Portland's Housing Crisis: Can Affordable Living Be Fixed?

A Struggle for a Place to Call Home

Ambrose Haynes spent months waiting for help, but it never came. Like many in Portland, he struggled to find affordable housing. The rent was too high, and the options were limited. Eventually, he had to rent an apartment on his own, which cost him a significant amount of money.

A Citywide Problem

Ambrose is not alone. Thousands of people in Portland face the same issue. There are empty apartments designated as affordable, but people can't access them. Landlords are also struggling—the rent they charge isn't enough to cover their costs.

Government Efforts Fall Short

The government is trying to help by funding new apartments, but existing ones are neglected. Many have issues like drug dealing and pests, making them undesirable. The waitlists for these apartments are long, and many never hear back. Some, like Ambrose, give up and try to find housing on their own.

The Rent Paradox

Another challenge is that the rent for affordable apartments is nearly the same as regular ones. Many would rather pay more for a regular apartment than deal with the problems in subsidized housing.

A Call for More Funding

Landlords are asking for more government support to pay debts and lower rent, but the funding isn't enough. This only worsens the crisis.

Technology to the Rescue?

Some are using technology to help match people with available apartments, but it's not enough. Thousands of units remain empty while thousands still need homes.

A Glimmer of Hope

Ambrose is one of the lucky ones. He found an apartment and a job that pays well. But he knows many are still struggling. He hopes the system improves so everyone can have a place to live.