The Portland Housing Center opened its doors in July 1991.

Inspired by a 1990 series of articles in The Oregonian titled “Blueprint for a Slum,” the Portland Housing Center was originally designed as the educational service provider among community development corporations and social service agencies. Today it has grown into a full-service housing outfitter, providing each customer with education and home buying support.

By 1994, the Portland Housing Center’s education and counseling were no longer enough. Second mortgage loans were offered to fill the gap between homebuyer incomes and appreciating home prices. Lending took on a larger scale when the Portland Housing Center became a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and awarded a loan capital grant of $1.470 million matched by City of Portland funds.

In 1998, the Portland Housing Center reached an organizational milestone, acceptance by NeighborWorks America to become part of the NeighborWorks Network. Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation is a national nonprofit created by Congress in 1974 to revitalize communities through the establishment and support of a national network of community based non-profit organizations, the NeighborWorks Network. Acceptance in the 230-organization network provides access to operating and capital grants, technical assistance, and extensive staff and board training.

In 2000, The Portland Housing Center restructured the home buying program into a linked system allowing for greater customization and individual attention. From this date a yearly review has taken place to ensure effectiveness.

In April 2008, The Portland Housing Center decided to become a mortgage broker of purchase and refinance loans. This decision enabled us to offer loan packages with first and second mortgages to our customers. By providing first mortgages we are able to see our customers all the way through the process to homeownership.

In June 2009, Portland Housing Center was approved as an FHA Title II lender. This extended the Center’s services and allowed for even greater assistance to first time homebuyers with low down payments.

Today we are proud to say that we are part of the NeighborWorks Homeownership Center initiative and rank among the top 20 centers in ‘producing’ new homeowners. We are always embracing change and technology while constantly expanding our range to better reach those who need our services most.