ARTICLE
HBA has been working with the Portland Housing Bureau and affordable housing developers to address internal challenges that could undermine affordable housing delivery. In the wake of a three-year SDC moratorium on new residential development in the city, current affordable projects find themselves saddled with income verification requirements that add cost to both the developer and future residents. Market rate homes built after the SDC waiver goes into effect will not be subject to these requirments. Since the primary incentive for affordable housing was the SDC waiver, the current structure is no longer financially viable without further program adjustments to aid affordable projects. On Friday, September 19th, HBA members and staff met with Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich to discuss the issue. The conversation focused on the challenges the SDC waiver presents for deed-restricted affordable units already in the construction pipeline and how the program can provide new incentives in light of recent policy changes. We’ve also received updates on the implementation of the SDC waiver in Portland from the Permitting and Development Department. After some initial struggles to accommodate the quick change in assessing fees, Portland has received over 950 requests for new construction under the waiver program, the majority of these applications are for single family homes. A 150-unit multifamily building is the largest project to apply to the program.
HBA has been working with the Portland Housing Bureau and affordable housing developers to address internal challenges that could undermine affordable housing delivery. In the wake of a three-year SDC moratorium on new residential development in the city, current affordable projects find themselves saddled with income verification requirements that add cost to both the developer and future residents. Market rate homes built after the SDC waiver goes into effect will not be subject to these requirments. Since the primary incentive for affordable housing was the SDC waiver, the current structure is no longer financially viable without further program adjustments to aid affordable projects. On Friday, September 19th, HBA members and staff met with Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich to discuss the issue. The conversation focused on the challenges the SDC waiver presents for deed-restricted affordable units already in the construction pipeline and how the program can provide new incentives in light of recent policy changes.
We’ve also received updates on the implementation of the SDC waiver in Portland from the Permitting and Development Department. After some initial struggles to accommodate the quick change in assessing fees, Portland has received over 950 requests for new construction under the waiver program, the majority of these applications are for single family homes. A 150-unit multifamily building is the largest project to apply to the program.