Story perspectives

Portland Faces 1,900 Vacant Affordable Housing Units Crisis

1/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports nearly 1,900 affordable Portland units are vacant, representing over 7% of the city's affordable housing.
Administrative issues and rising evictions drive vacancies, while many tenants abandon waitlists for market-rate options.
In 2024, Multnomah County affordable-housing providers reported a loss of $411 per unit, versus a $963 per-unit profit in 2015, and Home Forward halted a rent increase at The Yards, where 57% of units remain empty.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports nearly 1,900 affordable Portland units are vacant, representing over 7% of the city's affordable housing.
Administrative issues and rising evictions drive vacancies, while many tenants abandon waitlists for market-rate options.
In 2024, Multnomah County affordable-housing providers reported a loss of $411 per unit, versus a $963 per-unit profit in 2015, and Home Forward halted a rent increase at The Yards, where 57% of units remain empty.