Oregon Legislature Approves $5M for Port of Portland and Hacienda CDC to Create Mass Timber Modular Housing Prototypes
On December 14th, the Oregon Legislature, in Special Session, approved a $5 million appropriation for the Port of Portland and Hacienda Community Development Corporation to build prototypes of modular housing units, made from mass timber, that can be deployed to various sites throughout Oregon.
The mass timber modular manufacturing facility at the Port’s Marine Terminal 2 aims to support Oregon’s emerging mass timber industry, grow regional economic development opportunities, create career pathways and business opportunities for struggling communities, and accelerate housing production.
The Port and Hacienda joined together with the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition to create a strategy to accelerate housing production. Speaking to the Legislature, Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland, said: “Legislative funding will help pay for Hacienda CDC and the Port of Portland to develop, manufacture and deploy prototype modular houses made from mass timber in at least three Oregon communities in the next 12-24 months. The prototype housing units will be barged and trucked from Terminal 2 to communities throughout Oregon to provide housing opportunities to communities in need.”
Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC said: “Hacienda’s core mission is providing affordable housing for individuals and families in our community. As affordable housing needs continue to evolve, we are committed to exploring and advancing new ways to meet the needs of our diverse Oregon communities. This partnership with the Port of Portland fills a gap for modular housing developed right here in Oregon, providing not only new housing options but job opportunities and new markets for Oregon wood products. Additionally, developing modular homes will address construction labor shortages in smaller and rural Oregon communities and could offer rapid response options to address housing shortages created by emergencies, like wildfires. We appreciate the Legislature’s investment and the opportunity to partner with the Port of Portland.”
Robinhold continued, “Given the magnitude of need for more housing options for people at all income levels throughout Oregon, it’s clear that we need innovation and faster ways to produce homes. The modular home building industry is emerging, and no factories in Oregon are currently using mass timber technology. Prototyping will put existing research to a new use and demonstrate potential for new modular building concepts. Once tested, manufacturing can be scaled up leading to improved supply and reduced costs, reduced build times and less waste of materials.”
Following the creation of the prototype, Port of Portland and Hacienda will assess the economic, environmental and efficiency of creating these units at scale. Additional potential benefits cited by the partners include: additional jobs in manufacturing, construction and forestry; supporting Oregon’s emerging mass timber industry; and addressing severe housing shortages throughout the state.
Listen to Ernesto and Curtis discuss this project on OPB’s Think Out Loud.
About Port of Portland
Established in 1891 by the Oregon Legislature, the Port of Portland owns four marine terminals, three airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, and Troutdale) and five industrial parks. The mission of the Port is to enhance the region's economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets.
About Hacienda CDC
Hacienda CDC was formed in 1986 to provide necessary housing and supportive services in a low-income, predominantly Latino community. Hacienda has since built 381 units of community-centered affordable rental housing in communities in North and Northeast Portland and in Molalla. Today, Hacienda is building new affordable housing in NE Portland and Gresham and will more than double the number of affordable homes they offer in the next two years. Hacienda embraces a holistic approach to development and serving Latinos and low-income individuals and families throughout Portland with programs in Community Economic Development, Homeownership Support, and Youth & Family Support Services. Hacienda has grown to become Oregon’s largest Latino-led, Latino-serving housing organization. As Portland’s Latino population has grown rapidly, Hacienda continues building capacity to offer bicultural services to Latinos and other low-income families throughout the Portland metropolitan area.
Want to help increase access to affordable housing in our community? Submit a Design Request for Proposal.