Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Dexter Announce $12.4 Million for Affordable Housing in Portland

Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Dexter Announce $12.4 Million for Affordable Housing in Portland October 26, 2026 Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), today announced that $12,418,414 in federal funds are coming to Portland to help Oregonians continue to access affordable housing. The funds to Home Forward of Portland will ensure there is no lapse in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program—also known as Section 8—which supports families, the elderly, and Americans with disabilities in accessing affordable housing. “All Oregonians deserve a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Merkley. “As folks in Portland and across Oregon struggle with rising housing costs, we must do everything we can to help families searching for a decent roof overhead. I’ll keep fighting to support public housing authorities across our state and deliver the necessary federal resources to tackle our housing affordability crisis.” “Housing is a human right and it’s essential that federal policies move toward that goal with significant investments in Oregon and nationwide,” said Wyden. “This $12 million-plus in federal resources will help Oregonians working to find housing they can afford in Portland. I’ll never stop working to provide similar affordable housing funds for communities across our state in the ongoing battle to support people working to make ends meet.” “The cost of housing can make or break a family’s budget,” said Bonamici. “Affordable housing programs, such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, are essential safety nets when the housing market can’t meet the needs of the community. This award will enable the Housing Authority of Portland to continue its essential work to support our most vulnerable households and keep roofs over the heads of countless Portland families.” “Safe, abundant, and affordable housing is the bedrock of healthy, thriving communities,” said Dexter. “As housing costs rise, I am so grateful to bring this funding back to Home Forward of Portland to help keep Oregon families housed. I will continue to keep up the fight to deliver the dignified housing every single individual in our state deserves.” The federal funding is being awarded to Home Forward from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its HCV Program. These HCV Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Set-Aside Shortfall funds are provided to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to ensure there is no lapse in the HCV Program. ###