Affordable Housing Faith Forum & Resource Fair

On Thursday, Nov. 15, a Faith Forum and Resource Fair on Affordable Housing will take place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church. Co-sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) and the City of Portland, an invitation to the forum is extended to all faith-based organizations in Portland with interest in developing affordable housing on their property.

The evening will include a panel discussion and a Q&A session with various experts in affordable housing—lenders, developers and city officials.

A resource fair will follow the panel discussion and will allow an opportunity for networking and more information around this topic. Light snacks will be provided. Please RSVP to ksharinghousen@emoregon.org or call Krystal at EMO at (503) 221-1054, ext. 201. 

The agenda is as follows:  

Welcome & Opening Prayer

The Rev. Martin Elfert, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church

Jan Musgrove Elfers, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

 What an Affordable Housing Project by a Faith Community Might Look Like

The Rev. Julia Nielsen, Portsmouth Union Church

Opportunities for Faith Communities to Develop Affordable Housing

Nan Stark, City of Portland, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

Panel Discussion

Travis Phillips, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives

Joni Hartmann, Housing Development Center

Marguerite Feuersanger, Bureau of Development Services

Emily Benoit, Portland Housing Bureau

Ed McNamara, affordable housing developer

Resource Fair, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Participants can speak with representatives from:

• Rose CDC, Sabin CDC, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI), Catholic Charities, Housing Development Center, Heritage Bank
• Joint Office of Homeless Services, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Housing Bureau, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
•  Carleton Hart Architects, The Nielson Group