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Seven projects have been awarded a total of $23 million for preservation efforts to keep affordable housing accessible in the city of Portland.

The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) last week announced the awardees of the Spring 2025 Preservation Request for Proposals (RFP) and the preservation of 484 affordable units within the seven projects across eight sites.

Capital improvements will extend the useful lifetimes of these buildings and increase energy efficiency and address livability and safety concerns for tenants. The RFP made available approximately $23 million in HOME, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) dollars, according to a PHB news release.

PHB regulates more than 17,000 affordable housing units in more than 400 buildings, with other projects in Portland regulated by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and federal rental assistance agreements. Like any capital asset, over time, these buildings require reinvestment to continue providing safe, affordable housing, a PHB news release states.

Following a competitive solicitation process, the bureau will fund seven proposals and preserve at least 484 affordable units and 11 commercial units, with new regulated affordability periods of 60 years or more. The projects include health and life safety repairs, as well as improvements to modernize the buildings and increase livability for residents.

Four of the seven projects will incorporate energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements, made possible through funding from PCEF. These awards support the city of Portland’s Climate Investment Plan goal of reducing carbon emissions and help protect low-income communities from the impacts of the climate, according to the city.

Funded proposals are in the early stages of predevelopment. Projects include:

• 333 Oak Street — 333 Oak Street is a building with 90 affordable units. Built in 1909, it primarily serves seniors and people with disabilities with incomes up to 30 percent Area Median Income (AMI), with all units receiving project-based rental assistance. The project team includes developer Northwest Housing Alternatives, architect KASA Architects, general contractor Walsh Construction Co., and construction manager Whitman Development LLC. Work will involve elevator modernization, new windows, new LED lighting, a sprinkler upgrade, full plumbing repair and replacement of unit heating/cooling with heat pumps. The $15.9 million estimated project is scheduled to start construction in 2026;
• the Group 8 Project — Ruth Haefner Plaza and Holgate House Apartments, also known as the Group 8 Project, are two buildings built in 1971 and 1983, respectively, with 153 units combined. It will undergo a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion. Both buildings serve primarily seniors and people with disabilities at or below 30 percent AMI, and all units will have project-based vouchers. The project team includes developer Home Forward, architect Holst Architecture and general contractor Walsh Construction Co. The project team is applying for a 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) as public housing to LIHTC conversion/recapitalization, Portland Housing Bureau spokesperson Gabriel Mathews shared in an email.
• Building A (Ruth Haefner) will involve seismic reinforcement, a plumbing system replacement, elevator modernizations, structural masonry repairs with new sealing and insulation, HVAC installation in common areas and new windows. In unit kitchens and bathrooms will be remodeled, and there will be upgrades to ADA units.
• Building B (Holgate House) will involve a roof replacement, ADA upgrades, seismic upgrades, security/access upgrades and sprinkler upgrades. It will also involve replacing windows and replacing heating in common areas and units, as well as solar panels. The approximately $80.6 million project is slated to start construction in 2026.
• Taggart Manor — Taggart Manor is a 23-unit project built in 1960 and serves families in recovery with up to 50 percent AMI. The project is being led by Central City Concern. An architect and general contractor have not been selected. Work in the units will include new kitchen and bathroom appliances, water heater replacements, a lighting replacement and adding mini splits to the bedrooms. It will also involve a full-system electrical replacement, solar install and two EV charging spaces. The $2.2 million project is scheduled to begin in 2026.
• The Whitmarsh Building — The Whitmarsh Building is a 60-unit project built in 1912 serving lower-income, single-adult households, with units regulated at 50 and 60 percent AMI. The project team includes developer Innovative Housing Inc., architect LRS Architects and general contractor Bremik Construction. Work will involve sidewalk vault repair and sidewalk replacement, roof replacement, upgraded insulation and seismic bracing, as well as replacement of the rooftop HVAC, rooftop solar array and lightwell windows. The $5.2 million project is scheduled to start in 2026.
• McCuller Crossing — McCuller Crossing is a 40-unit project built in 2001 that serves low-income families and single adult households with units regulated at 60 percent AMI. The project team includes developer REACH CDC, general contractor Walsh Construction Co., and construction management by Housing Development Center. An architect has not been selected. The work will involve roof replacement, gutter replacement, siding/envelope replacement, window replacement, paint/flooring replacement in common areas and on the exterior and LED lighting in common areas. In-unit work will involve installing heat pumps and LED lighting. The $11 million project will start in 2026.
• Albina Corner — Albina Corner is a 48-unit project built in 1996 that serves low-income families and single-adult households with units regulated at 60 percent AMI. The project team includes developer REACH CDC, general contractor Walsh Construction Co. and construction management by Housing Development Center. An architect has not been selected. Work on the project will involve column repair or replacement, stair repair and water management, siding and window replacement, sealing of exterior masonry, adding a new trash enclosure, repairing the parking lot and replacing the common area lighting. In-unit work will involve adding new Energy Star refrigerators and finish/fixture upgrades. The $17.9 million project will begin construction in 2026.
• Villa de Mariposas — Villa de Mariposas is a 70-unit project built in 2004 and serves low-income families, with units regulated at 30 and 60 percent AMI. Hacienda CDC is leading the project. The design will be in-house. A general contractor has not been selected. Work will involve an exterior refresh, window replacement and mold remediation. The $4.25 million project will begin later this year or in 2026.