Affordable Housing Wins at Metro

Last week Metro considered whether to fund several programs at a public budget hearing, including two programs that are essential to advancing Metro’s mission and have significant positive impacts on underserved populations: (1) A new $850,000 Regional Housing Fund; and (2) Funds to continue Metro’s Nature in Neighborhood (NIN) Restoration Grant Program.
 
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WIN
 
By a 4-3 vote, Metro supported the creation of an $850,000 Regional Housing Fund, the first of its kind at Metro.  This vote demonstrates Metro’s commitment to sustain and fulfill its promise to those in need of affordable housing.  Everyone deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to live, and this small investment is an important step toward that goal.  CLF would especially like to thank Councilor Robert Liberty for his hard work and dedication in leading the way for this Fund.  Along with Councilor Liberty, the other Councilors who voted in favor of the Fund were Carl Hosticka, Carlotta Collette, and President David Bragdon. 
 
The $850,000 funding comes at a time when affordable housing is desperately needed for low-income families, people with disabilities, seniors and people of color.  The funding will be used to invest in affordable housing projects in Metro’s 2040 Growth Concept areas, specifically mixed-income, mixed use, and green housing for families with below average incomes located in the centers, corridors and light rail station areas designated for future growth.
 
NIN RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM
 
Funding for the NIN Restoration Grant Program was decreased to $97,000, down from $250,000 last fiscal year. The program was originally slated to be cut entirely due to budget cuts, so restoration of just over a third of the funds is a partial victory. It will be critical to fully fund the program in the future.
 
The NIN Restoration Grant Program provides an important source of non-capital restoration funding to complement the Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants Program approved by the voters in 2006.  It is also an important way to develop viable natural area restoration and enhancement projects in neighborhoods with little existing civic capacity.