Public Pressure on Home Forward Ramps Up

Portland city councilors are increasing scrutiny of Home Forward, the city’s housing authority that manages 7,000 affordable apartments, after investigations revealed a 10% vacancy rate, six-month average turnover times for empty units, and struggles with nonpayment of rent and drug markets in buildings. The council is debating how to spend $20 million in unspent Portland Housing Bureau funds, with proposals including rent buydowns to help financially distressed affordable housing providers, though some councilors like Eric Zimmerman question whether this amounts to a bailout for Home Forward’s operational failures. Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney has proposed withholding public funding from Home Forward unless it meets occupancy standards, while interim housing bureau director Michael Buonocore (Home Forward’s former executive director) argues the entire affordable housing sector faces a “near crisis” due to rising operating costs outpacing rental income growth.