Five affordable housing projects around Portland just got extra money to build them more efficiently, and every one of them has a named contractor.
The Portland Housing Bureau announced Oct. 12 that it picked the five projects for grants from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, better known as PCEF. According to the bureau's announcement, the projects are expected to produce 327 new affordable homes. The money will help pay for things like in-unit mini-split heating and cooling, rooftop solar arrays, high-efficiency insulation and other upgrades meant to lower operating costs and keep residents comfortable.
The funds came through a competitive solicitation this summer under PCEF's Strategic Program 1, a grant program set up in 2023 and run through the Housing Bureau that provides up to $60 million over five years to regulated affordable housing in Portland. The bureau didn't list the size of each award.
"Our expediency in getting these funds out the door means that hundreds of low-income families will soon benefit not only from restricted rents, but lower utility bills and overall healthier homes," said Housing Bureau Interim Director Quisha Light.
The five projects
Flatworks Building, 240 SE Grand Ave. Northwest Real Estate Capital Corp. is developing 143 affordable one- and two-bedroom homes for low-income seniors in the Buckman neighborhood. LMC Construction is the general contractor, with TVA Architects designing and Earth Advantage as the energy consultant. PCEF money will support in-unit heat pumps, high-efficiency central hot water, ventilation and insulation, and a vegetated eco-roof.
Garfield Commons, 3838 NE Garfield Ave. Self Enhancement Inc. is building 59 affordable homes in the King neighborhood, with 16 two- and three-bedroom units for families with children and multigenerational households. Colas Construction is the general contractor. The grant covers in-unit heat pumps, a rooftop solar array, electric hot water and a high-performance building envelope.
Mississippi Heights, 4480 N Mississippi Ave. Also from Self Enhancement Inc., this project has 30 affordable homes in Humboldt, eight of them permanent supportive housing for people who have experienced homelessness. Walsh Construction is the general contractor, and PCEF will help pay for heat pumps, ducted energy recovery ventilators, Energy Star appliances, rooftop solar and a high-performance envelope.
Monarca, 1208/1220 N Jessup St. Hacienda CDC's family-sized building in the Overlook neighborhood is partially built. LMC Construction is the general contractor. The state's Housing Stability Council packet lists the building at 57 units, which matches the 327-home total. City Council also put up $3.5 million to help Hacienda finish it, and PCEF funds will cover heat pumps, ventilation, insulation and Energy Star appliances.
Path Home Family Village, 6125 SE 93rd Ave. Path Home and Edlen & Co. are developing 38 two- and three-bedroom units in Lents for families transitioning out of homelessness, 30 of them with supportive services. Walsh Construction is the general contractor. The grant covers heat pumps, a central energy recovery ventilator, low-flow fixtures, heat-pump water heaters and rooftop solar.
More money coming
The Housing Bureau plans to announce more PCEF money in spring 2027 under Strategic Program 25, which is designed to fund energy improvements and the preservation of existing affordable housing.
That's worth noting for anyone who does retrofit work. Preservation money usually goes toward existing buildings, which means the next round could pay for heat pump conversions, insulation, window replacements and solar on apartment buildings that are already standing.
PCEF itself was created by Portland voters in November 2018, when 65% approved the initiative. According to the city, it was the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by communities on the front lines of climate change.
"This program helps ensure Portland's new affordable housing is not only sustainable, but built to lower costs, reduce carbon, and strengthen resilience for the communities who need it most," said Wendy Koelfgen, multi-unit housing programs manager for PCEF.
Why it matters for Contractors
All five projects have named general contractors, which makes the subcontracting picture clear. LMC Construction is on Flatworks and Monarca, Walsh Construction has Mississippi Heights and Path Home Family Village, and Colas Construction is building Garfield Commons. If you install heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, solar, insulation, eco-roofs or high-performance envelopes, these are the bid lists to be on. The spring 2027 preservation round could open up retrofit work on existing affordable buildings. Contractors who know Earth Advantage and other green building standards, and who can document their work for grant compliance, will have an edge on both.