Affordable housing bond program

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

Close up of a woman with red hair, smiling in front of an apartment building

“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

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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 ($53,250 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 12,000 people.

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

Heartwood Commons brings new affordable homes to Aloha

April 21, 2023 9 a.m.

The residents of the latest completed building in the Metro affordable housing bond program will also receive assistance paid for through the Metro supportive housing services fund.
Hattie Redmond Apartments celebrates grand opening

April 11, 2023 1:06 p.m.

Representatives from Metro and its partner agencies gathered on Tuesday, April 4 to celebrate the grand opening of the Hattie Redmond Apartments in North Portland’s Kenton neighborhood. This new apartment community will provide 60 permanent, stable homes with services for people who have experienced homelessness. The project is funded in part by Metro’s affordable housing bond, with services paid for by Metro’s supportive housing services fund.
Where all roads converge: housing case management

By Lauren Everett
Nov. 14, 2022 9:50 a.m.

Michael Davis is a housing case manager for the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in Washington County. He not only connects people with housing and rent assistance, he helps them with many other aspects of their life.
Finding home at the Viewfinder: Tonya and Charlene

By Lauren Everett
Oct. 18, 2022 1:45 p.m.

Two moms and their families are looking to the future after finding stable and affordable housing at the Viewfinder, one of the first apartment communities that uses Metro affordable housing bond funding to open.
Rockwood Village: Gresham’s newest affordable apartment community

By Lauren Everett
July 26, 2022 2:20 p.m.

Rockwood Village was the first development with Metro housing bond funding to welcome residents, and it hosted a grand opening celebration on July 19th. Thanks to collaborative efforts between the City of Gresham, Metro, Multnomah County, and other nonprofit and private sector partners, this new apartment community brings 224 income-regulated apartments to the Rockwood Town Center area.
Metro’s affordable housing bond program on track to deliver promises to voters

July 19, 2022 5 p.m.

This week, Metro released the annual affordable housing bond report. The report includes details about bond housing production across the region in 2021, showing significant progress toward delivering on promises made to voters.