This consolidated plan summary for Portland is drawn from the Multnomah HOME Consortium consolidated plan which includes Multnomah County and the Cities of Portland and Gresham. The consortium is an official organization composed of citizen representatives from Multnomah County, Portland and Gresham governments. This plan summary for Portland contains mostly plans for community and economic development activities in Portland. Housing plans, in Portland and throughout Multnomah County are located in the summary of the Multnomah Consortium's consolidated plan.

Citizen Participation

On 12/8/94, the Housing and Community Development Commission (a citizens organization to coordinate planning for the Multnomah County consortium, including the City of Portland) and the City of Portland's Bureau Advisory Committee hosted a community workshop in order to receive public housing and community development needs and strategies. On 1/12/95, the HCDC and the City of Portland's Bureau Advisory Committee hosted a second public hearing to receive comments on the Bureau of Housing and Community Development proposal to allocate funds to meet community needs.

The meetings were publicized through press releases to neighborhoods associations, newspapers, and monthly HCDC mailings, and a mailing to over 200 people on the Bureau's mailing list. Paid newspaper adds were placed in both The Oregonian and The Skanner for the 1/12 hearing. Flyers were distributed to public housing residents through the Resident Involvement Coordinator. To ensure the involvement of low- income people in city and neighborhood planning processes, the Bureau contracted outreach services with the Southeast and Northeast Neighborhood Coalition.

On 4/27/95, after similar outreach notifications, another public hearing was held on the proposed consolidated plan 5 year strategy and 1 year action plan. The City of Portland also held a number of meetings with contractors, nonprofits 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.

On 5/3/95 the HCDC discussed the draft plan and all testimony.

Located on the banks of the Columbia and the Willamette Rivers, Portland is a major center of commerce and industry, entertainment and the arts in the northwest. Its investments in land planning, good government, social justice, education and environmental protection have made it a very livable community.

Conditions

See the Multnomah County consortium's consolidated plan for a statement of conditions.

Housing Needs

See the Multnomah County consortium's consolidated plan for a statement of needs.

Housing Market Conditions

See the Multnomah County consortium's consolidated plan for a statement of market conditions.

Affordable Housing Needs

See the Multnomah County consortium's consolidated plan for a statement of housing needs.

Homeless Needs

See the Multnomah County consortium's consolidated plan for a statement of homeless needs.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) expanded its jurisdiction to include all of Multnomah County, including its original jurisdiction of the City of Portland. HAP develops and manages 2 major HUD funded housing programs: Low Rent Public Housing (LRPH) and Section 8 certificates and vouchers. In addition, HAP also develops and owns property that is not in the public housing program. All told 12,810 housing units come under the influence or direct control of HAP.

The supply of housing available for HAP is far below the demand. The number of families on HAP's waiting list is 11,215 - an increase of 70% in little more than 2 years. Of the nearly 2,700 public housing units, 56% are studio and 1 bedroom units which primarily serve elderly or disabled individuals. Only 21% of HAP's LRPH stock have 3 or more bedrooms.

HAP's public housing vacancy rate is 2.3%. HAP has no vacant physically deteriorated units. Overall the housing stock is in fair condition. However, most of the stock is reaching the age when its building systems are nearing the end of their useful life.

A recent random sample survey of residents of seven public housing sites obtained the following responses:

60% - Need for improved recreational opportunities for youth
24% - Expressed interest in adult educational opportunities
57% - HAP should spend resources on both the housing site and surrounding immediate area
65% - Need more information about nearby community activities
37% - Maintenance responded to the needs within 1 week of their request
52% - Maintenance did not respond quickly enough
33% - Stated that drug use is a problem in and around their development
37% - Stated gang activity is a problem
77% - Disapproved of weekly use of alcohol by adults
60% - Recognized that HAP is concerned about substance abuse
40% - Have been affected by violence in and around their development
72% - Stated their housing development was a safe place to live.

Lead-Based Paint

See the Multnomah County consortium consolidated plan.

Other Issues

Among the 77 largest cities in the U.S. Portland ranks:

• 20th in population
• 24th in crime rate
• 37th in density
• 45th in median household income
• 59th in unemployment rate
• 52nd in % below poverty

Coordination

See Multnomah County Consortium consolidated plan.

Vision for Change

The statement of the vision of the plan is;

"We envision Portland as a vital community of health, stable neighborhoods in which people of all cultures choose to live and make a personal investment. We envision neighborhoods which foster an atmosphere of community, which support residents' abilities to meet their needs and those of their families, and provide for the basic needs of those who are unable to care for themselves fully."

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

• The production of housing goals should be closely linked to capacity building, especially for nonprofit organizations.
• Target deepest subsidies to programs which serve the lowest income populations.
• Support the deconcentration of poverty.
• Support, maintain and develop affordable housing stock in support of revitalizing distressed neighborhoods.

Housing Priorities

• Provide a balanced continuum of housing programs for home ownership, rental and special needs.
• Target deepest subsidies to programs which serve the lowest income populations.
• Support the deconcentration of poverty.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

• Target deepest subsidies to programs which serve the lowest income populations.
• Support the deconcentration of poverty.
• Assist targeted communities to achieve their economic development goals.
• Foster neighborhood revitalization in targeted neighborhoods.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Move toward creating a highly skilled and competitive work force and increasing per capita income. Action: Bring together employment and training partners with existing business organizations to leverage resources to increase employment opportunities for target populations. Reduce unemployment in target neighborhoods of Portland. Action: Increase the number of North/ Northeast target area residents placed in jobs by 200 for the next 5 years.

Tailor the City of Portland's economic and work force development initiatives to increase the jobs available. Action. Work with economic development partners, such as Oregon Economic Development Department, Tri-Met and the Port, to deliver jobs to targeted neighborhoods. Continue the First Source policy which requires that firms receiving financial assistance form the City hire qualified candidates referred through JobNet, the City work force development network. For City government jobs, the City will expand hiring and training in targeted neighborhoods.

Action: Cut the gap between the city and the region in half in 20 years (current gap is 44%). Cut in half the gap between neighborhoods with high unemployment rates and the city's unemployment as a whole (current gap is 113%).

Housing and Community Development Resources

HOME - $3,678,000 (funds are spent throughout Multnomah County, including Portland); CDBG $12,475,000 and $3,810,000 CDBG income; ESG 420,000; HOPWA 723,000 (HOPWA funds are used throughout a six county area including and surrounding Portland and Multnomah County); General Fund $1,470,152; Total $22,576,152. There are also public Housing assistance and Section 8 housing vouchers and certificates. (See the part of this summary entitled Public and Assisted Housing Needs. Finally, since Portland has been designated an Enterprise Community it will be receiving $2,900,000 in new Social Service Block Grant Funds and certain tax incentives in the designated area, as well as preferential treatment in competition for other federal funds.

Description of Key Projects

• Facade improvement - $329,000
• MLK Development Opportunity Strategy - $210, 764
• Job Net - $500,201
• Community Economic Development - $1,040,208
• Work force Development - $485,632
• Street Improvement - $1,245,977
• Park Improvement - $154,500
• Nonprofit Public Facilities Service Area - $252,089
• Homeless shelter, treatment and counseling - $2,200,000
• Employment, training and support services - $525,803
• Community Service - $225,124
• Prevention Service areas ( working with youth and schools) - $261,888
• Outreach, education and alternative activities programs - $1,275,000
• Neighborhood focused services and initiatives - $809,84
• Citizens participation - $79,008
• Design assistance, financial and construction technical assistance, and other technical assistance - $83,425

Locations

Some programs serve low income persons wherever they live. However, the neighborhood revitalization programs are provided in neighborhoods where 51% of the residents are low and moderate income (below 80% of an area's median income). Some of these target areas include: North Denver Avenue and surrounding areas (Kenton); the area around Untank Park (Boise); Walnut Park development and surrounding area (King); North Killinsworth Street and surrounding area (Humbolt); Villa deClara Vista apartments and surrounding area (Cully); Belmont Street and surrounding area (Sunnyside); 92nd and Foster Avenue commercial node (Lents); and Harney Park/ Brentwood- Darlington Community Center development areas (Brentwood- Darlington).

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.

MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

Marjorie M. Ille,
Planner
Department of Planning
Housing Authority of Portland
135 Sw. Ash Street
Portland, OR 97204
Ph: (503) 273-4515 or (503) 823-2352