Details

Title	The Revitalization of Vacant Properties: Portland, Oregon Case Study
Highlights	There is implicit recognition that lengthy approval processes hinder affordable housing development.   This case study recommends that public officials streamline the disposition of tax-foreclosed properties to accommodate affordable housing.                       There is implicit recognition that excessive fees hinder affordable housing development.   This case study recommends waiving fees for affordable housing development.                       There is implicit recognition that land use plans do not support affordable housing development.   This case study recommends that the comprehensive plan be updated to encourage affordable housing development.                       There is implicit recognition that local jurisdictions do not support redevelopment and infill development to increase affordable housing opportunities.   This case study recommends that infill and redevelopment strategies be implemented to increase affordable housing opportunities.                       There is implicit recognition that zoning codes exclude affordable housing development.   This case study recommends that height requirements be waived on a case-by-case basis to accommodate affordable housing.
Description	This case study was published by the International City/Council Management Association to evaluate how the city of Portland, Oregon addressed housing abandonment. According to the case study, the city created the Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Task Force in 1998 in response to a high number of vacant homes. The task force found 2,900 vacant houses throughout the city, which they determined to be contributing to blight. To address the issue, the task force made the following recommendations to utilize vacant buildings to increase affordable housing opportunities: update the comprehensive plan with a program that would encourage neighborhood revitalization, actively acquire vacant properties, and work with the county to streamline the disposition of tax-foreclosed properties. Other recommendations included enhancing the design of infill residential development, redeveloping parking lots to accommodate housing and mixed-use development, waiving height requirements on a case-by-case basis, and providing fee waivers for affordable housing development.
Publication Date	2001
Organization	International City/County Management Association
Web Location	http://www.lgean.org/documents/Revitalization%20of%20Vacant%20Properties%20-%20Portland,%20OR%20Case%20Stud.pdf

Notice: The contents of this record reflect the views of the author and/or promulgating municipality, and should not be construed as representing the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or U.S. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research. No attempt has been made by U.S. HUD or its contractors to verify the accuracy, currency, or validity of the record contents presented herein.