August 22, 2013

Last week, I was honored to join my Council colleagues and our community partners to celebrate the successful completion of our 11 x 13 initiative.

Hawthorne East

We launched 11 x 13 in 2008 when we learned that federal subsidies in 11 apartment buildings, affordable to low-income older adults and people with disabilities, were set to expire by 2013.

That meant more than 700 vulnerable tenants were faced with higher rents, displacement, or even homelessness.

And we risked losing over $120 million in federal subsidies in our community.

Working with a coalition of public, private, and non-profit partners, we worked hard to save all of the at-risk buildings.

In March, our partner REACH CDC received the keys to the Bronaugh – the final 11 x 13 building.

I was pleased to share our “Preservation Story” in the August 16 issue of Street Roots – it represents the best of our work and showcases what we can accomplish together.

Thanks to Will White, Portland Housing Bureau staff, and our outstanding community partners – and to the people who call these eleven buildings “home.”

Please consider supporting your local Street Roots vendor – pick up a copy today.

It's a wrap: Subsidized housing campaign saves nearly 1,000 homes
Wendy Culverwell in The Portland Business Journal

 

City saves 11 affordable housing buildings
Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

 

Getting It Done
U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development