ARTICLE
Portland’s decision to waive SDCs on residential construction has been a boon to new home development in the City. Recent staff presentations to the Portland City Council estimated as many as 1200 units came in for permitting during the first six months of the program, a sizeable increase over the 800 units that were permitted in all of 2024. The HBA has been working to address an unintended impact the program has had on builders developing a for sale product under the City’s Affordable Housing SDC Exemption Program. With SDCs now waived, these builders found their buyers subject to income verification costs and review timelines while market rate homes at the same price point were now available without similar constraints. After advocacy from the HBA and our members a minor code fix to remove income verification requirements on these homes for the duration of the citywide SDC waiver is planned this spring with the City Council. Portland builders engaged in the HBAs Portland Building and Urban Development (PBUD) group can expect updates as the hearing is scheduled and opportunities to provide input are available.
Portland’s decision to waive SDCs on residential construction has been a boon to new home development in the City. Recent staff presentations to the Portland City Council estimated as many as 1200 units came in for permitting during the first six months of the program, a sizeable increase over the 800 units that were permitted in all of 2024.
The HBA has been working to address an unintended impact the program has had on builders developing a for sale product under the City’s Affordable Housing SDC Exemption Program. With SDCs now waived, these builders found their buyers subject to income verification costs and review timelines while market rate homes at the same price point were now available without similar constraints. After advocacy from the HBA and our members a minor code fix to remove income verification requirements on these homes for the duration of the citywide SDC waiver is planned this spring with the City Council.
Portland builders engaged in the HBAs Portland Building and Urban Development (PBUD) group can expect updates as the hearing is scheduled and opportunities to provide input are available.