April 3, 2013

We support the Portland safety net.

April 4, 2013

Portland Center Stage’s (PCS) spring show, Clybourne Park, is giving theater goers the chance to support local housing nonprofits.

Two of our community partners, in partnership with PCS, are offering a $5 discount on tickets to the show. Ticket holders can use one of two promotional codes for the savings, and PCS will donate $10 to the housing nonprofit!

Proud Ground, through a unique land trust model, provides opportunities for lower income families and individuals to achieve the dream of homeownership. To support Proud Ground, enter “PROUD” in the promo code section when you buy tickets online.

The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) works to end housing discrimination in Oregon and Southwest Washington. FHCO provides landlord and tenant education, and helps enforce the laws which protect individuals from discrimination. To support FHCO, enter “FairHouse” in the promo-code section.

Clybourne Park shares a story about neighborhood racial tension in 1950s Chicago. The play makes us evaluate what has or not changed in our society. The playbill asks: “When our houses become our homes, and our neighborhoods become our identities, what will we do to protect them?” The play gives the audience a chance to re-live the challenges of the 1950s, and examine those that are still happening today.

Enjoy an evening of theater and support your local nonprofits!

Clybourne Park

April 9 - May 5

Portland Center Stage

Main Stage

Buy tickets online

April 4, 2013

Today, we came across an interesting article on the Oregon Housing Blog that reports how older adults are struggling to afford their homes in retirement.

The report shows how renters aged 65 and older spend, on average, 46% of their income on housing. Many older adults living on fixed incomes just cannot compete against the housing market’s growing rents in the community.

The blog links to Robert Powell’s article “Housing, health-care costs are retirement killers,” which examines how the cost of housing for older adults is a major burden after retirement. Powell writes “the inescapable truth about retirement is that housing is year-in and year-out a budget buster.”

The Portland Housing Bureau’s top priority is to build and preserve affordable homes.  In 2008, we launched the 11x13 campaign when we identified 11 buildings that were at risk of losing their federal subsidies by the end of 2013. With our partners, we have preserved affordable homes for more than 650 vulnerable Portlanders. Many of the 11x13 properties secure affordable homes for older adults in our community.

Thanks to our partners for helping us ensure that everyone – including older adults in our community – has a safe and affordable home.

photo courtesy of Oregon Housing Blog

Housing Choice Act offers the right solution for tenants, landlords: Guest opinion

Chris Bonner and Marc Jolin in The Oregonian

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Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Council Will Talk Apartment Parking this Afternoon. Temper your Expectations

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Paranoid Parking

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Portland City Council to take up proposed parking minimums for apartment buildings

Elliot Njus in The Oregonian

Fish Will Try to Amend Apartment Parking Rules on Thursday

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Letters: Section 8 Housing

Chuck Fisher and John Miller in The Oregonian

April 8, 2013

Still have what it takes on the court? Come out and play on April 24 during Portland Parks & Recreation’s basketball event for some area high school alumni.

The basketball games - “Old Timers”- will be hosted at Peninsula Park Community Center. To play, you need to be 27 or older and be an alumnus from Grant, Jefferson, Roosevelt, or Holy Redeemer High Schools.

Connect with old friends and meet new ones.  Find your old competitive side and most importantly: have fun. As Michael Jordan put it, “Just play. Have Fun. Enjoy the game.”

To learn more about the “Old Timers” game or to sign up to play, contact Danielle Solomon of PP&R at (503) 823-6175 or danielle.solomon@portlandoregon.gov.

“Old Timers” Basketball

April 24, 7 pm- 9 pm

Peninsula Park Community Center

Grant, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Holy Redeemer basketball players sought for "Old-Timers" event

Larry Bingham in The Oregonian