The Portland Housing Bureau was excited to receive word today that Portland has been selected to receive a $3 million Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   These funds ensure that PHB can continue its successful Lead Hazard Control program and mitigate lead hazard risks in 300 additional homes occupied by low-income families with children.  PHB is proud of the great work accomplished through this program with partnership with Multnomah County, Healthy Homes Coalition of Multnomah County, Community Energy Project, Community Alliance of Tenants, Fair Housing Council of Oregon and Growing Gardens.

“The majority of housing units in Portland were built before 1978 when lead paint was banned and the City of Portland appreciates the continued support of HUD for the valuable programs that help children to stay healthy in their homes.” – Andrea Matthiessen, Neighborhood Housing Program Manager

This is the sixth Lead Hazard Reduction grant received by the City of Portland.  The previous $19 million in grant funds have increased the health and safety of 3,310 low-income children in 1,636 homes. 

The full notice from HUD can be found here.  

The last two public hearings about the proposed FY 2013-14 budget are coming up. Click here to learn about the Mayor's proposed budget and voice your opinion at a public hearing:

• From 3 to 5 p.m. May 18 at Warner Pacific College, 2219 S.E. 68^th Ave.
• From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 23 at Jackson Middle School, 10625 S.W. 35^th Ave.

Portland Housing Bureau Director Traci Manning and PHB staff helped welcome the Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES) into its new home yesterday. SAFES staff held a celebration for its return to a beautifully renovated Harbor Light Center. The space provides shelter for more than 50 women each night. 

The Portland Housing Bureau is proud to partner with SAFES, which is a critical part of the Safety Net. SAFES operates roughly one third of our city’s emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Charlie Hales and the Portland City Council demonstrated their commitment to SAFES. In the face of very difficult City budgeting choices, Mayor Hales has proposed a budget that provides ongoing funding for this and other crucial safety net services.

On any given night, more than 780 women are homeless in Multnomah County and these women are subject to unique risks. Thirty-five percent of homeless women surveyed in our one-night count of homelessness reported being affected by domestic violence. We believe that is a significant undercount. National studies indicate that a significant percentage of homeless women have experienced domestic or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Up to half of homeless women say that domestic or sexual violence was an immediate cause of their homelessness. Women of color are particularly vulnerable. They are over represented on the street.

SAFES is sheltering and providing support services for some of our city’s most vulnerable citizens. Their work, in partnership with the City of Portland, has helped to move SAFES from solely providing shelter—in itself, an important goal—to also preventing and ending homelessness with rapid rehousing.

Living in a home is the foundation to safety and stability for all vulnerable Portlanders. We welcome SAFES into a new home and know it will lead to new homes for the women it serves.

Portland Housing Bureau partnered with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to develop a series of maps that reflect opportunity within Portland. The maps are part of a project called the Portland Housing Growth and Opportunity Analysis. They were designed based on indicators identified by the Coalition for a Livable Future and preliminary feedback from our Technical Advisory Committee.

We recognize that Portland’s communities of color are disproportionately impacted by issues of poverty and access to opportunity. The project helped illustrate a new thinking about public participation in planning projects. In the last six months, the Technical Advisory Committee has brought people from different communities and professional backgrounds to the table. We also engaged the Diversity and Civic Leadership (DCL) program, through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, to facilitate focus groups among communities of color and immigrant communities.

“I really appreciate having the DCL. If we didn’t have an organized partnership, I suspect that our voices would still be overlooked,” said Donita Fry. Donita is a DCL member as the Portland Youth and Elders Council Coordinator for the Native American Youth and Family Center, known as NAYA. “We are the experts because we are the community. Who knows better what our priorities are than our families and community members?”

The DCL program consists of members from The Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), NAYA’s Portland Youth & Elders Council, The Urban League of Portland, Latino Network and Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization.

"Latino Network uses a cultural lens when presenting the Opportunity Maps to our community. The information sharing and gathering has increased interest and trust for the City's housing work, which is critical in a time of changing demographics for Portland,” said Nancy Ramirez Arriaga, a DCL member and Program Director for Latino Network’s Leadership and Civic Engagement program. “We are confident that when integrated, the voice and contributions of Latinos and other ethnic communities can lead to more sustainable and equitable living conditions for all Portland residents."

The third annual One Year Action Plan is available for viewing and public comments until June 16. Comments on any of the jurisdiction priorities may be made in writing to Portland Housing Bureau, Attn: Con Plan Staff, 421 S.W. Six^th Ave., Suite 500, Portland, OR 97204; by e-mail to Kim.McCarty@portlandoregon.gov; or by phone at 503-823-5312 (TDD 503-823-6868). Comments can be submitted online at www.portlandonline.com/phb/conplan or you can use this comment form. Comments must be received by June 16. Click FY 2013-2014 Action Plans online to view the draft. Paper drafts are available at local library branches or the Portland Housing Bureau. Any submitted comments will be published in the third One-Year Action Plan FY 2013-2014. View this hearing notice for additional dates.