Affordable housing bond program | Metro

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Learn how Metro is making progress toward new affordable homes across the greater Portland region.

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Read the story report

“Building for belonging” tells the stories of people who recently moved into new affordable homes across greater Portland – and how the regional affordable housing bond is outpacing promises made to voters in 2018. Stories, photos, graphs and maps bring to life the meaning of affordable housing, and invite celebration of this important milestone: the first bond-funded homes have opened! And more are being built every day.

Read the story report

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Learn more about supportive housing

In May 2020, voters in greater Portland approved a measure that will raise money for supportive housing services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing houselessness. These services will end chronic homelessness in greater Portland.

Learn more about supportive housing

Metro Housing video

Watch a short video explaining the mission of Metro's supportive housing services fund and housing bond, and how they work together to address homelessness across greater Portland.

Metro Housing video

Four story apartment building with shrubery in the foreground

Learn more about equitable housing

Metro’s Equitable Housing Initiative convened local and national experts to research and coordinate on funding and investment solutions to the affordable housing crisis.

Learn more about equitable housing

The number of new affordable homes needed in greater Portland could be the equivalent of an entire city: According to the most recent data from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, we are almost 90,000 homes short for households making 50% or less of the Area Median Income ($56,400 for a household of four). Rents in greater Portland have risen swiftly in recent years – much faster than incomes – pricing out especially Black, Indigenous and other people of color, immigrants, veterans, people with disabilities and other low-income renters. More people need affordable housing, and there is not enough to meet the demand.

Decision-makers in greater Portland have recognized that a housing crisis of the magnitude we are facing needs a regional response. In 2018, Metro partnered with local cities and counties to engage the community and ask voters to support the creation of new affordable housing in the region. The resulting voter-approved bond generates $652.8 million and will create homes for approximately 14,000 people – 2,000 more than its initial goal.

Now Metro collaborates with local cities and counties to fund and create new affordable housing and to provide supportive housing services. When people have ample, truly affordable housing options to choose from in each neighborhood across the region, everyone benefits.

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Housing news

Alongside Senior Housing opens, bringing new affordable homes to Tigard

Nov. 15, 2023 2:19 p.m.

New apartment community Alongside Senior Housing in Tigard received over $6 million in Metro affordable housing bond funds and will provide homes for 57 senior households.
Good Shepherd Village in Happy Valley marks the 1,000th completed Metro bond home

Nov. 7, 2023 1:08 p.m.

The opening of Good Shepherd Village in Happy Valley marks the 1,000th completed Metro bond home.
Permanent supportive housing transforms lives across greater Portland

By Lauren Everett
Oct. 11, 2023 4:14 p.m.

Pairing affordable homes built with funds from Metro's affordable housing bond with services paid for by Metro's supportive housing services fund has created more permanent supportive housing across greater Portland. These homes support people who have experienced chronic homelessness and have at least one disability.
Helen's story

By Lauren Everett
Aug. 9, 2023 11:12 a.m.

Helen moved into the Metro affordable housing bond-funded Fuller Station Apartments about a year ago, where she is preparing to welcome her first foster child. The complex's affordable rent is essential for Helen to live in the Portland area on her salary in the social services sector.
Rose's story

By Lauren Everett
July 27, 2023 4:17 p.m.

After years of paying unaffordable market rents in an apartment that was too small for her and her family, now Rose is paying an affordable rent with the space her family needs to thrive at the Metro bond-funded apartment complex, Terrace Glen.
Terrace Glen Apartments brings more affordable homes to Tigard

June 30, 2023 10:59 a.m.

This Thursday, the Housing Authority of Washington County and Related Northwest hosted a celebration to mark the opening of Terrace Glen Apartments in Tigard. The new development brings 144 affordable apartment homes to the area. Metro’s housing bond paid for $17.5 million and Metro’s transit-oriented development program (TOD) paid for $500,000 of the $51.2 million building.

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