Multnomah County's 1995 Consolidated Plan is based upon a consortium of the Cities of Portland and Gresham and the unincorporated portions of and small localities in Multnomah County, Oregon and covers all housing and housing policies impacting the people of the three jurisdictions. A new organization - the Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) was set up to prepare the plan. It has 15 members, 9 from Portland, 3 from Gresham and 3 from Multnomah. Each jurisdiction is responsible, in turn, for implementing the plan. The plan covers 5 years. Also included is a 5 and 1 year action plan for community development in all area of Multnomah County, less Portland and Gresham.

Citizen Participation

The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) and the City of Portland's Bureau Advisory Committee held a community work shops on 12/15/ 94 and 1/12/95. This was followed on 1/18/95 with a workshop sponsored by the City of Gresham and Multnomah County. Finally, HCDC hosted a public hearing on 4/27/95. Some of the hearings focused on community development in one or more localities. All of Portland, Gresham and the unincorporated areas of Multnomah county and all topical areas were covered in one or more of the hearings.

The City of Portland also held a number of meetings with contractors, non- profits, and neighborhood groups upon request. A draft Plan was published on 4/6/95 for a 30 day comment period. Copies of the Plan were made available in numerous locations.

Multnomah County, which includes the cities of Gresham and Portland, Oregon is a major center of commerce, industry and the arts for the Northwest. The area has been experiencing economic growth and success, partly due to its ability to diversify its manufacturing and service industry base. Another factor contributing to the area's growth has been that, in recent years, the quality of life of Multnomah County has become known far beyond its borders. This has resulted in a substantial in migration and increase in the population. It has been estimated that the area has been growing at about 44,000 persons per year. In mid 1993, the population was estimated to be 1,647,00. The 1990 Census population figure was 1,478,000. Official projections state that the greater Portland area population will continue to grow and will increase to over 2,000,000 by the year 2010.

While living conditions have become a magnet for people to move to the Portland area, the increase in population has caused additional demands and increased competitive pressures on existing housing stock. While this is a vital economic sign, it has placed poor persons at an increased disadvantage for home ownership and quality of habitat.

Conditions

Multnomah County has over 263,000 housing units. Estimates on the condition of housing stock vary. One estimate places the substandard count as high as 25% of Portland's rental units and 15% of its owner occupied units as physical substandard. Redevelopment agencies suggest that 88% of the substandard housing can be rehabilitated.

Housing Needs

Fifty-five per cent of occupied units are owner occupied. Close to 46% of housing units have 3 or more bedrooms and close to 78% of these units are owner occupied. Close to 21% of the housing units are studio, SRO, or 1 bedroom units, 78% of which are rentals. Among 2 bedroom units, which make up close to 33% of housing units, 39% are owner occupied. It can be inferred that home owning households take up the bulk of the 3+ bedroom housing stock, while renters predominate in the smaller units.

Housing Market Conditions

The housing market is tight with only a 1% vacancy rate in homes for sale and a 5% vacancy in housing units for rent. The median sales price for existing homes went from $79,500 in 1990 to $117,00 in 1994 - a 47% increase. Not only is new construction in demand, but also there is a resurgence in demand for many older neighborhoods, thus putting increased economic pressure on existing lower income occupants. Fifty-five percent of the county's housing units are owner occupied.

Affordable Housing Needs

In Multnomah County, over 100,000 renter households and over 2,000 homeowner households, with incomes below 30% of median income, cannot find affordable housing.

Homeless Needs

Regardless of whether they are renters or homeowners, households earning less than 30% of median income who pay more than 50% of their income for rent, can be considered "at risk" of being homeless. It is for these households that unanticipated medical expenses, or the loss of a job can make the difference between making a mortgage or rent payment or not. In Multnomah County there are a total of 18,412 households at risk of homelessness. Close to 14,000 of these are renter households.

Multnomah's increase in poverty has been dramatic in the past decade. Between 1980 and 1990, poverty increased by 20%. As of 1990 13% of the county's population lived below the poverty level. While about 14,000 homeless adults and children were provided shelter last year, no number exists on the number who were unable to obtain shelter. On one night - November 17, 1994 - it is known that 401 persons, including 77 children under the age of 6, were turned away because there was no room for them in existing facilities. But in addition to shelters, transitional and permanent housing and counselling is needed for them too.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

There is a tremendous need for more subsidized housing units. The current vacancy rate is low -a 2.3% vacancy rate in public housing. (None of the units are vacant due to physical deterioration.) As of August 1, 1995 there were 11,215 households on the Housing Authority of Portland's waiting list of Public Housing and Section 8 Programs. That is an increase of 4,620 - 70% - in a little more than 2 years. Over 5,200 families are now waiting for units of 2 bedrooms or larger.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy, adopted in 1994 identified few local policy or regulatory barriers that have impeded affordable housing production in Multnomah County. One impediment noted was the inadequacy of zoning incentives in the absence of other financial inducements or during periods of economic recession.

Another point noted was the impact of zoning code regulations on the siting of group homes for persons with physical disabilities. In response, Portland adopted zoning changes to streamline the siting of homeless and special needs facilities.

Fair Housing

In Multnomah County, 1 out of 4 households are very low income (below 50% of medium income), while nearly 1 in 2 African-American households is very low income and roughly 1 in 3 Native American, Hispanic, and Asian And Pacific Islander households is considered very low income.

Lead-Based Paint

It is estimated that up to 130,000 housing units contain lead based paint. The cost of full abatement of lead based paint from a house can run from $7,500 to $40,000.

Multnomah is one of 4 Oregon counties involved in the Oregon Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Project and funded with a grant from the Centers for Disease Control. The Oregon Health Division has information brochures available on led poisoning screening and prevention.

Community Development Needs

Needs include:

• Improved quality and quantity of housing for low and moderate income persons
• Hook ups, in mid- county, to sewer lines for low income persons
• No and low interest loans for home ownership and housing rehabilitation for low and moderate income persons
• Assistance to increase the supply of low and moderate income rental housing
• Job training and educational services for low income persons
• Counseling and supportive services for homeless and potentially homeless persons
• Water system facilities to provide adequate flow and fire protection for lower income neighborhoods
• Storm drainage improvements in accordance with the County Storm Drain Master Plan to alleviate flooding of homes in prequalified areas
• Improved access for elderly and disabled in existing and new residential and public facilities
• Improved street lighting to upgrade safety for low and moderate income neighborhoods
• Park development and enhancement which serve low income neighborhoods

Coordination

The City of Portland is the lead agency in the HOME consortium. Portland's Bureau of Housing and Community Development administers the HOME funds and as such is designated as the lead agency for the Consolidated Plan. The Bureau of Housing and Community Development has delegated much of the coordination of the Consolidated Plan process and county wide plan development to the HCDC. The HCDC is consists of 15 members, 9 from Portland, 3 each from Multnomah County and Gresham. It recommends housing policy, advising the 3 jurisdictions on budget decisions affecting housing programs, ensuring the linkage of associated social services with these programs and guiding and monitoring the updates of the plan.

The staff of HCDC is made up of Portland Bureau of Housing Community Development and Planning, the Housing Authority of Portland, Multnomah County's Community and Family Services Division, and Gresham's Community Development Department. Extensive consultation occurred with the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services, the Metro regional government, the surrounding Counties of Clackamas and Washington, and county social service agencies and
non- profits.

Responsibility for implementing the plan rests with the Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development, Gresham's Community Development Department, Multnomah County's Community Development Program and the Housing Authority of Portland and the support of several public and private agencies including; the State of Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, Portland Bureau of Buildings, Bureau of Planning, Development Commission, Energy Office, Central City 2000/ River District, the Livable City Housing Council, Enterprise Foundation, Oregon Corporation for affordable Housing, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, Neighborhood partnership Fund, equity investors including Weyerhauser Corp and Prudential Insurance, conventual lenders and for profit and non- profit developers.

For the Enterprise Community in Portland key actors include the North/ Northeast Economic (N/NEDA) Development Alliance, and the Empowerment Board which includes representatives from the N/NEDA and the Mayor of Portland, The Multnomah County Chairperson, and a representative from the downtown area.

Vision for Change

The 5 year housing and community development strategy for action is built upon the consortium's Housing plan for all of Multnomah County and a housing and community development strategy for the unincorporated portions and smaller localities of the County. Individual Housing and Community development strategies for Portland and Gresham can be found under those cities individual entries.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

The Housing and Community Development goals for Multnomah County, include;

• Spearhead and support neighborhood revitalization
• Encourage low and moderate income housing development and rehabilitation
• Improve public service
• Create economic development opportunities for low and moderate income persons
• Where possible, develop indicators of success for HCD goals
• Foster a safe community

Housing Priorities

• People should focus on providing housing for those with the greatest need

• Both public and private funds are required to meet community needs
• There should be a direct relationship between the amount of public subsidy and the length of time that a housing resource remains affordable

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

The priorities include, but are not limited to;

• Improve the quality and quantity of housing for low and moderate income persons
• Provide hook ups, in mid- county, to sewer lines for low income persons
• Provide no and low interest loans for home ownership and housing rehabilitation for low and moderate income persons
• Provide low income families with job training and educational services
• Provide counseling and supportive services for homeless and potentially homeless persons
• Provide water system facilities to provide adequate flow and fire protection for lower income neighborhoods
• Make storm drainage improvements in accordance with the County Storm Drain Master Plan to alleviate flooding of homes in prequalified areas
• Improve access for elderly and disabled in existing and new residential and public facilities
• Support organization activities of East County business districts and assist new business to locate there and existing businesses to make improvement and encourage job creation
• Improve street lighting to upgrade safety for low and moderate income neighborhoods
• Develop and enhance parks which serve low income neighborhoods
• Provide shelter for individuals and families escaping domestic violence
• Upgrade water systems facilities to provide adequate flow and fire protection

Housing and Community Development Resources and Coordination of the Strategic Plan

Federal aid is delivered primarily through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Multnomah County and CDBG grants to the cities of Portland and Gresham, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Program, The Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunity for People With Aids Program and programs and assistance from the public and private organizations and agencies and individuals identified in the coordination section at the beginning of this summary. The Community Development Program of the Multnomah County Division of Community and Family Services administers CDBG funds to the unincorporated portions and smaller towns of Multnomah County.

Description of Key Projects

In Fairview key projects include - resurfacing streets, water and sewer improvements, park improvements, and rehabilitation assistance for low and moderate income families.

In Maywood Park - convert from cesspools to sanitary sewers, rehabilitate and weatherize low and moderate income housing units.

In Troutville - Improve streets, sidewalks, storm sewers, utilities and water lines, park development, and establish a revolving loan fund for downtown businesses.

Wood Village - Water line improvements to increase fire protection, park improvements, rehabilitate older low income homes, and sewer improvements.

Lead Agency

Multnomah County Division of Community and Family Services.

Housing Goals

Rehabilitate housing for low and moderate income persons.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the projects.