Homeless & Housing Committee - 2026-01-27
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Homelessness and Housing Committee advanced the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project (AHOP), which proposes comprehensive plan and zoning map changes to 19 properties owned by nonprofit affordable housing providers and public agencies across all four council districts. The ordinance passed committee 4-0 and moves to full council on February 11. The project aims to increase housing capacity by approximately 900 units and preserve 576 existing affordable housing units by removing zoning barriers.
Key Decisions (2)
Affordable Housing Opportunities Project Zoning Amendments
Committee voted 4-0 to advance ordinance 2026-037 to full council, proposing comprehensive plan and zoning map changes to 19 properties owned by nonprofit and public affordable housing providers. Changes would increase housing capacity by approximately 900 units and preserve 576 existing affordable units. Properties include sites owned by Habitat for Humanity, Home Forward, TriMet, Apano, and the City of Portland.
December Committee Minutes Adoption
Committee adopted December 2025 meeting minutes by unanimous consent.
Zoning Changes (5)
Northeast Prescott Street, Cully neighborhood (Habitat for Humanity site)
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region
82nd Avenue and Division Street (Canton Grill site)
Apano
Southeast 17th and Holgate (TriMet site)
TriMet
Southwest Multnomah Boulevard (Sears Armory)
City of Portland
Shrunk Riverview Tower, St. Johns Town Center
Home Forward
Development Activity (5)
Prescott Street Townhomes
16 ownership townhomes planned on 0.75-acre vacant site; requires rezoning from R-7 single dwelling to RM-1 multi-dwelling
Canton Grill Redevelopment
Approximately 60-80 affordable housing units with ground floor community services and commercial space; rezoning from CM-2 (4 stories) to CM-3 for additional height flexibility
TriMet Southeast 17th and Holgate
Half-acre vacant site adjacent to MAX Orange Line station; rezoning from EG-1 employment to CM-2 mixed-use (4 stories) to allow housing
Sears Armory Site
3.5+ acre site currently hosting Multnomah Safe Rest Village; rezoning from EG-2 employment to CM-2 mixed-use to facilitate future affordable housing while maintaining shelter and emergency management use options
Tabor Heights United Methodist Church
Church property proposed for affordable housing development; congregation requested inclusion in AHOP with rezoning from R-5 to CM-1; committee declined to add to current package
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Planning Commission unanimously (9-0) recommended AHOP approval, indicating strong institutional support for removing regulatory barriers to affordable housing development.
Housing Demand
Multiple nonprofit developers testified they cannot begin financing discussions or low-income tax credit negotiations with the state until zoning changes are in place, highlighting zoning as a critical first step in affordable housing pipelines.
Commercial Demand
Staff noted citywide challenges leasing ground-floor retail in mixed-use affordable housing developments, with councilors expressing concern about vacant commercial spaces in affordable housing buildings.
Infrastructure
TriMet sites along Southeast 17th near MAX Orange Line stations identified as high-opportunity locations for transit-oriented affordable housing development.
Sentiment
Neighborhood opposition to Sears Armory rezoning centered on Safe Rest Village concerns and desire for emergency operations center, reflecting ongoing community tensions around homeless shelter siting.