Assessing Housing Affordability in Portland, Oregon

Objective:

To understand community perceptions of housing affordability in Portland, Oregon, identify barriers to affordable living, and recommend strategies to address the city’s growing housing crisis.

Methodology:

We conducted an anonymous Typeform survey to collect insights from Portland residents, renters, homeowners, and local business owners. The survey was distributed via targeted Meta ads to ensure a representative sample across various income levels and neighborhoods.

  • Survey Duration: 4 weeks

  • Total Responses: 1,700

  • Respondent Breakdown:

    • Renters: 55%

    • Homeowners: 30%

    • Local Business Owners: 10%

    • Other Stakeholders: 5%

Key Questions:

  1. How would you describe your current housing situation?

  2. On a scale of 1-10, how affordable do you feel housing is in Portland?

  3. What are the greatest challenges you face related to housing?

  4. How confident are you in the city’s ability to address housing affordability?

  5. What housing initiatives would you prioritize (e.g., rent control, more affordable developments, tenant protections)?

Findings:

  1. Housing Affordability Perceptions:

    • 78% of respondents rated housing affordability as “poor” or “very poor.”

    • Renters, in particular, reported high levels of housing insecurity, with 62% stating that they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

  2. Challenges Faced:

    • 46% identified rising rent prices as the most significant barrier to housing stability.

    • 38% cited lack of affordable housing developments as a key issue.

    • Homeowners expressed concerns about rising property taxes, with 41% citing it as a financial strain.

  3. Confidence in City Leadership:

    • Only 28% of respondents believe the city is effectively addressing housing affordability.

    • 61% expressed frustration with what they perceive as slow progress and lack of transparency in housing policy initiatives.

  4. Community Priorities:

    • 55% supported increased funding for affordable housing developments.

    • 47% advocated for stronger tenant protections, such as rent control and eviction moratoriums.

    • 42% recommended incentives for developers to build more affordable units.

  5. Impact on Businesses:

    • Local business owners highlighted the housing crisis as a workforce challenge, with 53% reporting difficulty retaining employees due to the high cost of living.

Actionable Recommendations:

  1. Increase Affordable Housing Development:

    • Fast-track permits for affordable housing projects.

    • Provide tax incentives to developers who build affordable units in high-demand areas.

  2. Strengthen Tenant Protections:

    • Implement rent control measures to cap yearly rent increases.

    • Expand tenant assistance programs, including legal aid for eviction cases.

  3. Address Workforce Housing Needs:

    • Collaborate with local employers to create workforce housing initiatives that prioritize middle-income earners.

    • Encourage mixed-use developments that include affordable units near major business hubs.

  4. Boost Transparency and Public Engagement:

    • Launch a “Portland Housing Solutions” portal to track ongoing housing initiatives and share progress with the community.

    • Host quarterly forums where residents can voice concerns and provide input on proposed policies.

  5. Leverage Underutilized Spaces:

    • Convert vacant commercial properties into affordable housing units.

    • Explore modular housing solutions to reduce costs and speed up construction.

Impact:

The survey revealed a widespread consensus on the need for more proactive measures to address housing affordability in Portland. Following the survey, city leaders began discussions with local developers, nonprofits, and advocacy groups to fast-track affordable housing projects and implement tenant-focused policies. Additionally, business associations are exploring housing partnerships to retain talent and reduce employee turnover.

Conclusion:

Portland’s housing crisis requires bold action informed by community input. This survey highlights the voices of those directly impacted and offers a roadmap for creating a more equitable and affordable housing market in the city.