Portland Committee Approves $56 Million for Social Housing, Rent Aid and Eviction Defense
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland’s Housing and Permitting Committee this week approved a $56 million funding package to prioritize a new housing development, rent assistance, and legal aid for tenants facing eviction.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Where The Housing Package Money Came From
$20.7M
Rental service office fees
$19.7M
Short term rental and lodging tax sub funds
$10.7M
Construction excise tax sub funds
$4.8M
River District tax increment financing
Source: City of Portland ordinance 2026-125 and Keep Portland Housed press release
Dailytidings.com
The funding package includes:
- $21.8 million for ‘social housing,’ a form of government-owned living units to ease the city’s critical shortage of affordable housing
- $9 million for rent assistance
- $8.8 million to pay landlords’ affordable housing debt in exchange for lower rents or improved security
- $8.6 million for the city’s general fund
- $4.8 million for the construction of 230 low-income housing units along the Broadway Corridor
- $1.9 million to defend eviction notices.
The committee also allocated $800,000 for down payments by tenants wanting to become homeowners, and $200,000 to help landlords implement education campaigns and protection services for low-income tenants.
The decision must be ratified by the Portland City Council.