 911 N Skidmore St in Portland, is now accepting proof of Employment Related Day Care (ERDC). Families with approved hours will receive priority placement if slots are available.
If applying for ERDC - Complete an application at: ONE Home Page (oregon.gov) or request an application to be mailed. All applications must be submitted to any local DHS office.
If approved for ERDC - send proof of hours to: erdcteam@albinaheadstart.org
Albina Head Start provides full-day services (Monday - Friday 7am - 4:30pm, except for In-Service or holidays.)
To learn more, or for inquires, call 503-236-9389, or email erdcteam@albinaheadstart.org
Updates:
N/NE Preference Policy Homeownership Waitlist Participants
Stay Verified and Secure Your Spot on the Waitlist!
We want you to stay on the waitlist and get verified! To help you, we have scheduled information sessions on July 27, 31, and August 7. Don't miss out—this is your last opportunity to verify your documents. The final deadline is on August 10. Attend these sessions to secure your place on the waitlist.
Register for a session
Maximize Your Preference Points!
Did you know that your current address can earn you preference points? If you live in North or Northeast Portland, you can verify with your government-issued photo identification. Simply label the document (or rename the file if you are uploading) as "[FULL NAME] _ [REFERENCE ID] _Address 1."
Important Document Submission Tips
When uploading verification documents, please rename each document with your full name, reference number, and the type of document (e.g., Address 1, Address 2, Photo Identification). If documents are not clearly labeled or renamed upon submission, they may be deleted. We don’t want this to happen. We want you on the list so you don’t miss the opportunity. Label or rename all your documents and submit no later than August 10.
Thank you for participating in the N/NE Preference Policy Waitlist for Homeownership.
N/NE Preference Policy Rental Housing Waitlist Participants
Update Your Information Easily! You can now update your contact information, household size, and other details with ease using the Waitlist Update Form on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Important Application Notice! If you sent in more than one application, you'll receive a letter confirming which application was kept on the waiting list. Only your most recent application will be kept. While having multiple applications won't remove you from the waitlist, it may lower your placement.
Security Deposit Assistance Available! We are offering security deposit assistance to families approved for units in preference policy rental buildings. This support is designed to help alleviate the moving costs and make your move-in smoother. The property manager or leasing agent will submit a form on your behalf during your intake appointment. For questions, please contact Dyvisha.Gordon@portlandoregon.gov.
Exciting Leasing Announcement: We are excited to announce that Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) and Community Development Partners (CDP) are now leasing the Dr. Darrell Millner Building! The management company is Guardian. Applicants currently on the waitlist will be given priority over new applicants, ensuring that those who have been waiting get the first chance at these fantastic new opportunities. Families will continue to be referred until they finish leasing.
Important Information for Waitlist Participants Referred to Property Owners
We understand you may have questions if you've been referred to a property owner from the waitlist but haven't been contacted yet. Here are some important details:
- Property Owners' Process: Each property owner reviews their list of applicants in order. You may have been referred along with hundreds of other applicants.
- Patience and Timing: Please give property owners time to contact you. They will reach out as soon as they can.
- Keep Your Contact Information Updated: Ensure your contact information with us is up to date. Property owners will call, email, or send a letter by mail.
- Stay Vigilant: Regularly check your mail, email, and voicemail messages for any updates. Lack of response to the bureau or property owners may result in removal.
To reduce confusion and prevent any frustration, we will now refer only 10 families per vacancy.
Preference Policy Rental Housing Opportunities
Open Buildings:
Upcoming Buildings:
Thank you for participating in the N/NE Preference Policy Waitlist for Rental Housing.
Stories of Resilience
Megan's Story
Each quarter we feature a story of resilience in this newsletter centering on the real-life experiences of Preference Policy participants who have gone through the home buying process.
Megan’s story is special in many ways. Growing up in NE Portland's King Neighborhood, she witnessed gentrification and the loss of community firsthand, yet nonetheless was determined to remain in the neighborhood she had lived her whole life.
"It felt safer even though there were issues with violence. In general, I feel like growing up you could play in the street, you always had neighbors to play with, and I could just walk around. Going to the bus stop was not a big deal then, it just felt more like community. You knew your neighbors and you had that sort of home feeling."
As a single mom raising her son on her own without financial assistance, Megan felt homeownership might be out of her reach, especially in N/NE Portland where the prices of homes were soaring. Fortunately, her employer, who encouraged homeownership, invited advisors to come and meet with employees. She met with an advisor and learned that it would likely take 4-5 years, which seemed like forever. Shortly after, she learned about the Preference Policy.
“I recall the policy mailer coming to me soon after that meeting, but I ended up not being approved because I didn’t have certain paperwork.”
Resourceful and undeterred, Megan and her son lived with family to save money while she sought alternative ways to homeownership. “I'm big into research, so I always have a general idea of what to do.” She connected with the African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) where she began saving money through an IDA (individual development account). She also learned about the Portland Housing Center (PHC). leading her to a different homeownership waitlist, one with Proud Ground. “Getting put on that list was literally the pivotal moment that made me realize, okay, I can go for this specific situation, and I can apply for one of these condos—that just totally lit up my whole drive to make it happen.”
After working with PHC to become mortgage ready, she toured Kenton Townhomes and loved the idea of new construction. Although she had to wait for the second building to be built, which kept being pushed back due to the pandemic, she kept a photo on her vision board and remained positive. By 2022 Megan had secured a new home with high enough ceilings for her son, then 16 and super tall.
Megan’s can-do attitude and hard work definitely paid off. “When I want something, I go for it as much as I can. Once I bought my own home, my long-term goal was to get my real estate license so that I can sell homes and then also just learn the market more. I've always had an interest in real estate in general, and I finally had the opportunity to get my license in February 2024.”
Megan also shared that her son has really benefited from their new home and location in NE Portland. “He likes it. He is happy. He has his own space and can do what he wants, so it's great. He just finished his second term at Portland Community College (PCC) and he is doing excellent. He is actually on the autism spectrum, so he needs more assistance I would say in everyday life, but thriving in school for sure and will definitely be in the house with me for a while. So, I love that part."
Calendar
August 2024
- Housing Info Expo - Exploring Albina's Past & Looking Forward
Tuesday, August 6
10am - 2pm
Dawson Park, 1 N. Stanton St., Portland
For more info contact: wellnessprogram@cascadiahealth.org
- AAAH Estate Planning 101 Webinar(updated link)
Tuesday, August 6
6pm - 7pm
Online: Register
- Equitable Giving Circle Back to School Supply Giveaway
Thursday, August 22
3pm - 8pm
June Key Delta Community Center, 5940 N. Albina Ave, Portland
September 2024
- Proud Ground Goals and Tools
Tuesday, September 10
6pm - 7:30pm
Online: Register here.