Increasing affordable housing in Portland, Oregon, requires a multi-faceted approach that involves various strategies, policies, and collaborations between government entities, private developers, and community organizations. Here are some key steps to increase affordable housing in Portland:

1. Expand Funding and Financial Incentives
Public Subsidies: Increase direct public subsidies through state and local bonds, tax increment financing (TIF), and other funding sources to support the construction of affordable housing units.
Tax Incentives: Expand programs like the Multiple-Unit Limited Tax Exemption (MULTE) and Homebuyer Opportunity Limited Tax Exemption (HOLTE) to incentivize developers to build mixed-income housing, including units affordable to those earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC): Maximize the use of federal LIHTC to finance affordable housing projects.
Development Fee Waivers: Offer fee reductions or waivers for developers who include affordable units in their projects.
2. Streamline Zoning and Permitting Processes
Zoning Changes: Update zoning codes to allow higher density developments in areas with strong public transit and amenities, making it easier to build affordable housing.
Expedited Permitting: Prioritize and expedite the permitting process for affordable housing projects to reduce construction timelines and costs.
Inclusionary Zoning: Strengthen and enforce inclusionary zoning policies that require a percentage of new housing developments to be affordable.
3. Leverage Public and Private Partnerships
Public Land Utilization: Identify and use publicly owned land for affordable housing developments, offering it at low or no cost to developers who commit to building affordable units.
Private Sector Collaboration: Partner with private developers, non-profits, and community organizations to co-develop affordable housing projects, leveraging private capital with public support.
Faith-Based and Non-Profit Properties: Support the development of affordable housing on properties owned by faith-based and non-profit organizations through financial and regulatory incentives.
4. Increase Supply of Affordable Units
New Construction: Fund and build new affordable housing units, particularly for households earning below 60% AMI.
Adaptive Reuse: Convert existing commercial buildings and underutilized properties into affordable housing units, taking advantage of underused spaces in the city.
Preservation of Existing Affordable Housing: Invest in preserving existing affordable housing units, preventing them from transitioning to market-rate housing through programs like the Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance.
5. Support Services and Programs
Rent Assistance Programs: Expand rent assistance programs to help low-income families stay in their homes and prevent homelessness.
Housing Navigation Services: Improve access to services that assist low-income residents in finding and securing affordable housing.
Long-Term Affordability: Use tools like community land trusts and long-term affordability covenants to ensure that affordable housing remains affordable for the long term.
6. Advocacy and Policy Change
State and Federal Advocacy: Advocate for increased state and federal funding and policy changes that support affordable housing development, including reforms to the housing voucher system.
Tenant Protections: Strengthen tenant protections to prevent displacement and ensure housing stability, including rent control measures and eviction protections.
7. Innovative Housing Solutions
Modular and Prefabricated Housing: Explore modular and prefabricated housing as cost-effective and time-efficient ways to produce affordable units.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Encourage the development of ADUs by providing grants or low-interest loans to homeowners who agree to rent them at affordable rates.
8. Community Engagement and Education
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate the public about the importance of affordable housing and build community support for new developments.
Equitable Development: Ensure that affordable housing initiatives consider the needs and voices of low-income and minority communities to prevent gentrification and displacement.
By implementing these strategies, Portland can significantly increase the availability of affordable housing and ensure that more residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.