Affordable Housing & Homelessness
(6) The Tamarack: Proposed Affordable Housing For Veterans
A major goal of the 1972 Downtown Plan was to increase the supply of housing for all income groups (2). The plan lays out guidelines for the housing authority to develop subsidized housing for low-income groups, seniors, and minority groups who desire to live downtown (2). The city revisits affordable housing again in the 1988 Central City Plan in Policy 3, Section E, which states, “Secure greater regional participation in addressing the housing needs of the homeless, low-income and other special needs populations” (3). Section C reiterates the affordable housing priority by encouraging development of a wide range of housing types and rent values (13).
The city has some unique challenges to overcome with housing homeless populations. Portland has a larger percentage of young homeless residents than other major metropolitan areas. This transition from older homeless individuals took place in the 1980’s when the homeless population of Portland grew from an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 individuals to nearly 7,000 by 1986 (4). One contributing factor to the dramatic increase in this time period was that urban renewal projects downtown were demolishing SRO buildings and a portion of those displaced remained downtown, only on the streets in the Skid Row District (4). A 1986 report by the Portland Bureau of Planning confirms that the SRO units went down 59% in those years (4). Adding to the difficulty was the fact that federal Section 8 funds were not allowed to help fund the rehabilitation of SRO housing. Since 1980, the Portland Development Commission has been able to add over 600 new SRO units by using federal funding options creatively (4). In downtown, the Portland Development Commission had created 1,000 new low-income units between 1978 and 1985, but they were mostly dedicated to senior citizens (4).
During Mayor Bud Clark’s time as Mayor of Portland, in 1985, he unveiled a comprehensive 12-point plan to combat homelessness in Portland (4). In the 1988 Central City Plan, the Portland Planning Commission outlined a goal of creating year-round shelter for the homeless population within five years as the highest concentrations of homeless residents reside downtown (3). Elements considered successful of the plan included comprehensive planning, retaining and expanding low-income housing, a new multi-service center in the Skid Row District, and the encouragement of local businesses to hire homeless Portland residents (4). The plan received criticism for the major focus of combatting public drunkenness by the administration and not on philanthropic motivations. The response to homelessness that Portland employs is widely considered the most progressive in the nation.
As pictured above, a project in the South Waterfront neighborhood is still looking for funding to begin the 49.5 million affordable housing projects set to give affordable housing to veterans (6).
The city has some unique challenges to overcome with housing homeless populations. Portland has a larger percentage of young homeless residents than other major metropolitan areas. This transition from older homeless individuals took place in the 1980’s when the homeless population of Portland grew from an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 individuals to nearly 7,000 by 1986 (4). One contributing factor to the dramatic increase in this time period was that urban renewal projects downtown were demolishing SRO buildings and a portion of those displaced remained downtown, only on the streets in the Skid Row District (4). A 1986 report by the Portland Bureau of Planning confirms that the SRO units went down 59% in those years (4). Adding to the difficulty was the fact that federal Section 8 funds were not allowed to help fund the rehabilitation of SRO housing. Since 1980, the Portland Development Commission has been able to add over 600 new SRO units by using federal funding options creatively (4). In downtown, the Portland Development Commission had created 1,000 new low-income units between 1978 and 1985, but they were mostly dedicated to senior citizens (4).
During Mayor Bud Clark’s time as Mayor of Portland, in 1985, he unveiled a comprehensive 12-point plan to combat homelessness in Portland (4). In the 1988 Central City Plan, the Portland Planning Commission outlined a goal of creating year-round shelter for the homeless population within five years as the highest concentrations of homeless residents reside downtown (3). Elements considered successful of the plan included comprehensive planning, retaining and expanding low-income housing, a new multi-service center in the Skid Row District, and the encouragement of local businesses to hire homeless Portland residents (4). The plan received criticism for the major focus of combatting public drunkenness by the administration and not on philanthropic motivations. The response to homelessness that Portland employs is widely considered the most progressive in the nation.
As pictured above, a project in the South Waterfront neighborhood is still looking for funding to begin the 49.5 million affordable housing projects set to give affordable housing to veterans (6).
Urban Renewal
The number of housing units in the central city core decreased from 28,000 to 11,000 from 1950 to 1970 mostly from urban renewal projects (2). In the seventies, urban renewal objectives displaced housing units and residents and favored trends of new high-income housing. The Northwest saw a lesser rate of growth in the 1970’s than other west coast regions, and in turn, urban renewal had a lesser impact on Portland. By the late 70’s and early 80’s, Portland focused urban renewal projects on preserving the historic neighborhoods and vital downtown (5). Portland was lucky to not fall victim to some of the large urban renewal projects that have now been largely consider failures of their time period like Pruitt-Igoe or the Robert Taylor Homes. The downtown of Portland would see reductions in SRO units to make way for urban renewal projects, which added to a 200% increase in the homeless population in downtown during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s (4).
More On Urban Renewal Effects On Portland
More On Urban Renewal Effects On Portland
Senior Housing
Senior citizens play a key role in planning for downtown residential housing. Senior citizens are not only a stable tax base, they are also passionate about the vitality of their neighborhood. Seniors are drawn to urban areas for the accessibility of vital services and the proximity to downtown activities. Portland addresses the importance of senior housing in the downtown area in the 1972 Downtown Plan and the 1988 Central City Plan.
1. (Image) http://cdncontent.edgemm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/MG
2. Portland Bureau of Planning.Downtown plan: planning guidelines/Portland downtown plan, as adopted by City Council, December 1972.. Portland: The Committee, 1972.
3. Portland Bureau of Planning.Central city plan: adopted by the Portland City Council March 24, 1988. Portland: The Bureau, 1988.
4. Momeni, Jamshid A..Homelessness in the United States. New York: Greenwood Press, 19891990.
5. Abbott, Carl. Portland: planning, politics, and growth in a twentieth-century city. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983.
6. Weinstein, Nathalie. "South Waterfront tackles affordable housing void | Daily Journal of Commerce." Daily Journal of Commerce. http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/03/03/south-waterfront-tackles-housing-void-redv/ (accessed March 1, 2013).
2. Portland Bureau of Planning.Downtown plan: planning guidelines/Portland downtown plan, as adopted by City Council, December 1972.. Portland: The Committee, 1972.
3. Portland Bureau of Planning.Central city plan: adopted by the Portland City Council March 24, 1988. Portland: The Bureau, 1988.
4. Momeni, Jamshid A..Homelessness in the United States. New York: Greenwood Press, 19891990.
5. Abbott, Carl. Portland: planning, politics, and growth in a twentieth-century city. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983.
6. Weinstein, Nathalie. "South Waterfront tackles affordable housing void | Daily Journal of Commerce." Daily Journal of Commerce. http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/03/03/south-waterfront-tackles-housing-void-redv/ (accessed March 1, 2013).
Anthony Monaco