An adequate inventory of affordable housing improves the health of a community by creating jobs and opportunities for economic development, increased job retention, individual health, and overall stability. To meet Portland's current affordable housing need, 20,000 additional affordable housing units are needed. These additional units would increase the percentage of housing units that are regulated and affordable to households to 15%.

The percentage of Portland's housing units that are regulated and affordable to households has remained steady. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines affordable housing as housing with monthly costs, including utilities other than telephone, that do not exceed 30% of a household's monthly income.

These numbers represent the total affordable housing inventory as a percentage of Portland's overall housing stock. Each year, Metro (the regional government for the Portland metropolitan area) updates the affordable housing inventory for the region.

Detailed information on Portland's housing stock and affordability can be found in the Portland Housing Bureau's State of Housing Report and in Metro's Affordable Housing Inventory data.