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Downtown Portland

Portland

Spreading the Wealth, Stopping the Sprawl

When Portland, Oregon, was chartered in 1843, it was overshadowed by Oregon City, 12 miles up the Willamette River. Within a few years, though, Portland began attracting the shipping and lumber industries, since it was the farthest point inland where ships could reliably sail. By the late 19th century, it was the major port in the Pacific Northwest; and at the turn of the century, Portland became a gateway for immigrants from Western Europe, China, and Japan.

portland
Portland neighborhood

Over the last two decades, Portland has enjoyed an economic boom that was largely supported by growth in high technology industries. The diverse, expanding economy attracted workers from California and other neighboring states. From 1990 to 2000, the population in the City of Portland increased 21 percent, according to the US Census, and the metropolitan region attracted over 90,000 new residents.

But the high technology industry has not spread the wealth evenly. While adding 180,000 jobs to the regional economy, it has left behind considerable numbers who lack the skills necessary to compete. While Portland’s average income is in the top ten in the United States, many have been unable to keep up with the housing market. Currently, according to the Enterprise Foundation, Portland is among the 10 least affordable housing markets in the country. High property values reduced homeownership levels over the last decade for lower income residents. Meanwhile, the average rent increased by about 20 percent.

But Portland has a strong tradition of facing these problems. Since the founding of REACH Community Development in 1982, CDCs have had a major role in community development, and over the last decade Portland's community development industry has become a model for a comprehensive, cooperative approach to housing. Affordable Housing Now! and other coalitions are campaigning for public support for housing programs, and the Enterprise Foundation has worked with CDCs to develop over 3,000 new homes in the last decade. The city is now engaged in a housing program with the goal of building 3,500 more affordable homes over the next six years, of which Enterprise and Portland CDCs plan to build around 1,000.