Black homeownership in Portland
As you may know, The Portland House Hunters at Think Real Estate are focused on building community as much as we are helping you buy or sell your home. We value the personal experiences of individuals living in the Portland Metro area and know that owning a home- specifically paying taxes on that home, gives you a seat at the proverbial table a.k.a your voice when it comes to state and local government. That being said, we want to share some information with you on a topic near and dear to our hearts- Black home ownership, or more specifically how we can support the revitalisation of Portland's historically black and brown communities through homeownership.
Portland, Oregon is known as a vibrant city full of eclectic culture, lush greenery, and commitment to sustainability. With a thriving arts scene, a world-renowned food and coffee culture, and a love for all things local, Portland embraces its quirky and progressive reputation with pride. But just beneath Portland’s rich tapestry of experiences is a long history of redlining, urban renewal displacement, and exclusionary housing policies that have disproportionately impacted Black residents. Thus it's important that we fully understand the city's historical racism that is still deeply rooted today. National black home ownership trends show slow improvement, Portland’s disparities remain especially stark, requiring targeted efforts to close the homeownership gap and promote housing equity.
Nationally, the Black homeownership rate stands at approximately 44%, significantly lower than the 72% rate for white Americans. This 28-percentage-point gap has remained persistent due to systemic factors like discrimination, income disparities, and limited access to credit. In contrast, Oregon’s Black homeownership rate is even lower at 34% as of 2020, with a wider disparity compared to the state's 66% white homeownership rate. The Portland metro area follows this trend, with an overall homeownership rate of 52.8%, but Black homeownership rates are likely even lower than the state average.
Unfortunately there is no widely available data on Black homeownership in the Portland metro area due to data collection limitations, lack of localised reporting, and systemic barriers. National and state-level sources, like the U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey (ACS), often aggregate racial homeownership data, but Portland’s small Black population (less than 6%) makes metro-specific statistics less frequently reported. Additionally, local governments and housing agencies have not prioritised tracking Black homeownership separately, instead focusing on broader racial disparities. The history of redlining and displacement in Oregon has also contributed to persistently low Black homeownership, but housing advocacy groups like Habitat for Humanity Portland Region are working to improve access and push for better local data collection.
For decades, urban renewal in Portland, Oregon, has disproportionately displaced Black homeowners- particularly in the Albina district, the heart of the city’s Black community. In the mid-20th century, large-scale infrastructure projects, including the construction of Interstate 5, the Memorial Coliseum, and the Emanuel Hospital expansion, led to the demolition of hundreds of Black-owned homes and businesses. Many families were forced out with little compensation or assistance in securing new housing. These displacements compounded the effects of redlining, which had already restricted Black residents from accessing home loans and building generational wealth. Rather than investing in Black neighborhoods, city policies often prioritized development that catered to wealthier, predominantly white residents.
By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, gentrification further eroded Black homeownership in Portland. Rising property values and taxes in historically Black neighbourhoods, such as those in North and Northeast Portland, made it difficult for longtime residents to remain in their homes. Many were pushed to the suburbs or out of the city altogether. In response, Portland has implemented policies like the North/Northeast Preference Policy, which aims to help displaced families return to their communities through affordable housing initiatives. However, these efforts have been criticized as inadequate in addressing the decades of systemic displacement and lost wealth. Today, the effects of urban renewal continue to shape racial disparities in homeownership, illustrating the long-term consequences of policies that marginalized Black communities in the name of development.
The fight for Black homeownership and the revitalization of historically Black and Brown communities in Portland requires collective effort. While policies and systemic changes are essential, real progress also comes from community-driven initiatives and direct support. That’s why we encourage you to learn more about and contribute to the organizations listed below. These groups are actively working to promote housing equity, provide resources for Black homebuyers, and advocate for policies that foster long-term stability in Portland’s Black communities. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, your support can help create pathways to homeownership, strengthen communities, and ensure that Portland remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to build generational wealth. Together, we can help shape a more inclusive and equitable future.
Portland, OR
One of Oregon's oldest civil rights and social service organizations, empowering African-Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security, and quality of life.
Portland, OR
A community-based organization that renovates and revives homes for Black families, aiming to combat gentrification and support long-term homeownership.
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region
Portland, OR
Through its Advancing Black Homeownership initiative, this organization collaborates with Black families to facilitate first-time homeownership, addressing racial disparities in housing.
African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH)
Portland, OR
A HUD-approved housing counseling agency offering services like first-time homebuyer counseling, foreclosure prevention, estate planning, and home repair assistance to help families obtain and sustain their homes.
Portland, OR
A nonprofit organization providing education, counseling, financial resources, and other home-buying support to ensure all Portland residents have equal access to homeownership opportunities.
PDX Housing Solidarity Project
Portland, OR
A volunteer group connecting individuals with resources to Black and Indigenous homebuyers, promoting wealth redistribution and supporting homeownership in Portland.
Portland, OR
A grassroots organization uniting people of African descent to advance equity through community organizing, political participation, leadership development, and advocacy.
Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Portland, OR
Provides various homebuying support for low-income families, including down payment assistance programs to help first-time homebuyers.
Black Resilience Fund
A program of the nonprofit Brown Hope, the Black Resilience Fund is dedicated to fostering healing and resilience by providing direct financial assistance to Black Portlanders. Since January 2023, they have provided 25 households in Multnomah County with a 3-year guaranteed basic income, supporting goals such as homeownership, entrepreneurship, and financial stability.