With the Portland City Council less than three weeks away from establishing historic housing policy guidelines for the allocation of urban renewal funds, Affordable Housing NOW! is asking supporters to demonstrate broad support for the 30% urban renewal housing set aside by turning out for two key public forms. 

On October 11, the Portland Development Commission Board of Commissioners will approve their recommended policy implementation strategy.  On October 18, the Portland City Council will vote on a final implementation plan for a 30% set aside for affordable housing at Portland City Hall. 

Support for a set aside remains strong among Council champions Erik Sten, Sam Adams and Randy Leonard. Further, in the past four weeks there has been an emerging consensus among the Council as a whole as well as from the PDC Commission that a 30% set aside policy is the right direction for the City’s re-development agency. Crucial details, such as allocation guidelines to assure funding will be directed to meet the housing need of the lowest income Portlanders and how the policy will be enforced, remain unresolved.

Help Commissioners Sten, Adams and Leonard pass an urban renewal set aside that meets our most urgent housing needs by attending the October 11 PDC meeting and the October 18 City Council session.

The October 11 PDC Board of Commissioners will be held at the PDC offices (222 NW 5^th Ave) 3:30 pm. The October 18, 2006 City Councii meeting will be held at City Council chambers (Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4^th Ave) at 9:30 a.m..

For more information on the set aside, click here, or contact Michael Anderson via email or at (503) 335-9884.

Affordable Housing NOW! is a coalition of over 40 organizations and hundreds of individuals whose goals are to secure new resources for affordable housing for the Portland Metro area by building a movement large enough to make funding for affordable housing for people with low incomes a political priority in the Metro area. To learn more about Affordable Housing NOW!, go to: http://www.cdnportland.org/ahn.html

Portland’s Pending Housing Set Aside Draws National Attention

Portland’s pending passage of urban renewal set aside for affordable housing was the front page story in the Housing Trust Fund Project News Summer 2006 addition.  Published by the Center for Community Change, Housing Trust Fund Project News reports on housing trusts fund throughout the nation, and the efforts to create and implement such funds.  Though Portland’s proposed 30% set aside is not currently connected to a housing trust fund, the Center for Community Change interest in local and state efforts to secure dollars for affordable housing made Portland’s efforts to establish a set aside very news-worthy.

The set aside, which will come before the Portland City Council on Wednesday, October 18, will generate roughly $23 million annually for affordable housing, an average increase of almost $9 annually from urban renewal expenditures on housing since July 1, 1998.    

430 Celebrate CDC Accomplishments at CDN Annual Awards Banquet

“Putting the Pieces Together” was the theme 2006 CDN Annual Awards banquet. 430 CDC staff and board members, elected officials, representatives from state and local government, members of the lending and legal communities, architects, private developers and contractors, as well as other industry partners enjoyed an evening of recounting achievements in community development in the past year.

The highlight of the evening was the featured speaker, Donna Beegle of Communication Across Barriers.  As MC Ryan Deckert, Oregon State Senator, said in his introduction, "Donna's story and work are awe inspiring."  That story is being featured in an upcoming television documentary, "Invisible Nation" and Donna was able to show us a segment of it.  Look for the full production, Fall 2007, on Frontline.  You can also read more in Donna’s new book, “See Poverty, Be the Difference.”

Among the many individuals and organizations acknowledged in the award ceremony, the presentation of the Industry Partner Award to Portland Commissioner Erik Sten, and the Gretchen Miller Kafoury Award to Northwest Housing Alternatives executive director Martha McLennan drew the largest response from the banquet hall.

The Industry Partner Award to goes an organization or individual that is an invaluable partner in strengthening nonprofit community development organizations or helping provide a collective voice for healthy, diverse communities.  As CDN executive director Sam Chase said, Erik “has been the driver behind securing $19 million for the Housing Investment Fund …” and “led the charge to shape and move forward the current 30% Set Aside for affordable housing…” Recognizing Erik at the Awards Banquet was long overdue.

The same could be said for Martha McLennan receiving the Gretchen Miller Kafoury Award. The Gretchen Miller Kafoury Award is a "Lifetime Achievement" award for outstanding long-term work in the field of community development.   Martha is one of the most treasured members of the CDN community.  Her track record in affordable housing, in the many venues where she has worked in the past few decades, is well deserving of public recognition.  Martha is young to have received this award, but has a body of accomplishments worthy of the honor.  We look for much more from her in the future.

A full list of award recipients is as follows:

The Washington Mutual Award for Property and Asset Management Best Practices: Housing Development Center. The Washington Mutual Award for "Property and Asset Management Best Practices" is awarded annually to a CDN member organization for outstanding and innovative achievements in the field. This award honors the CDC that, during the last two years, has shown particular merit in the field of property and asset management, for example, working through a troubled acquisition-rehab project, developing new tracking systems or other innovations.  The nomination read, "The Housing Development Center has done more to cultivate and promote a professional approach to asset management than any organization in the Portland area. They have worked tirelessly with CDN members to review current portfolios and projects, to creatively restructure them when necessary, and to establish systems, policies and procedures at the development stage which will ensure long term success. They have literally “written the book” on how to analyze capital needs and how to manage a host of funder and regulatory compliance requirements. They have put difficult concepts not only into words, but into pictures, diagrams, and other teaching tools which have influenced individual CDCs as well as the broader industry. Projects, project sponsors, and our entire industry performs better today because of the innovation and dedication of HDC staff, including Robin, Rob, Carolyn, Craig, Melinda and everyone else on their team!”

Gilman Award: Central City Concern for its Housing Response Team. The Gilman Award is presented to a community development organization to honor a special event or program occurring within the past two years that highlights extraordinary innovation and positive impact.   Housing Response Team is an innovative partnership between social services and the police, with support from both the City and the downtown business community, has helped solve the problem of homeless people with addictions cycling through the criminal justice system.

The Golden Hammer Award: HOST Development for homes on Blocks 2 and 4 of New Columbia.  The Golden Hammer is presented in honor of a housing project, completed within the past two years, that best demonstrates the ideals of affordability, quality of design, livability, community revitalization or service integration. In all, HOST will build 81 affordable homes at New Columbia.

The People’s Program Award: Hacienda CDC for its Micro Mercantes Program. The People’s Program Award is presented in honor of an outstanding program that effectively addresses the needs of low income families or individuals through stabilizing housing, providing employment or skills training, increasing income or assets, supporting innovative solutions to family or neighborhood problems, offering homeownership opportunities, developing programs for children and youth, reaching un- or under- served populations, or implementing creative solutions to other community needs.  In two market days a month, Hacienda’s Micro Mercantes vendors net enough profit to cover their monthly rent.

2006 Star Players

Tamara Trofimenko, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives

E.V. Armitage, Central City Concern

Martin Soloway, Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Tim Leslie, LHL Homes, Portland Habitat for Humanity

Maria Gastelum, Hacienda CDC

Joe Vennes, Housing Northwest

Deborah Johnson, HOST Development

Nancy Secrest, Human Solutions

Jake Kirsch, Northwest Housing Alternatives

Kevin Kraus, REACH CDC

Sue Wiswell, ROSE CDC

Angie Harbin, Innovative Housing Inc

Marilyn Sykes, Sabin CDC

Carolyn O'Doherty, Housing Development Center

Jim Hlava, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare

For more information about the awards and award history, click here.

In addition to traditional awards given out at the banquet, Sam Chase took a moment to recognize the work of two of our local elected officials as they leave office this year: Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn and Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz.  Among her accomplishments, Diane co-signed the "10-Year Plan to End Homelessness", elevated the position of County Housing Director to the Chair's Office, led the charge to gift the County's Martha Washington building to a use that would help alleviate chronic homelessness, and supported the use of Strategic Investment Program funding for affordable housing.  Serena championed the allocation of $1 million in County resources to fund the first Bridges to Housing programs, was a key organizer of Portland's Project Homeless Connect, and through the Board of Neighborhood Partnership Fund serves as liaison to the Housing and Community Development Commission.

The Community Development Network would like to thank all of the Banquet Sponsors:

Our Diamond Sponsor: WaMu.

Emerald Sponsors: Bateman Seidel Miner Blomgren Chellis & Gram, Enterprise, Gales Creek Insurance Services, Housing Northwest, Income Property Management, National Equity Fund, and Portland Development Commission.

Ruby Sponsors: Bureau of Housing and Community Development, Carleton Hart Architects, Cascade Management, Holland & Knight, Key Bank, Seabold Construction, Walsh Construction, William Wilson Architects and Homestead Capital.

Topaz Sponsors: Bank of America, HAP, Housing Development Center, Miller Nash, NOAH, Portland Bureau of Planning, Tom Walsh & Co, US Bank, and Wells Fargo.

A special thanks also goes out to the volunteers who committed their time and energy to the Awards Banquet Planning Committee: Kate Kealy, Tanya Wolfersperger, Dorene Warner, Kristen Godkin, Anastasia Howard, and Andrew Ayers. Without all of your hard work, the banquet would not been nearly as successful.  CDN greatly appreciates your help.

The 2007 Housing Opportunity Endorsement Contest is on! Help expand housing opportunity for Oregonians and win big bucks for your favorite housing organization! 

In order to help the Housing Alliance reach its goal for the 2007 Housing Opportunity Agenda Endorsement Campaign, and in the spirit of friendly competition, the Neighborhood Partnership Fund (courtesy of Enterprise Community Partners) is offering to donate $1,000 to the non-profit housing organization of choice of the individual who collects the most valid endorsements of our two lead agenda items between now and the Housing Alliance Congress on December 5 in Salem.  

What is the process?
It’s simple! Just email, fax or mail in the completed endorsement forms to the Housing Alliance c/o the Neighborhood Partnership Fund, Attn: Amy Fauver, 1020 SW Taylor Street, Suite 680, Portland, OR 97205 (or via email).

For more information on the endorsement campaign and for PDFs of the $100 million and Inclusionary Zoning endorsement forms, go to http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/alerts.html

Questions? Contact Michael Anderson at (503) 335-9884 or Amy Fauver at (503) 226-3001 x-102.

New Housing Alliance Tool Illustrates Affordability Challenges for Oregonians           

The Housing Alliance has just completed a great new tool for illustrating the affordability challenges hardworking families and people relying on fixed incomes for every Oregon County.  Similar to the What is Affordable Housing in the Tri-County Area income vs. rent comparison sheet developed by CDN, these easy to understand information sheets compare market rents and home sales costs with the incomes of seniors and people with disabilities on public assistance and the incomes of people earning wages working as a janitor, a bank teller, a nurse, a police officer, a teacher and in retail sales.  

To access information housing cost vs income information sheets, go to: http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/story_wages_v_housingcosts_x_County.html 

Please share this resource interested parties.

You are invited to the state Legislative Candidate Forum for Washington County on October 5, 2006 from 12:00-2:00pm at Beaverton City Hall, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Beaverton to discuss Affordable Housing Issues in Washington County.  At least 12 candidates for state House and Senate seats in Washington County will attend.

The Forum will be an opportunity for legislative candidates to talk with the public, housing providers, and government representatives about the need for affordable housing, how housing provides opportunities for hard-working people, and how elected officials can make a difference in the 2007 legislative session.  Two Washington county residents will tell their personal stories about how affordable housing made a difference in their lives.  Candidates can ask questions of the audience to get their housing questions answered, and attendees will share their concerns and ideas with candidates.

The facts:

> 1100 people were homeless in January 2006, 346 of these are children.

> 5000 people are on waiting lists for subsidized housing.

> 3400 households in Washington County are below the 50% median income and also have mobility or self-care limitations with some form of housing problem, often paying more than 30% of their income on housing, living in overcrowding, or lacking a kitchen or plumbing.

> Only 308 beds exist for those with mental illness, 256 beds for people with alcoholism or drug addiction.

Come meet some of the people who have succeeded with the help of affordable housing and the providers of housing options and services.  Bring your questions, concerns and hopes for a brighter future.

Portland Habitat Seeks Homeowners: Workshops on Oct 11, 14, 15

Portland Habitat for Humanity invites hard working families who would like to own their own home to attend the bi-annual Homeownership Application Meeting. People interested in becoming a Habitat homeowner must attend one of the three application meetings to receive an application. Mark your calendar because the next application meetings will not be held until spring of 2007.

Portland Habitat for Humanity Fall Homeownership Application Meeting Dates:

Concordia University in the Luther Hall, Room L121

2811 NE Holman St., Portland OR 97211, Bus Line #9, Parking at 27th and Holman

            * Wednesday, October 11^th, 6:30 pm – 8 pm  English

            * Saturday, October 14^th, 10:30 am – noon  English and Spanish

            * Sunday, October 15^th at 4:30 pm- 6pm  English and Vietnamese

Portland Habitat for Humanity provides homeownership opportunities to families that have decent credit history, steady income, are currently living in public subsidized or substandard housing, and earn 30% to 60% of the median household income (in the Portland area, the range is $20,350 to $40,750 per year for a family of four).

Portland Habitat for Humanity is a local nonprofit that builds partnerships with volunteers, families, and the community to transform lives and revitalize neighborhoods by enabling families in need to earn and own a simple, decent, affordable home. Portland Habitat is currently one of Portland’s only providers of homeownership opportunities to working families at 30%-60% median family income.

Portland Habitat for Humanity’s unique program sells each home with a zero-interest, 1% down payment mortgage. The homeowner’s mortgage payments—based on 25% of their income—pay into a revolving "Fund for Humanity" that is used to build more homes in the Portland area.For further information on the application meetings please contact Jaimi Coward at Portland Habitat for Humanity at 503-287-9529 ext. 22 or visit our website at www.pdxhabitat.org.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is an integrated design process involving many players in the green building industry. Responsibility on the LEED team falls on designer, builder, engineer, landscape architect, LEED consultant, and many more behind the scenes players and providers alike.  Each plays an important role in the design and construction phases, taking on key credits and responsibilities. The goal of this series is to provide students, young professionals and those new to the green building industry a window into the LEED process and how they can better prepare themselves for their future roles on the green building team. This is a series of 5 events, each focusing on a different role on the green building team.

For more information or to RSVP, click here!

Design Professional This event will reveal the designer’s role as creator and innovator, and demonstrate that LEED certification is all about the process. GBD Architects contributes to green design through integrated strategies, LEED synergies and innovative design features. GBD projects include the Downtown Brewery Blocks, the OHSU River Campus Building and the New Gerding Theater, Oregon's first LEED Platinum building! WHEN: WED OCT 11, 6PM WHERE: GBD Architects, 1120 NW Couch Suite 300, Portland OR Click here to RSVP!
 


Engineering Green This event will cover engineering specific LEED credits and green strategies for water conservation, increasing indoor air quality and energy efficiency in green buildings. Interface Engineering works with architects, owners and consultants to incorporate sustainable design factors into the mechanical and electrical design of each building. Interface projects include Clackamas High school, Hillsboro Civic Center, and the office of SERA Architects. WHEN: WED OCT 18, 6PM WHERE: Interface Engineering, 708 SW 3RD Suite 400, Portland OR Click here to RSVP!



TOUR: Construction Process This event will be an informative tour on the construction process and materials of  one of Barr’s green projects, PSU’s Epler Hall. Barrs & Genauer Construction is a GC specializing in residential and medium sized commercial and mixed-use projects focused on environmentally friendly design and construction.  Some of their projects include the New Walsh Construction Offices in Seattle and the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center (Ecotrust) here in Portland. WHEN: WED OCT 25, 12PM WHERE: Epler Hall, SW 11TH & Montgomery, Portland OR Click here to RSVP!



Landscape & Site Design At this event Pat Lando will demonstrate how site, water and nature play a major role in the LEED process. Lando & Associates is a landscaping design firm whose designs include post industrial and recycled materials married with natural systems such as native plant communities, vegetated roofs, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting.  LALA projects include South Park Seattle Public Library, and the Metro Headquarters Green Roof. WHEN: WED NOV 1, 6PM WHERE: Lando & Associates, Landscape Architects, 404 SE 6TH Ave, Portland OR Click here to RSVP!



Whole Building Design This event will show how the LEED certification process begins by demonstrating the benefits of an eco charrette and integrated design practices. Green Building Services is a green consulting firm dedicated to helping clients adopt green building and facility management practices. Their projects include the Gerding Theater  (new home of Portland Center Stage and Oregon's first Platinum building!), and Stoller Vineyards and Winery. WHEN: WED NOV 8, 6PM WHERE: Green Building Services, 133 SW 2ND Suite 201, Portland OR Click here to RSVP!


Clackamas Community Land Trust Celebration November 9

Come and be part of the buzz!  In addition to marking our seventh great year of providing permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to people of modest means, we will also have some Very Exciting News to Celebrate. 

Clackamas Community Land Trust Celebration

Thursday November 9th   7 pm – 9 pm

Earth Advantage National Center

16280 SW Boones Ferry Road in Portland.

Tickets are only $20!

Enjoy local, organic hors d’oeuvres, a hosted bar with local, organic beer and wine and splendid silent auction items!

Help CCLT make the most of this celebration!  Buy a block of tickets and bring your friends.  Donate a silent auction item or become a sponsor.  Volunteer opportunities abound.

To reserve tickets or for more info contact Nancy at 503.654.1007 x112 or Yuill@clackamasclt.org

Shared Wisdom from TechSoup: Top-Notch Free Software

The best things in life are free, the saying goes - and so is some of the best software. Here, nonprofit techies share their favorite free applications and how they've benefited from them. To read more, go to: http://ga0.org/ct/C116yKS1Gm-n/