The following information helps clients of the Portland Housing Bureau's (PHB) Home Repair Loan and Down Payment Assistance Loan  achieve a successful renovation project. While PHB also funds grants for the Portland Regional Lead Hazard Control Program, this program follows different rules and procedures that are unique to that program.  

General Information

Prior to beginning a PHB-funded renovation project, clients should become familiar with the following documents:

• Contractor Evaluation Criteria
• Construction Project Etiquette
• Healthy Homes Checklist
• Project Management Info Packet

About the Project Process

The following steps describe the typical flow of a Home Repair Loan project after the client has been approved for funding:

1. Client promptly signs and returns all necessary forms and documents to PHB
2. Client schedules a site visit with their assigned PHB Construction Coordinator
3. PHB prepares, and the client edits and approves, the project scope of work
4. Client obtains and forwards to PHB two or three bids from licensed and bonded contractors, which may or may not be PHB-Approved Contractors
5. Client reviews the bids with PHB and then makes their final contractor selection
6. PHB prepares, and the client signs, the final Home Repair Loan documents and construction agreement
7. Once PHB funds the loan, the client contacts the contractor to schedule and begin completing work
8. During construction, both the client and PHB review, inspect and approve periodic construction draws along with a signed Disbursement Request Form
9. If necessary, the client and contractor complete a Change Order Form, and then submit it to PHB for approval prior to performing related work 
10. Upon completion of the job, the client and PHB perform a walk through and final inspection for work that was not subject to a permit or other inspections
11. The contractor sends a final invoice to the client who, if satisfied with the work, then forwards the invoice to PHB along with any final permits and a signed Disbursement Request Form
12. PHB performs the final inspection and approves final payment to the contractor

PHB is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Housing Provider

PHB Contact Information

For more information about these requirements and procedures please contact your assigned PHB Construction Coordinator, or one of the following Construction Coordinators/Lead-based Paint Risk Assessors:

Connie Buckley at connie.buckley@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3411; fax is 503-279-3941

Kathy Milliken at kathy.milliken@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3251; fax is 503-865-3439