Land use planning efforts are often criticized for disregarding their effects on affordable housing. 1000 Friends of Oregon has strongly integrated housing affordability efforts into our work. In 1994, then Executive Director Robert Liberty spearheaded the creation of the Coalition for a Livable Future, an alliance of community groups in the Portland area dedicated to addressing the links among a variety of issues, from housing to water quality, food security to urban design, economic inequality to transportation choices.

Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goal 10 (Housing) eliminates zoning barriers to building affordable housing, by requiring cities and counties to "provide for the housing needs of citizens of the state" by encouraging "adequate numbers of ... housing units at price ranges and rent levels which are commensurate with the financial capabilities of Oregon households." The planning laws forbid "snob zoning," zoning which prohibits apartment buildings or other multifamily housing, manufactured housing or government assisted housing.

The struggle to ensure affordable housing, and dispel the myths blaming Oregon’s planning efforts for housing price increases, continues. With your help, we can continue our efforts to provide affordable housing for all.

Documents
The Coalition for a Livable Future
Myths and Facts about Urban Growth Boundaries
Four Problems with NAHB’s Affordability Rankings
Q & A on Affordable Housing

New! Toolbank
A Guide to Federal and State Housing Resources (PDF, HTML)
Funding Tools for Affordable Housing (PDF, HTML)
Affordable Housing Web Resources (PDF, HTML)
Local Funding Resources for Affordable Housing (PDF, HTML)

Housing Resources
Oregon Housing and Community Services Department
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, Urban Division
Statewide Planning Goals
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
A Guide to Portland's Community Development Corporations (CDCs)
More Community Development Resources

General
Local Groups Working to Promote Affordable Housing
Contact Our Affordable Housing Specialist