First Advisor

Rebecca Summer

Date of Award

Spring 6-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science and University Honors

Department

Political Science

Language

English

Subjects

Housing -- Oregon -- Portland, Inclusionary housing programs -- Oregon -- Portland, Housing -- Research, Housing policy -- Research

DOI

10.15760/honors.1431

Abstract

In this thesis I ask: What policies should the City of Portland, Oregon, enact to increase the supply of affordable housing? To answer this question, I first outline the current state of housing in Portland and current policies affecting housing in Portland. I then provide a review of scholars' findings on effective housing policies in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Thailand. Finally, I compare these scholars' recommendations to the current policies in Portland to determine what policies the City of Portland should maintain, how policies can be improved, and what policies should be considered for new implementation. I find that the City of Portland is practicing many policies that are in line with scholars' recommendations, but also has room to improve. Primarily, Portland's mandatory Inclusionary Housing program, which is a crucial component of its affordable housing programs, follows scholars' recommendation by offering various options with multiple incentives to provide choice to housing developers. The City offers density bonuses, tax incentives, and parking mandate exemptions as part of their Inclusionary Housing program and separate from it. However, Portland should also consider implementing other policies, such as land subsidies, joint ventures, expanding land banking practices, and more. I also recommend further analysis on the Inclusionary Housing program's effect on housing production rates, Oregon's statewide rent cap, and Portland's rental relocation assistance program overall.

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/40650

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